Has Anyone Ever Had A Reaction to Hair Dye?

[OceanAnnie]

I color my hair at home and it does save money! Most of the time it's highlights and I use the root touch up kit from Clairol mostly to blend the highlights in after a few months.

I used the root touch up kit as I always have a few nights ago. The night I did it (after the coloring) and the following day I had terrible headaches and my scalp was red and sensitive to touch. I felt awful. (And I was surprised to say the least!) I used motrin and benedryl and I'm fine now. No redness or sensitivity now.

I understand it could've been a lot worse from reading the warnings. Yikes! Has anyone had a reaction before and were you able to still color your hair? I *know* I can't use the root touch up kit again, but I'm thinking ahead to a different product in the future.

Any insight from your experiences would be a big help.

 

[stars75238]

my mother would occasionally get the same kind of reaction you go - this would only happen once every year or two, and she was able to continue coloring her hair for years.

Doesn't mean it won't happen next time - can you isolate what you might have done differently? (left it on a few minutes longer, etc.)

Good luck -

 

[OceanAnnie]

Thanks, I really don't know what I did differently (if anything). It was about 2 1/2 months between using the product. It did say in the warning section that a person could develop an allergy. I think I'll switch to something else. I'm concerned I may have a harsher reaction next time. I wish I knew what chemical caused the reaction. It could happen with another product!

Yikes!!!

 

[meeskamouska]

My sister cannot dye her hair anymore....she gets puss pockets all over and it is just disgusting!!

She has been looking into all natural hair dyes....but is kinda nervous about trying them....

 

[OceanAnnie]

My sister cannot dye her hair anymore....she gets puss pockets all over and it is just disgusting!!

She has been looking into all natural hair dyes....but is kinda nervous about trying them....

Oh my gosh. I was really lucky. I didn't have any breaks in the skin or anything. That would probably turn me completely off to any hair color. I'm skiddish now as it is.

 

[disney-super-mom]

I color my hair at home too (Performing Preference), and from time to time I have a slight allergic reaction similar to what you described (my face and neck turns red, headache).

The weird thing is that it doesn't happen everytime I color. More like every third or forth time I color. I don't know why it happens either. It's a mystery to me.

 

[zumbergc]

If your having intermitant reactions to the product.
It may be your more sensitive to the chemical, if your exposed to other allergens that cause reactions for you at the same time you dye your hair.

For myself, I have numerous things I'm allergic to outside.
So, if its a week where things I'm allergic to are blooming.
If I'm dealing with outside problems w/ my allergies, then periodically I have problems being around some hair sprays, products, that I'm normally fine with.

So most of the time I'm fine, but on some occasions, I have to be extra careful.

You could be dealing with a mild allergy that is worsened when your immune system is fighting something off.
You could becoming more allergic to the said product as well, so be careful.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I color my hair at home too (Performing Preference), and from time to time I have a slight allergic reaction similar to what you described (my face and neck turns red, headache).

The weird thing is that it doesn't happen everytime I color. More like every third or forth time I color. I don't know why it happens either. It's a mystery to me.

It's a mystery to me too! I kind of downplayed my symptoms a bit. They weren't extreme, but I don't want to go through it again. The headaches were some of the worst I've ever had and the sensitivity to my scalp was unnerving. I couldn't function as I normally do. I felt queasy (that could've been from lack of appetite) and dizzy (again could've been from not eating). Eating was the last thing I wanted to do.

Fortunately the benedryl did the trick. It took about 3 doses (over time) to get complete relief. But I was taking a product that had low doses of benedryl because that's all I had on hand and I didn't feel at all like going out for more.

 

[Buckalew11]

You should do a patch test 24 hours before using color.

 

[OceanAnnie]

You should do a patch test 24 hours before using color.

I have before.

After the symptoms started, I had to find the paper that came with the box and it stated that even with the patch test, a person could still have a reaction. There is no guarantee.

 

[Buckalew11]

No, there is no guarantee. But, as you said, an allergy can develop in between uses so just because you did one once does not mean you cannot develop one. You were lucky that your symptoms were pretty mild. An allergy to color can be a big mess for your scalp and/or the hair.
But, if I were you, I try something else and I'd do a test just in case. Did it burn, sting or anything while on your head? If that ever happens, remove the product quickly. It is rare for people to do a patch test (home or salon) because who has the time and $ to mix the color 24 hours beforehand? Who can go to the salon 24 hours before their appointment and then return the next day? But, since you have had a reaction, I'd test before the next application. Good luck, Annie!!

