Allergic to Hair Dye

[Mandyandme]

Years ago back in the early 90s I used to dye my hair quite regularly with a particular make of dye that was one tube that you put on your hair after you had washed it, rubbed it in then left it for 20 mins then rinse and Ta Dah nice dyed hair. The packet said it lasted for between 6-8 washes but I found it lasted much longer.

Gradually it became more difficult to get until it was no more. I have tried and tried to find an alternative but the hair dyes available now are minimum semi permanent and when I use them my scalp flames up and I get what I can only describe as thick cradle cap all over my head.
I have tried the hair dyes in the health food shops which have low ammonia in. I have tried a wash in wash out colour rinse, I have even tried going to the hairdressers and explained my problem. They used a particular dye that was supposed to be especially for people like me. They gave me a test which was fine but when I had it done I had patches of clear skin but large patches of cradle cap that stung.

Has anyone any suggestions as I feel no matter what I do I feel ever so grey.

Hi, I'm allergic to hair dye. It's their ppm chemicals in it. I use clairol loving care from amazon, I have been told it's been discontinued but you can still get it. I don't no what I will do then :( I leave it on a lot longer than their instructions say and It works really well.

*ppd

This is why I have decided to just put up with my greys. I'm 33 and have grey above my ears and white 'highlights' across the rest.

My hair doesn't take dye well - at best it just washes out in a week, at worst it doesn't take at all. This is true with home kits or hairdresser jobs.
If I leave it on for as long as the box says my head starts to itch terribly and I panic and wash it out.
My hair grows very fast too so even if I didn't have the above problems I would be dying it every 2-3 weeks.

Life is too short and I am too worried about a serious allergic reaction to keep dying it.

I am going to embrace my greys - although tbh I would rather skip straight to grey as get it over and done with.

There are 2 health food shop hair dye brands. One has the ppd chemical in it, one doesn't.
Herbatint does. Naturtint doesn't.

But it could be any of the other chemicals. It sounds risky to keep dying your hair though.

No matter what I wear or try to do I just look washed out. It is ok if you suit grey hair but I don't.
Geek girl you are relatively young but greying hair plus older age = second class citizen. When I was your age I would not have believed how I would be treated in my 50s. I don't know if any one else has come across this. I am not talking about in work or where people know you but in shops is a classic example do those of you who are of a certain age and your hair has gone more salt than pepper get ignored or I see the reaction of the shop assistant if I ask them anything! it is not just me dd and dh have witnessed it when they have been stood a little way behind me. The fleeting look of pure disdain that crosses their face when they turn to look at me has sometime reduced me to tears when I have got home.

I will certainly try the Loving care. If it is ok I will be stockpiling it. I cannot go on like this.

Why do companies have to put so many chemicals in their products.

Justgotosleep I gave up dying my hair many many years ago. Then I took my dd to have her hair cut, I was explaining to the hairdresser there about my problem and she persuaded me to try the new hyper allergenic hair dye. I had the patch test done and that was clear but the following day after I had dyed it, although patches of skin were clear there were still large patches of the cradle cap stuff covering my head. That was 3 + years ago and I have not been back since.

Have tried both the health food shops dyes and unless they have changed the recipe I am allergic to both.

Mandy you are allergic and you need to stop putting crap on your hair.

A change of mindset is needed. Salt and pepper hair can look wonderful but like most things you need to work out how to make the best of what you have.

What is your grey patterning like? Finding the best hairstyle to accentuate streaks might be a start for example. Using silvering shampoos can really help make the hair look glossy and the silver shimmer.

Personally I would start with a make-up consultation. Very often when women go grey they try and mute their make-up and clothing when actually what is required is more contrast.

Google some pictures on pinterest of silver hair- you will soon see that is can look marvellous.

I am currently in the process of growing out a buzzcut as I just wanted the whole rigmarole to stop and I was starting to get a reaction to the dark dyes. My skin looks so much better with my natural colour-other shave noticed too. Hope you can find peace with it.

Others have even......

Oh yes and I have salt and pepper and am 39 so fairly young to do this.

I have never worn make up and am not going to start now at the age of 50+ I hate the stuff.

I work in jeans and a T shirt in summer and add a hoody in winter. To give you some idea of my working day this week I am re roofing a garage.

I have tried to go in stores on special occasions when I have needed something more than jeans and a hoodie.
It usually goes like this.
I walk thru the door and either get a "can I help you madam" with the look of OMG you must be lost Primark is at the end of the street or if they don't say anything I am followed around the store like I am going to steal something. Even had a security guard ask to check my bag on the way out on more than one occasion. If I ask for anything I am dismissed with an air of you could not possibly afford this so why are you asking.
Going clothes shopping fills me with dread.

It never used to be like this. I have always dressed the same. I have never worn make up. My face still is wrinkle free. The only change to give my age away is my hair colour which is more mousy grey than the auburn brown it used to be.

I just feel that my life is getting narrower and narrower as I now check myself when I get asked to go out with friends as I know I just don't blend in any more.

