Weeping scabby scalp after bleaching roots. Help!

[MushroomTree]

I went to my hairdresser yesterday to have my roots done. I've got ashy/silver blonde hair.

Previously I had 12% bleach on the ends and 4% on the roots to get it this colour but I'd found the roots were quite difficult to keep looking blonde rather than yellow so asked the hairdresser if we could use a stronger bleach so my roots were the same colour as the ends.

She said 12% would be too strong but could use 9% instead.

Well it hurt, quite a lot and then my scalp went sort of numb. But it was about bearable and I didn't want her to wash it off too soon and end up with yellow roots still.

Anyway, it finished developing and she washed it off and put a toner on. That stang a bit but was ok.

I will admit the end result is amazing and I love it.

When she was drying my hair she did comment that my scalp was quite sore so go easy on products and styling for a few days.

I paid and left.

It wasn't until later on in the evening that I noticed the front and all around the top of my head was actually hot, weeping and scabby.

Part of me thinks it's my own fault, I could have told her to wash it off earlier. The other part of me thinks I've paid a not insignificant amount of money to be left with a weeping crusty scalp.

Should I go back to them? My hair is thick enough that you can't see anything is wrong with my scalp and my hair does look amazing.

Don't wash your hair, the natural oils (greasy locks) will help heal the scalp.. Shampoo will dry your scalp even more.. This has happened to me before which is why I went back to brunette! Blonde is beautiful but was always painful for me and my sensitive scalp x

I'm going to have greasy hair for weeks aren't I?

I've been colouring my hair for years and never had this issue before. The only conclusion I can come to is that the bleach was too strong and left for too long.

I don't even know when I'll be able to colour my hair again which means it's going to look awful when my roots come through.

Didn't you say you wanted a stronger bleach ? That is why this happened

Hope your hair doesn't fall out, OP. It's probably more of a worst-case scenario than a guarantee.

Unless your GP told you to wash it daily, I would also recommend washing it less. If anything, you won’t irritate your burns as much with shampoo/conditioner/styling.

Another thing to consider with compensation - hopefully your burns are super minor and fully heal so this doesn’t happen, but the worst case scenario would be seeing a trichologist privately or having a hair transplant in the far future if you do suffer hair loss, which can be expensive.

Didn't you say you wanted a stronger bleach ? That is why this happened

The OP isn’t the professional, it doesn’t matter what she asked for.

Hope it resolves soon, OP.

@carolina21 I said I wanted stronger than 4% but I didn't specify 9%. As has been said on this thread, she could have used 6% and gotten the same result but with far less chance of burns. I trusted her professional judgement. Surely that's what we pay the for? Otherwise I'd have chucked some domestos on my head and hoped for the best.

I would blame her. A) did she do a patch test. B) she could see what was happening she should have tried to prevent and if too far gone then recommended medical assistance. C) you haven't reacted to a die, you have been burnt by bleach.

I've had a refund just because it didn't look how I wanted so I'd be getting a refund for causing me bodily harm

I've asked for things before and had the hair colourist say no because it will be too damaging, she then offers alternative ideas and we come to a compromise which is safe

You can have highlights for your root touch up. The highlights use strips and don't touch the scalp. It won't be quite as vivid blond but will prevent the visible roots situation

I'm sorry you're going through this op. Of course you deserve a refund at the very least. It's entirely possible to achieve a lighter blonde with weaker bleach solution- simply by leaving it to develop for longer.

My advice now would be to treat your scalp very carefully. You want to avoid scarring on your scalp as hair will not grow where there is scar tissue. Use very mild shampoos ph neutral (as little as possible) for sensitive skin, continue with the gp's burn treatment and be very careful with combing or brushing. Don't aim a hair dryer near your burns.

Once the wounds start to heal, keep your scalp moisturised. Don't pick at the scabs or apply a brush to your scalp. Do not consider bleaching until every part of your scalp is completely healed and even then you may have to consider an ombre style (bleach on mid lengths/ends) a low concentration bleach or embracing a colour that doesn't require bleach.

