Pre-hair colour skin test

Bogof_Babe

I've been having my hair coloured at the same place for years, but last time I was told that in future I would have to go in 48 hours beforehand to have a skin allergy test... every time! I had a test immediately prior to my last colour and it was fine.

This is a bit of a nuisance as it entails an extra visit to the salon, which isn't always convenient. Is this a general new ruling, or h&s overkill on the part of my hairdresser?

Fire_Fox

You can become allergic to a chemical at any time, in fact it is far more common to become allergic to something you have been exposed to repeatedly before than a novel chemical. Arguably the salon are being responsible: worst case scenario your face can blow up like a balloon and some of your hair fall out, your throat can even swell and you have difficulty breathing (rare). :eek:

Bogof_Babe

Ah, right. So that's the reason for it. It does sound scary!

Just wondered if all salons have been instructed to do this routine now.

noelphobic

The last time I got my hair coloured the hairdresser did the skin test immediately before colouring my hair. It was probably on for half an hour max. However,when I wanted to get my eyebrows dyed a while ago I was told to give it 48 hours after the skin test. I did actually have a reaction that time so didn't get them dyed. Quite a while after that I went elsewhere, had the patch test and was fine. I was still worried about getting my eyelashes done though, so only had my eyebrows dyed.

murphydog999

There have been some really bad cases of reactions to hair dye - specifically PPD - recently (woman in coma, woman going blind!!) that it's not worth taking the risk and salons will be fully aware of this. These warnings are now a lot more noticeable on retail packets as well now.

I had been dying my hair for more years than I can remember and last year had a bad reaction (not as bad as above obviously!) but it felt like my scalp was on fire with insects running over it, it lasted for weeks and every time I washed it, it got inflamed again. It really is not pleasant and not doing a patch test is really not worth the risk.

My hairdresser tested me with a Goldwell semi-perm tint recently, which didn't react, but did in places a week after the colouring, so I'm still susceptible it seems!

Bogof_Babe

Thank you all for your replies. I will stop complaining now!

comfysofa

My hairdresser gives me a patch test that I apply myself 48 hours before my appointment - it's like a transfer, you take it out of the packet and place on your arm, wet the back and it looks like a henna tattoo of 2 hexagons!

The hairdresser removes it with a piece of tape at the appointment to check there's been no reaction underneath.

Much easier than having to traipse to the salon - maybe your hairdresser could invest in some!!