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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to not do a patch test before dying my hair?

91 replies

pisspants · 26/01/2020 09:23

just that. Have bought a different brand to my usual. Have never bothered before. Its saying to do it then check in 48 hours but I want to do it today as not got a lot going on. How risky is it to not do the test? Do most people honestly do it or are the manufacturers just covering their areas? would love to know, will leave mn to.decide for me....

OP posts:

adaline · 26/01/2020 10:55

I'm loving all the people pooh poohing it, like it's nonsense

When you go to a professional salon and never get asked to patch test, it's pretty easy to pass it off as nonsense though.

gamerchick · 26/01/2020 10:55

I’ve always been under the impression that the first time of exposure to an allergen causes sensitisation (in some people, not all of course) and it’s the second or third exposure that causes an allergic reaction or, in the worst case, anaphylaxis.

You can develop and allergy at any time. You could have used a product literally hundreds of times and still develop one.

gamerchick · 26/01/2020 10:57

When you go to a professional salon and never get asked to patch test, it's pretty easy to pass it off as nonsense though.

Not in my world. If a salon didn't ask me to have one then I'd ask. Because I take responsibility for my own shit.

These are chemicals being mixed and exposing your body to it. A bit of common sense goes a long way.

Aimily · 26/01/2020 10:59

My hairdresser is mobile and she's been doing my hair since I was 16, so almost 14 years. I'm white blonde and have been for 6 years (roots are lightened every 6 months) and I put a crazy colour, directions or manic panic dyes over it myself.
She periodically test patches on me with the bleach/lightener she uses, I think every 8 months to a year? But I've never test patched the colours, because I haven't thought to with them being conditioner based...

adaline · 26/01/2020 10:59

Not in my world. If a salon didn't ask me to have one then I'd ask. Because I take responsibility for my own shit.

When I first got my hair dyed I was fourteen and I'd never heard of a patch test.

Summer2003 · 26/01/2020 11:02

@Fluffycloudland77

Those women who end up doing daily mail sad faces in grey jogging bottoms & a baggy t shirt looking like hamsters didn’t patch test.

😂 😂 True! Or Compo face!

WillowKnicks · 26/01/2020 11:03

I'm honestly really shocked that not all salons do patch tests.

I wouldn't be comfortable going to one that didn't!

gamerchick · 26/01/2020 11:04

When I first got my hair dyed I was fourteen and I'd never heard of a patch test

Right, and.. What's your point? You didn't get asked at 14 so therefore they're not necessary?

adaline · 26/01/2020 11:07

Right, and.. What's your point? You didn't get asked at 14 so therefore they're not necessary?

Well, no

But you're saying to take responsibility - I didn't at 14 because I'd never heard of it. You can't know what you don't know.

But looks like you're just after an argument, so I'm out!

firstimemamma · 26/01/2020 11:14

I always do it.

Even if it is 'just companies covering their asses' and the risk is tiny, it's still obviously a risk and I'd never chance it especially when a patch test is so easy to do.

The chance of you having an accident when you go in your car is very small yet you still wear a seat belt (presumably).

My fiancé is a paramedic and I've heard too many bad stories to take a chance, although some people obviously do. It's up to you.

firstimemamma · 26/01/2020 11:16

@PrinkingPreening that may be your experience but every hair dresser I've ever been to has done a patch test. They send me home with it behind my ear and tell me to come back in a couple of days.

catx1606 · 26/01/2020 11:21

Please don't just leave the patch test on for a few hours. The advice is there for a reason. Do you really think only doing it for a few hours will be worth it if you have a severe reaction? You'll be cursing yourself if it does go wrong because you couldn't. I just hope there's no thread on here later from you asking what to do if you have a reaction because you're too impatient to follow the manufacturs safety guidines.

gamerchick · 26/01/2020 11:38

But looks like you're just after an argument, so I'm out!