You have my sympathy. You will have to put up with bad hair days until you have healed. I'd suggest trying a wet look up do, slicked back pony tail? And a funky bobble hat for out and about.

Hope your head is better soon

Also to add, I burnt part of my head and the top of my ear(!) when a DIY bleach job went a bit wrong. With care, it healed quite quickly (around 2 weeks) with no scars or hair loss. So don't panic too much.

Don't be too slap happy with the steroid cream though. Just a thin layer directly on burnt areas. It's strong stuff.

Yea defo stop bleaching, I've done this to myself, then I done it a second time, totally regretted it, and also because I was on medication it made it worse, find a simple shampoo, it really isn't worth the hassle and pain it will cause.

Thanks for the tips everyone. No more bleach for me!

@LemonPrism no patch test. And that's how I feel. She could see my scalp properly to assess the situation. I couldn't. Surely when I said it was hurting and then numb she should have had a proper look. She didn't. She made a face and mumbled something, then went back to cutting the other woman's hair.

I too have previously asked for things and been told it isn't possible. I'm quite happy to compromise. I'd have agreed to highlights if she'd suggested it.

I was platinum for a while.
Bleach and then a toner.
It ALWAYS stung by the time it got to the end of the process and would feel a bit sore and itchy after the process for a couple of days after.
Sometimes my scalp would be a bit flaky.

So it would really depend on how much you told her it was hurting as to whether that would 'trip her alarm' and also how often she came over to check on your head.

This also happened to a 16 yr old patient of mine. She ended up with a very nasty chemical burn which became grossly infected and a bald patch on her scalp.

The hairdresser refused to apologise, refund or accept liability so her parents sued the hairdresser. Three years down the track she cannot be in the sun without a hat, her scalp is very tender and has a 10cmx10cm bald spot. I would seek advice from a good personal injury lawyer.

@carrots555 this isn't the first time I've had bleach and toner used so I'm used to the tingly feeling. But this was a lot worse. And I've certainly never been left with weeping sores before.

Surely your client telling your their head is burning and has then gone numb is a cause for alarm?

@macdhui all the hairdresser has said so far is that their insurance company will be in touch so we'll see what happens next.

OK, yes reading back if you subsequently told her it had gone numb, that ought to have brought her over to have a quick poke and see what was going on.

How is the integrity of your hair?

Your scalp will heal with time. Mine always did quite quickly (though not as damaged as yours as no open wounds) but the bleaching wrecked my hair and loads of it broke off.

They've now started using Olaplex on me though I wish they had before and are only using 4% all over, highlights but not with foils, guaze only so they can keep a close eye on development. Just FYI in case you find you have to change what you do with your hair now onward.
If it's been way over bleached, you might find that the protein levels have got all messed up and you'll find your hair goes really odd and strechy, often described as being like chewing gum.

@carrots555 actually my hair is in great condition. I'm really careful with it. It's just my poor scalp that is suffering.

Firstly, I'll be finding a new hairdresser. And then I'll have to discuss a new way of doing my colour. I doubt I'll stick with the platinum. As much as I like it, it is actually more grey which isn't quite what I had in mind. So when my scalp has healed I'll look at highlights and maybe back closer to my natural blonde.

Right now I just want my scalp and hair not to drop off

Can I ask how your hair is now? I had mine done the other day and a similar thing happened, eventually the pain was too much and I got it washed off. The toner afterwards didn't hurt at all. But now I have little red patches and a big one down my parting line and it looks horrid :( GP tomorrow for me. Hope all is ok x @MushroomTree

@moranskiiii96 sorry to hear this happened to you too.

My hair is fine now. It took about 2 weeks for it to fully heal. I washed it carefully after 10 days with baby shampoo. I didn't get my roots done again until last month and only had highlights done with foils which was fine.

I never did hear from the salon's insurance company so my suspicions that they were fobbing me off were correct.

Hopefully you scalp will heal soon. Try to hold off brushing and washing it for as long as you can stand.