Do you do the allergy test EVERY time you colour your hair?

[AutumnWitch]

I used to use semi-permamanet colours and never bothered with the allergy test and had no problems.

I've just switched to permanents and have been a good girl and tested every time. Trouble is I keep forgetting to do it and miss opportunities to colour, so my hair is looking greyer and greyer atm.

Does everyone play by the rules ? I know they're part covering the companies backs and part to pick up the rare bad reactions.

Have you ever had a reaction after being OK for ages?

Do I stop fretting and just get on with it????

No

Are you meant to?

No and no

I know you are meant to though

I've never done an allergy test in my life....

If you read the instructions they warn of DIRE THINGS if you don't test.

I have seen a couple of pictures where people have had allergic reactions, but my mum coloured her hair all her life and never tested.

i think I'd rather watch a film tonight though

maybe tomorrow....

Yes I do the test, since I had a reaction to an organic colour patch test behind my ear.
It went bright red, then dried out and went scaly and spread.
It was 2/3 days before my wedding and I'm so glad they insisted on doing one.

Yes, I do it everytime.

I think I've developed a couple of minor food allergies in my forties so I know allergies can pop up unexpectedly at any time.

Is it possible that with repeated use of a chemical there comes a point when your body finally reacts to it having previously tolerated it?

Having seen pictures of people with scalp and facial burns from hair products I think it's worth the effort.

Well I know you should but I never do

You should but I don't

I never do.
I'm going to show off my dimness and ask if hairdressers do an allergy test?

I've NEVER done it

And I dye my hair A LOT

No hairdresser I've ever been to has tested me either

I've never done it and I always dye my hair

I think you know if you have sensitive skin or not

I react to these things and I tell hairdressers so they don't use them on me!

I have never, ever, done an allergy test. But then I'm not an allergy person at all - don't react to anything. Maybe if I was I'd have thought about it more.

I was told that you MUST test if you've EVER had a henna tattoo, even if it's years ago.

Nope, I've never tested

My hairdresser asked me to go in a couple a days before the appointment.
Couldn't be faffed but they wouldn't colour if I didn't (they refused when I claimed to have forgotten and I had to re-book)

So - if this is a truly scientific and representative sample then most people don't bother to test and have no problems, but it's probably worth doing to be certain.

Now I remember I did have a hairdresser colour without a test

Just been watching Quantum of Solace - bit late to do anything now.

I never tesst despite the fact I do get really itchy scalp afterwards which only lasts a few days
will be balloon face sometime no doubt

never been tested in salon either

After 15 years colouring with no problems I reacted to a brand I must have used 30 times at least. It was awful. Weeping, swollen scalp which crusted up and shed. The whole thing. It was agony and I was so worried my hair would fall out. It didn't, but now I only use henna. You can mix with indigo to get browns and lacks - it doesn't have to be red.

Apparently PPD (the ingredient most with allergies to colour are allergic to) builds up in your system, so that even if you were fine last time, it can kick off at any application!!

Ouch! toddlerama, that sounds nasty. That would certainly encourage me to get organised and test first.

Maybe if it were slightly less faff to do? A clever plaster that mixes the ingredients when you open it so you just put it on?

I used to use henna a lot, loved the red shades, but they go bright orange now.

Never tested and never had a problem. I might do if I had never dyed my hair before, but think I'm immune now.