I'm not looking for an argument I'm just a bit perplexed at your point.

fairynick · 26/01/2020 11:39

I have literally never done a patch test and I think most people don’t bother, but WABU! I read an article about a girl in her thirties who’d been using box dyes for years then all of a sudden had a reaction!

PuppyMonkey · 26/01/2020 11:49

I must admit I don’t bother with it when I’m doing my hair at home, have been using the same brand for years. I know, I’m an idiot - but there you go.

But whenever I’ve been to a salon they’ve always insisted, and they won’t do your hair unless they have a card with the date on saying when you did the patch. With some salons though, I’ve had it where if you then go back within three months (which I usually did) you don’t then need another patch test.

WiseUpJanetWeiss · 26/01/2020 14:51

You can develop and allergy at any time. You could have used a product literally hundreds of times and still develop one

Well exactly, which is why I don’t understand about patch tests. A patch test doesn’t prevent the next exposure from being the one that results in an allergic reaction.

june2007 · 26/01/2020 14:57

wELL IT,S ALL FINE TO THAT TIME WHEN YOUGET A REACTION.They say always do your patch for a reason. If it,s the same colour and brand as one you used before thas one thing but if not then def do it.. 9sorry about the caps.)

gamerchick · 26/01/2020 15:02

Well exactly, which is why I don’t understand about patch tests. A patch test doesn’t prevent the next exposure from being the one that results in an allergic reaction

If your patch test shows a reaction then it's telling you not to use the dye. Is it that hard to comprehend?

Cornettoninja · 26/01/2020 15:08

@WiseUpJanetWeiss well nothing is an absolute fail safe but if you test on a small patch of skin you can observe any irritation that might occur and make a decision on whether to carry on. The beginnings of an allergy might show really subtle signs that you wouldn’t necessarily notice if you weren’t looking for them.

It’s my understanding reactions can be progressive so something that causes a slight rash on one occasion might progress to swelling and sores on the next.

WiseUpJanetWeiss · 26/01/2020 15:13

If your patch test shows a reaction then it's telling you not to use the dye. Is it that hard to comprehend

If your patch test shows a reaction, yes of course it’s telling you not to use the test.

However, a lack of reaction to the patch test is not an indicator that the next exposure (i.e. when you are actually having your hair coloured) will be safe. So it seems to me that a patch test gives false assurance.

HopelessLayout · 26/01/2020 15:23

Well, you could go blind if you don't do it, so is it worth the risk (even if it is a small risk)?

gamerchick · 26/01/2020 15:27

However, a lack of reaction to the patch test is not an indicator that the next exposure (i.e. when you are actually having your hair coloured) will be safe. So it seems to me that a patch test gives false assurance

So are you saying there's no point? Odd way if arguing about a potential safety feature.

Allergy a rareish occurrence, patch test makes it safER. The only way to be sure is not to dye your hair at all. Not just slap it on and hope for the best.

Technonan · 26/01/2020 15:40

The chances are, you'll be OK, but if you aren't - and sometimes people do develop allergies - boy, will you regret it.

GeePipe · 26/01/2020 15:42

Gamerchick was that a photo of you?! Thats so scary i only try to use henna or holland and barratt semi perminant ppd amonia free dyes because im worried by reactions. And i patch test new colours.

I dont understand people who dont tbh and i also dont understand people who claim they never really understood it or knew about it... it became pretty big news when women were starting to react to ppd then the warnings started appearing on all boxes. Why would you ignore the boxs warning? And it never occured that it was a bit weird these warnings that you need to patch test started up.

Sure you could still have a reaction after you patch test but its a little less likely. And im someone who is allergic to things like foods and cosmetics ive previously used no problems hundreds of times. I mostly apply facemasks on my chin first and if i react its washed off asap and if i dont i apply to the rest of my face. Patch testing is important.

cologne4711 · 26/01/2020 16:05

Hairdressers don't do a patch test in advance before they dye your hair

They do. And not only do they do it, they now do it every 12 weeks, too, so if you have your hair dyed or highlighted less often that that you effectively have to go in for a patch test every time.

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