Reacted to hair dye patch test - hairdresser says I could still go ahead?

[66JJGJ]

I had a patch test done at the hairdressers yesterday behind my ear, and today noticed that the area behind my ear is very red, although it is not blistered or itchy.

I rang the hairdressers up and they said I can still go ahead or I can try a different hair dye, it was for a root smudge and balayage. I've decided to try a different hair dye and have a patch test for it next weekend.

Does it sound like I had an allergic reaction? Does it mean I have to avoid all dyes or is it likely that there will be one out there for me that's suitable? There's really not much information available online about what to do if you get a reaction in a patch test - can I go to my GP and ask for a referral for allergy testing? Although it seems a waste of NHS resources to get testing for the purpose of hair dyes!

There are different hair dyes that can be used. My mum is allergic to some but not all so it took her a couple of attempts of patch testing to find the right one.
I wouldn’t bother with allergy testing just now as it’s not going to be something you’re coming into regular contact with.

I don't think a GP will do a referral for allergy testing because you reacted to hair dye - they'll just tell you not to use hair dye!
I've dyed my hair at home for years. I did a patch test after I'd had a covid vaccinated and had a skin reaction (there had been a number of reports of people having reactions after having covid). I left it for a couple of months and tried the patch test again and all was fine.

In your situation I would try a different type of dye. I would not go ahead with the one you've reacted to.

I would try a different hairdresser, this one could kill you

Natural colours works hair salon if you’re near London. It’s chrmical
free and safe.

I react to all hair dye. I can still have balayage and foils not to close to my scalp. My hairdresser is great.

Just because you are allergic to some doesn’t mean you will be allergic to all. And highlights can be done to avoid your scalp as PP says.

That definitely is an allergic reaction though so I wouldn’t go back to that hairdresser. It’s appalling to suggest you should go ahead.

Thank you all, I know I was surprised that they would still go ahead although they did emphasise it's 'my decision'.

I'll ask them to do patch tests of other colours and hopefully there's something else I'll be ok with. I've dyed my hair both at home and at the salon in the past and never reacted, I only had an allergy test as the salon says you need to repeat allergy tests if it's been longer than 12 weeks since your last appt and my appointment was 14 weeks ago so quite scary that I could have just gone ahead with the appointment without a patch test and been none the wiser if it was just 2 weeks earlier!