Keratin treatment gone wrong

[yas212]

Hi guys,

Yesterday I had a Brazilian keratin treatment done on my hair by what I thought was a reputable hairdresser with years of experience. Previously I had had my hair chemically straightened but I decided to try something a bit lighter. My hair has come out amazingly and exactly the results I want but my scalp has taken a battering! Around 10 hours after I had the treatment done, my scalp started to feel itchy, I messaged the hairdresser and she said she’s not heard of anyone reacting like this but to try an antihistamine to try to relax it. It helped but the next morning my scalp became flaky. I washed it out this evening with recommended sls free shampoo and now I have raised red irritated bumps all over my scalp, some are oozing. Tried google but not much has come up and I’ve reported it back to the hairdresser but she doesn’t seem to have experienced this before so she can offer limited advice. Any help greatly appreciated

Go to the doctors or pharmacy?!

Probably an allergy. Maybe get it checked out by a medical professional?

It may not be anything the hairdresser has done, it just sounds like you're allergic to the product. Brazilian/keratin treatments are full of chemicals (whatever some brands say about being 'natural').

I get exactly the same reaction as you describe with hair dye- itchy then turns into sores that ooze. It's an allergic contact dermatitis. It should go down but once or twice over the years it's been particularly bad I've had to go to the GP who can give you some steroid cream..

Thanks for your reply, if you have the same reaction to hair dye, do you persist despite the reaction?
It’s just strange as I’ve had the Yuko style straightening done loads of times before but not had anything like this, yes it’s different though the chemicals are harsher. Also had Brazilian done once years before from a crappy groupon place and the treatment didn’t last but no side effects there either!

I must admit I've persisted with the dyeing! My hair is really dark and I started getting greys around age 20, just don't have the courage to go grey.
In my case (looking back) the reactions have completely depended on my wellbeing at the time. For a few years during a stressful job I couldn't dye my hair at all and relied on henna. Then in a more settled period- no reactions at all. Wish I knew more about how immune systems work