Hair dye and allergic reactions

[Pseudonymity]

I'm thinking I might need to start dying my hair at some point. Need to use a dark brown dye and it seems the dark dyes are the ones people have allergic reactions to. I am slightly worried as I have a few allergies - quite a strong allergy to suncream such that I can't use it at all as my skin comes out in hives and blisters wherever I put it. Also allergic to scented candles as I discovered yesterday - bloody brilliant, no expensive candle treats for me then.

Was reading around and found out that most dyes in the UK contain this PPD that causes the reaction. Can't find any that don't. However, it has been banned for years in Germany and France - surely there must be hair dyes in those countries. Does anyone know if they are any good?

I'm probably being overly cautious but knowing that I have a propensity for allergies I'm a bit worried. Apparently you can develop the allergy at any time, i.e. between the patch test and using the hair dye . Any help appreciated.

I'm allergic to random things, perfumed soap, some washing powders, the glue on steri strips (ended up with blisters after cs which wasn't good)

Anyway... i've been colouring at home and in the salon for years and (touch wood) haven't had a reaction yet and I use medium and dark browns.

Have you spoken to your hairdresser? I've read on here about more natural dyes. Would they be any good?

I don't know your reasons for dying, and I don't know if henna might cause a reaction, but I actually prefer using henna because it fades in a more natural way, and doesn't contain any bleaches which make my hair look terrible after the dye has faded (I presume the chemical ones have bleach to ensure the dye comes out the right shade).

On the down side, I don't know how good they are at covering grey (for instance) and shade isn't guaranteed so you couldn't match it to your existing colour.

I have an allergy to hair dyes (PPD's) my advice is to always do a skin test on the skin behind your ear, and to leave it 3-4 days instead of the recommended 48 hours.

I have done skin tests and dyed my hair after 48 hours( no reaction on skin test) and ended up with swollen eyes and weeping sores all over my scalp and ears. These are with 'cheap' dyes , so I hate to think what the more expensive ones would do, as they contain more PPD.

Henna is one option, although some people can be allergic to that. Apparently you can buy some hair dyes online that are PPD free, I haven't had chance yet to research a bit more, though will have to soon as the greys are coming through.

I think Clairol do a PPD free semi - I may try that for a while until I can be sure that I get a totally PPD free permanent dye.

I need to cover some greys. Only have a few at the moment but they are v. visible due to the dark colour of my hair.

I have heard with henna that there is no such thing as 'black' henna in nature and in fact anything called black henna should be avoided by people with the allergy as it contains PPD. There is an indigo plant dye that you can use but don't know how easy it is to come by. Don't really want the natural red henna, have seen it used by e.g. Spanish women but the greys show up as bright orange strands .

Will look at the Clairol or try the patch testing behind the ear thing, thanks for that. Any other advice?

i've been home dying for years, but in the last year found my eyes and scalp stinging with any brand I used. I read somewhere on here about Daniel Fields Watercolours, tried it last week-loved it. It is a bit more expensive but no strong smell and more important no stinging. HTH

Watercolours

I have just dyed my hair using the henna block from Lush, after years of using semi-permanents at home - not as easy as home dye, but PPD free and I am pleased with the result. I have quite a lot of grey and it has covered it just as well as my normal colour.

Also bought this online, but it took over a week to arrive, hence using the Lush henna (needed the grey covering for a night out!). PPD free hair colour. Obviously not used it yet, but will give it a go next time around.

I booked in for a patch test before having a colour with an organic Aveda (I think it was) dark brown dye.
It took about 1 day for redness to appear behing the ear, then it spread, and finally had crusty weeping for a week or two in a patch about 5cm square.
Luckily, this was 3 days before my wedding so went au natural on my wedding day and thought I'd had a lucky escape.

Six months later we tried again, and no reaction, so had my whole head coloured.

I'm allergic to PPD and Henna. Clairol's Root Touch up in Dark Brown was the one that made my scalp and behind my ears itch for days and that was a week after I used it. Then after I used henna and indigo from Henna Boys, my neck and ears were burning, red and irritated after 2 weeks. It's now nearly 3 months since I used the henna but I still get the itches. I'm now patch testing Daniel Field's Water Colour so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for no reactions.