Minor reaction - is my life with hair dye over?

[BoyMeetsWorld]

After dying my hair at home and various salons for 20 years with no issues, last night I seem to have had a reaction.

My wonderful hairdresser did exactly the same as always - all over tint, same brand and same shampoos etc but did go one shade more ashy (silver tone) than usual.

No issue at all whilst at the salon..But during the night I started feeling like my scalp was really tight, itchy and burny. It was much worse when my head was against the pillow. I couldn't sleep so got up and took some piriton. By morning it still felt the same as did the nape of my neck and a bit in my ears. But I looked in the mirror and definitely no redness or sores at all, just felt like sunburn in my hair.

I washed it really well with gentle products....made a tiny bit of difference but not much. 24 hours later, still feels the same.

Hairdresser has told me to go back for another patch test. I'm terrified that's it for me and hair dye- I'm only in my late 30s and almost totally grey so really can't stand the thought of not being able to colour. I'm very self conscious about it :(

You can always have highlights as thet don't touch the scalp.

Allergy could be hormonal.

There are hundreds of products out there. Through patch tests you should be able to find out what you're sensitive too and look for products which don't contain it.

I had a severe allergic reaction to the same dye I’d been using for many years. Came home from the salon and my head began to swell , so frightening. Now have to use non permanent very regularly instead. Not the same, but too scared to risk anything else.....

I have to use henna, due to a similar reaction. I dont think its it's worth the risk to carry on trying to use ppd dye.

I considered hairprint, but it needs virgin hair dark hair to work.

Hair dye is dreadful for the planet and for your pocket. Maybe this is your chance to give it up altogether and go for a really cool/edgy cut instead?

I've always had very long hair and would look ridiculous with it short because of my face shape.

I did used to just have highlights though so could go back to that- a shame as my hairs been so much healthier since this hairdresser who persuaded me to stop bleaching and tint instead.

Pixie - do you still go to the salon for your semi or do you do it yourself?

I do it myself at home every fortnight. I use a ppd free one. It covers pretty well I think.

Oooh Nooo! I always worry about this. I could not give in to the grey. Luckily although I have an itchy scalp (not dandruffy) and a generally sensitive skin I seem to be ok with hair dyeing.

Well today (Day 2 post salon) it seems to have calmed down a lot and is only burny if I itch at it. If I leave it alone it's fine, no redness or sores ever came up.

Is that enough of a reaction to mean I now have to stay clear for good? Or is there a hope hairdresser may do a patch test and it could be ok?

As an aside, came on my period today (sorry for TMI) so could it be hormonal and if so would that still mean I shouldn't use ppd products ever again?

Such a 3rd world problem I know but I really can't face not colouring@!

Yes, you should avoid in future:
"If you develop a reaction to hair dye, even just a mild one, you should stop using products containing PPD altogether, as there's a risk you could develop a more severe reaction in the future"
www.nhs.uk/conditions/hair-dye-reactions/

I have a severe ppd allergy. I still get my hair dyed but the hair dresser has to do it all in foils and not touch my scalp. Even then though I still get some blistering. But it is worth it for me. You have to find a hair dresser that is willing to do it though. Most won't if they know you have an allergy.

Oh and yes the more exposure to ppd you get the worse the allergy becomes because you are now sensitised

Check out the Instagram account Grombre - you might find inspiration there for giving up the dye altogether...I did! 😀

I make my own 'hair tea' to dye my salt and pepper grey hair dark blonde.

I brew up 6 camomile tea bags, 2 redbush tea bags, half a teaspoon of instant coffee powder and a very small pinch of turmeric (less than quarter of a teaspoon) in a teapot and leave till cool enough to pour over my head. I pour this over dry clean hair and dry it, leaving the tea in.

Generally black tea and coffee give brown tones, camomile tea and turmeric golden tones, redbush tea red tones.

It fades after one wash but not completely. I use the tea each time I wash my hair. It is completely natural so I think less likely to cause a reaction than the chemical dyes. You could always patch test if in doubt.

After 12+ years of salon colouring, I too had what I now strongly believe to be a reaction soon after my last colour a few months ago, and have also since had a minor reaction to a PPD free patch test at a different salon. I would love to have colour done again but it's just not worth the risk.

I am now looking at alternatives including Lush Henna, also coffee and cocoa!

I developed sensitivity when pregnant so get full heads of foil highlights now and give it an extra wash when I get home.

Looks great though its expensive

Why did I write that?

Sorry not "when pregnant", was post pregnancy.

Hungover sorry

You can buy ppd (or whatever) free hair dye online, through amazon. Not sure how effective it is, but you shouldn't really risk it any more.

I have a ppd allergy i had black hair that was getting very gray, I did use a ppd free colour but they don't last so I had to go blonde with loads of highlights, done with foils so it doesn't touch my scalp.

how did you all persuade your hairdressers to do your hair with foils once you'd developed the allergy?

Yes sorry I also reacted to brown dye so have gone blonde - highlights using foils. So my hairdresser said I'd be ok.

I kind of miss being brunette but wouldn't risk it.

Btw my reactions to brown felt the same as you described ie "like sunburn on my head" but no rash or anything

I wouldn't try to find someone to do it. The allergy can get worse and cause anaphylaxis.

I honesty think chemical dyes aren't the only effective way to dye hair. I'm really satisfied with my hair tea. All natural ingredients. Easy, cheap and no roots.

Devil, no no I won't be trying to persuade anyone to use dye on it...Im just worried they'll refuse to highlight it either. I've never used dark dye - it's only ash blonde anyway. So I'd have to go really light with highlights. My natural hair is very pale grey but incredibly long, thick & curly it would be a real nightmare to do myself at home with any kind of herbal wash etc.

leafgrass where do you get hair tea please? Sounds like it could be an option for me.