 

[OceanAnnie]

No, there is no guarantee. But, as you said, an allergy can develop in between uses so just because you did one once does not mean you cannot develop one. You were lucky that your symptoms were pretty mild. An allergy to color can be a big mess for your scalp and/or the hair.
But, if I were you, I try something else and I'd do a test just in case. Did it burn, sting or anything while on your head? If that ever happens, remove the product quickly. It is rare for people to do a patch test (home or salon) because who has the time and $ to mix the color 24 hours beforehand? Who can go to the salon 24 hours before their appointment and then return the next day? But, since you have had a reaction, I'd test before the next application. Good luck, Annie!!

Thanks, Brenda.

It didn't sting or burn while it was on my head. I did develop a headache but didn't think much of it.

You're right about the patch test. I did do it before I started using the product. I *thought* I was good to go after that. I didn't read the warning about the possibility of developing an allergy later. Oh you learn something new every day!

I've been reading about allergies to PPD that's in permanent hair color. I *think* I may check out the semi permanent color. I don't know. I'm just going to keep reading. I do know, I'll be doing the patch test every time from now on. Guarantee or not!

 

[arlenesp]

I used to use the OTC colorings when I was in my teens. Now this is a long time ago and things were different. When I got married, I decided to do it right and had it done professionally. I had the color stripped and toner . Looked great. Went for it again and it was burning!! Had scabs on my scalp. I haven't done this for years now and am at the point i want to color it again.But thie prospect of this happening again puts a damper on it.

 

[cglaura]

Also make sure to not wash your hair the day you are coloring, 48 hours would be best. The natural oils on your scalp w/ protect from the chemicals. But you should also do a patch test every time, not that I do I wouldn't know how to explain the headache part, other than was your room well ventilated?

I save a ton coloring my own hair. Especially just doing roots...you can mix 1/2 of each into a bowl and you get 2 root touch ups out of one box. Just make sure to seal tight remaining bottles (keep them unmixed until next use...)

 

[Jenna45]

I totally understand
I had the same reaction this month after using Clariol and I always have used it, when I called she said they have changed some of the ingrediants, they refunded my money, but I am not sure I can use Nice and Easy anymore...

I color my hair at home and it does save money! Most of the time it's highlights and I use the root touch up kit from Clairol mostly to blend the highlights in after a few months.

I used the root touch up kit as I always have a few nights ago. The night I did it (after the coloring) and the following day I had terrible headaches and my scalp was red and sensitive to touch. I felt awful. (And I was surprised to say the least!) I used motrin and benedryl and I'm fine now. No redness or sensitivity now.

I understand it could've been a lot worse from reading the warnings. Yikes! Has anyone had a reaction before and were you able to still color your hair? I *know* I can't use the root touch up kit again, but I'm thinking ahead to a different product in the future.

Any insight from your experiences would be a big help.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I totally understand
I had the same reaction this month after using Clariol and I always have used it, when I called she said they have changed some of the ingrediants, they refunded my money, but I am not sure I can use Nice and Easy anymore...

Aw man! If I had been feeling better I would've asked for a refund! They didn't offer it! Darn. Oh well. I do like the color, just not the side effects.

 

[kehouse]

i have just recently started coloring my hair. (hit the big 40 a couple of years ago). the first time i went to the salon, my head started to burn, the girl doing my hair was new, so she asked the owner what to do, we left it on a little longer, not real painful, just uncomfortable, but she said next time to add 1 pack of sweet and low (the pink one) to the mix before putting it on the next time. it helped alot! so now my stylist always adds it to mine and several of her other clients that were sensative.

 

[MirandaPen]

I am a stylist,
As said before don't wash your hair the day of coloring
second try to avoid caffiene the day before and the day of your coloring
I have heard the sweet and low packet trick before, it's supposed to work

I have only had 2 people ever have an allergic reaction before some color brands are worse than others.

 

[OceanAnnie]

Oh my gosh! I never heard of limiting caffeine or the sweet n low trick! I like the product I was using. I wonder if I did those things and did the patch test (with the sweet n low). Wonder how that works?

Hmmm. Now you guys have given me something to think about.

 

[DiznEeyore]

I asked my hair stylist about this a while back, and she said it's often the dyes with ammonia that people react to. She once witnessed a client go into anaphylactic (sp?) shock from hair dye because she forgot to ask the stylist to use ammonia-free dye.

Not sure if this applies to everyone, just what I was told.

I have extremely sensitive skin and don't dye my hair anymore for that reason. I'm almost 38 and am dreading the day the grey starts to show up, LOL!