Hair Dye Reaction

Blether

The last time I dyed my hair with ordinary hair dye XXL I had a reaction. It was like chicken pox spots. I had a look through previous threads here to get some ideas about the way ahead.

I used a semi permanent but my hair has too much white for this. The colour did cling to the previously died section so was a terrible look.

I had several lots of cap highlights but always had the looks of big roots. Was working out very dear as well as difficult to find the time to keep going to the hairdresser.

I tried the Natur Vital PPD free colour and although I did the skin test I still had a minor reaction to this. The range of colours is limited and the dark blonde looked like a mid brown.

I was researching using coloured henna but it seems to be difficult to get the colour right and also as it is made outside the EU there is doubt over some of the ingredients.

My hair is very white at the front but dark at the back and that is why I am not keen to leave it to go natural as well as the growing out phase. Also feel I am fairly young to let it go.

Any helpful suggestions appreciated.

murphydog999

If you have looked at the other threads on here, you will know that finding something without chemicals is really tricky. After trying all sorts after a reaction, my hairdresser suggested a Goldwell Colourance which is a demi-permanent. I did a test and it was ok, so went for it.

This has been ok for about 4-5 treatments - I'm now using it at home - but now my scalp is starting to get itchy and a bit flaky again, so it obviously doesn't like even this milder version.

I've moved and now going to a different hairdresser who uses a colour that is totally organic - I don't know the name, sorry - so I may well get a test next time and try this.

Once you have had a reaction you need to be really careful as they can be lethal - literally. It really is down to major research, maybe speak to a few different hairdressers to see what they recommend.

I have to say, when I bought the goldwell colour for myself, I saw that it said not to be used on anyone that has had a reaction; my hairdresser knew this so I am not impressed!

belfastgirl23

Henna is the only thing I've used that doesn't react. It's not great for covering grey hair though

guspoppy

i know garnia olia is permanent and it doesnt have amonia in .

Kyss

I use henna from Lush. Grey hair comes out a different (lighter, redder) colour, but I like the look. I have dark brown (with grey) hair and use their brown henna. It's a bit of a faff to use, and I miss being able to choose colours, but it doesn't seem to cause skin reactions for me.

murphydog999

guspoppy wrote: »

i know garnia olia is permanent and it doesnt have amonia in .

It's PPD thats the main problem.

starrystarry

In the past I've had minor reactions from hair dyes. Now I only use the 10 minute ones (L'Oreal Excell 10 or Clairol Perfect 10). I've never had a reaction from either of those. Maybe it's because they're not on your scalp for as long. They are permanent though. Also, when I rinse the colour off I shampoo my hair to make sure there are no chemicals left on my scalp. This seems to help as well. Can't guarantee it'll work for you though, you still need to do a patch test I guess.

Fire_Fox

Blether wrote: »

The last time I dyed my hair with ordinary hair dye XXL I had a reaction. It was like chicken pox spots. I had a look through previous threads here to get some ideas about the way ahead.

I used a semi permanent but my hair has too much white for this. The colour did cling to the previously died section so was a terrible look.

I had several lots of cap highlights but always had the looks of big roots. Was working out very dear as well as difficult to find the time to keep going to the hairdresser.

I tried the Natur Vital PPD free colour and although I did the skin test I still had a minor reaction to this. The range of colours is limited and the dark blonde looked like a mid brown.

I was researching using coloured henna but it seems to be difficult to get the colour right and also as it is made outside the EU there is doubt over some of the ingredients.

My hair is very white at the front but dark at the back and that is why I am not keen to leave it to go natural as well as the growing out phase. Also feel I am fairly young to let it go.

Any helpful suggestions appreciated.

Depends what you are reacting to what the solution is. You might do a two step colouring, first a very very very weak bleach bath (that is what is in all the permanent box dyes to open the cuticle, even the dark ones) followed by a semi permanent colour if you can tolerate those separately. There are no major nasties in semi permanents, they are based on conditioner and can safely be left on for hours at a time in many people, but still do a patch test.

If you have different porosities and damaged hair lengths, don't put the semi permanent dye on the lengths for as long and/ or dilute with a light silicone free conditioner. Since switching to conditioner only washing I barely dye the lengths at all and they don't fade, the roots get several hours (needed for a bright colour) then I add loads of conditioner and spread the diluted colour through the lengths before washing out. I also use coconut oil to reduce porosity, but as the hair damaged by Live XXL and sulphate shampoos grows out it's much less of a problem anyway.

I have sensitive skin and can tolerate the Garnier Nutrisse Radiant Blondes because these are very weak and sulphate free. I switched to this from Live XXL which was causing dermatitis around my ears. That Nutrisse lifts literally a couple of shades and open the cuticle, I then do a semi over the top, in my case quite a bright unnatural colour! You might find a mobile hairdresser to do your roots, they can work not to touch the product to your scalp in a way you cannot. But obviously still only use products you are not reacting to. The other option is your local hairdressing college for moneysaving.

For milder allergies it can be worth working on strengthening your skin barrier and calming inappropriate immune responses. As far as topicals go stop using any product that contains sulphates or other anionic surfactants, and any alkaline shampoos or soaps - that includes most commercial shampoos and many box dyes including the Natur Vital you tried. Try a shampoo based on a gentle surfactant like cocoamidopropyl betaine or even conditioner only washing. Sulphates are evil, research suggests they thin the skin's protective layer, the stratus corneum, at concentrations as low as 1% (shampoo is ~20%! :eek:). Consider a very weak white vinegar rinse after shampooing to help your skin's acid mantle recover.

Lastly work on skin health and the immune system from the inside, take an honest look at your diet and lifestyle. Look to eat anti inflammatory and a wide range of wholefoods supplying the full complement of nutrients the body needs for health. Particularly consider oily fish for the omega-3s. Cleaning up the diet can massively improve reactive skin conditions like dermatitis and also make hayfever totally asymptomatic, however it is not effective on severe allergic reactions like anaphylaxis.

Fire_Fox

starrystarry wrote: »

In the past I've had minor reactions from hair dyes. Now I only use the 10 minute ones (L'Oreal Excell 10 or Clairol Perfect 10). I've never had a reaction from either of those. Maybe it's because they're not on your scalp for as long. They are permanent though. Also, when I rinse the colour off I shampoo my hair to make sure there are no chemicals left on my scalp. This seems to help as well. Can't guarantee it'll work for you though, you still need to do a patch test I guess.

I *think* both of those are sulphate free which is interesting. I tried the Perfect 10 and found it very harsh on my hair, just too strong.

starrystarry

Fire_Fox wrote: »

I *think* both of those are sulphate free which is interesting. I tried the Perfect 10 and found it very harsh on my hair, just too strong.

I imagine they could be quite harsh on the hair, you have to be careful with your timing certainly. I only need to use one about every 4 months so I've not noticed any damage to the condition of my hair. Does it make a difference whether you use the blonde or brown ones? Is one or the other likely to be harsher?

mumofronnienreggie

Blonde hair dyes will always be a bit more harsh than brown black red etc because with blonde ( am talking permenants) you are removing hair pigment from the hair and then adding the artificial colour, with the others you are generally just adding. they all involve opening up the cuticle of the hair to access the cortex but its what goes on inside there which defines how aggressive the colouring processes is. Regardless of whether they use ammonia or another chemical reaction to get in there, something is needed to open up the hair enough to process. Always make sure you do a colour patch test either behind your ear or in the crook of your elbow 24 hours before colouring and this should give you a good indication of whether you are going to react or not.
xxx ( qualified hair person ) xxx