Newly allergic to hair colour, after 25 years!

[overthinkersanonnymus]

I'm devastated.

The last two times I've had my hair done, I've come out with a rash. First time on the back of my neck, which was like little itchy spots and the second time, my face got what I can only describe as small lines of puffy, red skin.

The strangest thing is though, it takes about 48 hours to start developing.

What can I do! Is taking an antihistamine enough? I'm terrified I'm going to get a chemical burn from the reaction after googling and seeing a poor woman scarred for life after a reaction.

The only non toxic hair dye that I know of is a product called Hairprint. I haven’t used it myself as it sounds messy, doesn’t work for everybody and is expensive. Do a Google on it and see if it is something that you would like to try. Good luck!

believe it or not, I actually had hairprint shipped over from the US in 2016, my bestie is a hairdresser and she applied it. it took around 2.5 hours , and stained everything in sight that wasnt protected.

The upshot of it:

It stained my scalp so badly like a thick tar. my hairs were a translucent yellow brown after that. But gave the impression of dark brown because my scalp was practically black.

Then came the scalp shedding, which boy was fun! it would slowly shed on to your clothes during the day.

NEVR again!

I’ve just purchased two products that are less toxic than permanent hair dye - IGK depositing mask (temporary colour) and Manic Panic (least toxic I could find). I hope one works for me as I am attending a party this weekend and don’t want to be grey as will see friends that I haven’t seen in 15 years!
Also I’ve left a link to some products
https://www.byrdie.com/temporary-hair-dyes
I am also going to purchase and try the Patrice Mulato Color One down the track.

@App13 how is the Leganza baring up? I couldn’t get my shade in Patrice Mulatto (been out of stock for a while and I’m panicking a bit) so used Tints of Nature semi permanent, have used this previously and am not terribly impressed I have a small amount of grey no more than 15 to 20 percent and it blends them which is fine (the product doesn’t claim to cover grey) but it just doesn’t last long at all even on my brown hair. It gives a really nice shine and I’ve used it previously for special occasions etc but it’s not really a long term solution.
@relaxandfocus thanks for posting that, the only one I have tried from the list is Artic Fox in the shade Ritual which is a burgundy red and it didn’t really take on my grey bits or my undyed level 5 brown roots. The grey just had a tiny of pink to it. My hair was already dyed with a permanent tint and the Artic Fox took really well on this.

Im sold on leganza , as its really just so easy for me. I did another dye this weekend and all set for work. Its not worth my time nor money to do Patrice Mulato. I also note Leganza has Tulip black, so maybe ill mix colours as its a little reddish as it washes out

@App13 thank you for that, I’m hesitating as wondering if bitter chocolate will be too dark on me as I’m late 50s don’t want to go full on goth! Yes I saw the black as well. Would you say that the bitter chocolate is the same depth as Mulatto dark brown 03 I can’t remember which Mulatto shade you used whether it was dark brown or black.

@6667TheNeighbourOfTheBeast I don't think bitter chocolate is that dark , im very dark brunette, but after washes it lightens up!

Give it a whirl ... its not permanent so who cares as long as your hair ain't green, purple, pink or yellow !

And cheaper too

Yes I used patrice 03

Patrice Mulato supply direct to the UK now. Postage takes a while though as it's sent by Colissimo, like French parcelforce: https://www.patricemulato.com/en/

I tried to order from Elemental Beauty but got no replies to numerous emails and phone calls in the last two months, and they seem to be out of stock of the Color One dyes anyway. They're a small firm so maybe were on holiday. Would be keen to hear if anyone else has managed to get a response recently.

Like PPs, I've been finding the Color One comes up a bit yellow.
Last week I tried a wash-in wash-out colour from Superdrug to cover my roots in a hurry. Unfortunately the warm dark brown left my temples bright ginger and has not washed out!! Color One has masked it a bit but I'm waiting for the next shade down to arrive for more coverage.

This is shocking.

I dye my own hair and rinse it in the shower if this ever happened to me does that mean it woud affect my whole body?

What about Aveda?

Has anyone ever got Steven's-Johnson Syndrome (or similar) from using hair dye?

Aveda uses tds from my recollection. I used their dye and my entire face was itching red. But needed to for a wedding. Lasted 1 shampoo, it was their semi permanent one

This happened to me about 5 years ago. I alternated blonde highlights and brown lowlights, professionally applied. The brown caused such damage, my head was on fire, and showers spread the inflammation everywhere. I had to have a buzz cut to stop the pain. The hairdresser said I’d probably be ok with the blonde still, butI couldn’t risk it. Please don’t try your dark brown again. Have been thinking about using product for grey hair, so this thread has been informative. My hair is salt and pepper, still with lots of brown and some silver streaks. It’s supposed to be the worst sort of grey, but I quite like it, works with my curly hair.

Has anyone tried the Goldwell Elumen oxidant and ammonia free hair colour? Looks interesting and free of nasties.

Not only do I react to hair dye but I'm now also sensitive to the preservative Phenoxyethanol (it irritates my eyes). Unfortunately it's in absolutely bloody everything these days. I've given up and am focusing instead on keeping my greying hair in good condition.

Just tried IGK colour depositing mask and it did absolutely nothing. I then tried Manic Panic in Raven and it turned my grey hair green!

@App13 thanks for that, I have the permanent as I assumed it used less chemicals than usual dyes, one wash is rubbish lasting power with a semi though

This is exactly what is happening to me! Although I think the initial reaction was triggered by a change in shampoo (Moroccan Oil). When I had my hair dyed as usual I have had an allergic reaction to that. I have been developing multiple allergic reactions since the first covid jab, which also triggered severe asthma. Do I need to accept that I must go grey now? I'm 43 and about 80% grey under the dye!

I've tried various colours of elumen and even went to Hare &bone salon in London to get it professionally applied.

Same thing , stained scalp, yellow hairs , long process and ruddy expensive if applied via a salon !

I believe manic panic is also by goldwell and they're more fashion colours. Sorry to hear that.. I hope it comes out as soon as

Not too bad. Lucky I only did a strand of my hair as I am going to an event this weekend. I am just going to use L’Oréal spray root touch up to blend in the greys and apply hair mascara around the bits around my face. I am kind of over it but still want to try the Patrice Mulato Pigment and also the Color One together. I think you had luck with that one.

Does Leganza cover natural grey hair and do you use both shampoo and conditioner? I want a darkest brown or even black. I have never heard of this brand before until you mentioned it as I am located in Australia.

@relaxandfocus Yes covers all greys even the most resistant. i dont use conditioner. I shampoo hair first, apply to damp hair, wait 1hr , wash out with water until no colour runs and then dry it naturally.

then when it comes to going out! i do a proper hair wash with shampoo, no conditioner, and style.

I cant stand Patrice Mulato, given the price one pays for yellow hair . Its colour one i used, both black and dark brown. Black also gave yellow hair