Reacted to patch test - now what?

[bettynutkins]

Hi,

I was due to have my hair done in 2 days time. Went for a patch test this afternoon just before they closed (she did say they didn't really need to do it as it's for highlights but would do it anyway). After 20 minutes it was burning and I needed to wipe it off. I've always had my hair coloured/highlighted and not had this issue before.

Has anyone got any advice? I am assuming when I call in the morning they will cancel my appointment.

Can I never have my hair coloured again?!

Thanks

You can try a few different brands and see if you react to all of them, in all likelihood it's the PPDs in the dye and that's in pretty much every permanent hair dye.

It's not in bleach or in crazy colours/temporary dyes as a rule so there's that option.

You may be able to find a hair dresser who's willing to be very careful and use foils so that the dye doesn't go on your skin.

You may find that taking an anti-histamine before dying is enough to prevent the reaction.

Unfortunately your reaction can get worked with repeat exposure so if you do take the risk and it's not too bad, that doesn't mean that you would have a light reaction the next time.

I'm allergic to hair dye, which does also include eyebrow/lash tint as same chemicals. I tend to stick to crazy colours but sometimes I just go for it, take an anti-histamine and hope for the best. I use barrier cream on forehead, neck and ears to help reduce surface area and deal with a week of very very itchy sore scalp. I wouldn't risk it on eyelashes/brows though, that's too big of a risk for me,

This happened to me and my hairdresser did a patch test for another brand and I was fine.

Thanks for this. I definitely won't be risking on my face. It was just meant to be foils. Perhaps I'll just ask for bleach (which is what I thought I was having anyway to be honest) but good to know that's an option.

Have you always been allergic? I'm baffled that I've never had this before after so many years of dyes.

Thank you. I'll pop by in the morning and see if they can try something else.

No, I got a black henna tattoo done while on holiday, drunk and stupid as an 18 year old. Had been dying my hair since I was 12 with no issues, then got the henna and wham bam I'm allergic. Really common apparently, that's why there's a warning on box dyes telling you to be extra careful about patch tests if you've ever used black henna.