Cassia obovata is supposed to build up to a golden colour over time, if you keep using it:

www.amazon.co.uk/Natural-Blonde-Hair-Cassia-Obovata/dp/B00843436C

There are other homemade herbal recipes for darker hair, involving sage and rosemary if I recall. Can't vouch for their effectiveness, but may be worth trying to make a rinse to use regularly?

Sounds like you are stuck in a rut.

Sicaq I am ready to try anything.

Milmingebag I had a quick look on Pinterest and Google and my hair doesn't resemble anything like the people showing off their long silver locks. They did look great but they all looked like they had full warpaint on and the silver locks were out of a bottle. My hair has stayed the same a dull flat mouse with a salting of grey since my 30s. I used to dye it with no problems using a certain brand of hair dye but since they discontinued that the dye washed out and I am left with what I have now. I actually don't think I will ever be completely silver I think this is it for me that is why I am so desperate to colour it.

Mandy have you thought about booking some time with a personal shopper at your local shopping center?
Some are free, and john Lewis debenhams are free.

If you have a specific thing to get they can be great- they will pick the thing you want, and suggest stuff to go with it. That you probably wouldn't have ever looked at, but is usually great. Shopping is their job, you will be guaranteed good service with them.

Also, have a look on Pinterest/ www your colour analysis. I did this and it's brilliant! I am a 'clear winter'. And I'm wearing colours that really suit me now, rather than brown & black.

Maybe post on the style & beauty board for some specific advice?

It is possible to re-rut!

And I totally get that you want to colour it, but frustrated you can't (not at risk to your health anyway)

That's why I'm thinking if you make changes to your clothes it will complement you.
Also, always having a nice tidy haircut is great.

And are you able to have bleach highlights? Making sure the bleach only touches your hair and not scalp at all?

Also, you don't need to wear a load of makeup to wear makeup iyswim

Tinted moisturiser and mascara can look really great.
With a sharp haircut, clothes that suit, you will feel re-rutted

I agree totally with just.

You sound like you feel a bit 'meh' about your appearance. If you feel like you are becoming invisible (and aren't happy) then you can do something about it. New hairstyle, clothes, something or other. :)

I don't wear make up 90% of the time (lazy) but appreciate the difference a bit f mascara or blush make. I also have a very short pixie crop which I think helps me to stand out from the rest of the 'school mum blandness' in the playground.

I've been in the same boat as you for a few years honestly naturtint hair dye at holland and Barrett is absolutely fine. I buy shade 5 a medium brown and only use half of each bottle every. 4 weeks on my roots only so I don't wreck my hair and its fine

If your hair is a 'dull flat mouse with a sprinkling of grey' then it is very likely you are wearing colours that don't suit you and are either too warm or dark.

It sounds like you have a soft colouring. If you wear complementary colours and subtle soft make-up it would,in all likelihood, accentuate your natural beauty.

Your hair may then look like a lovely soft taupe expensive blonde

It's worth looking at sci/art palettes for soft summer/autumn and pinterest too for ideas.

Thanks for all your suggestions.
I have never had any interest in clothes or make up, but my hair was the one thing I did do stuff to. In my 20s it was everything from green to pink to red to blue as well as auburn brown. I am going to buy one of each of your suggestions and do a patch test. I will let you know how I get on.

Lush henna is natural and shouldn't cause a reaction. Application is messy and takes hours but might be worth it for you.

Aw, msfreud beat me to it: henna.
It does not have to be red - my hair is brown with a warm tint (I use Lush henna caca marron). It's great for the condition of my hair and does the trick with the ash blonds AND is dirt cheap .

Once you have a sensitivity to hair dye (dark ones are worse) it is only likely to get worse with every application, so you are better to stay well clear.

Agree with msfreud and PacificDogwood and only opened this to see if anybody else had mentioned it.

I've been dyeing my hair from an early age as I went white very early (in my teens). I'm paranoid about developing an allergic reaction to ppds as well so I did some research and ended up with Surya Henna Colour Cream.

Most natural product I could possibly find.

No mixing so not as messy as henna powder. I have long hair and one 70ml pack lasts two treatments.

Another benefit is that it fades; so no straight white silver lining every two weeks.

I would recommend going a shade darker than you are normally or it can look a bit orange. I think there are videos and blogs on how to use it most effectively (which I watched before ordering).

Oh and my hair feels silky smooth after a treatment too.

The only thing I ever had a problem with was ordering off ecohamster.co.uk so that is not a problem with the product. If you can find a more reliable supplier, let me know.

If in doubt, do a patch test for anything and everything (some people are allergic to henna):
Make up to instructions (or use whatever product) and apply a little to the inside of your elbow where it bends. Leave on for however long you're meant to leave it on, wash off, leave over night and then see if you have any kind of reaction. If it itches quickly, wash off quickly and don't go there for your head.

Have a look at Daniel Field Watercolours - no ppd. However, if you are allergic to ppd you might be allergic to one of the chemicals in some of the darker colours. The website has lots of info. I tried it, first time was fine but I itched after the second time. But subsequently have discovered that it's SLS which makes me itch! I'm currently using Phyto colour enhancing express treatment, lasts 4-6 washes per application. Looks expensive but I've done it 4 times and still got some left.