Hair dye sensitivity

[minnime63]

Hello all. The last couple of times I've dyed my hair I've ended up with a lumpy and terribly itchy scalp! I think it may be more to do with the lupus than APR,  as those symptoms have worsened.  Does anyone else get this and dies anyone know of a dye for sensitive scalps? I'm not ready to be grey just yet!

[minnime63]

APS, not APR!

[lynzy]

Your skin will be more sensitive to the contents of hair dye. If you suffer with continual hair loss too, then there will be exposed follicles from recent hair loss thatallows dye into them as they wont have closed over fully. You could ask your hairdresser to use a dye on your hair that requires a lower 'vol %' to lessen the severity of its effects. Or you could choose a dye nearer to your own hair colour that would be a lot milder. You could opt for highlights instead, which dont touch your scalp at all. Your hairdresser will know this, so its worth asking for their help

[minnime63 in reply to lynzy]

Thanks, yes I DO suffer lots of hair loss - hadn't thought of that. I'll talk to my hairdresser x

[Beartje]

Hi minime63, I have a perfume/fragrance allergy, but no white hairs yet. If you want to dye your hair yourself, you could try Sante herbal hair color (sante.de/en/produkte/pflanz.... I haven't tried it mysef yet, but this would be my choice if I would need a product like this now. My aunt has an allergy for black colors in hair dye, so she does not dye at all anymore. Not sure obviously what is the cause of your reaction, could be the color itself, or the fragrance or another component of the product you tried.

[minnime63 in reply to Beartje]

Thank you! I'll check that one out c

[Yissica]

Do you do a skin test for 48 hours before using the dye? This should show any allergies. Also go for ones without a hydrogen peroxide Base as this can be irritating to skin.

[minnime63]

Thanks, Yissica.  I have used the same dye for years but definitely think I have become more sensitive- can't use hairspray or other products. I'll have to look for sensitive prods.

[Misty68]

Hi,

I had a terrible reaction to a dark brown home dye from a well known brand after years of dying my hair. The whole of my scalp blistered and was weeping & bleeding. My GP told me that darker dyes had more phenylenediamines which can cause allergic reactions in some people.  He asked me if I had ever had a henna tattoo, which I haven't but I had used henna hair dye from the Body Shop in the past believing it to be natural and therefore safer. He also told me that permanent dyes with hydrogen peroxide are safer than semi permanents as they need to use less colourant to achieve same result. He assured me hydrogen peroxide is no more likely to trigger a reaction than water. I grew all the dye out the hard way by having my hair cut short (from shoulder length) and wearing a hat! I then tried these alternative herbal dyes from a health shop but they were useless. Grey hair can be very resistant to colourants and these so called safe dyes just did not take.

I then went to a top hairdresser and had my hair highlighted. This worked very well as the dye does not touch your skin as much and being honey blonde/ light caramel brown contained much less of the nasty chemicals. I stayed highlighted for three years, but due to the cost (£130 every 6 weeks) I took the plunge and went darker with a solid colour. My hairdresser uses Wella Illumia and I have a mid brown colour. NO reaction. Hair looks fab and really glossy. Also, much less hair loss than when I home dyed. I actually have tufty bits growing back at my receding temples. All the dyes used were permanent and contained hydrogen peroxide.

If you have had this reaction, do not ignore it. Hair dye allergy can be fatal. Get professional help from a qualified colourist.

[MelissaHedden]

Yes, I am a professional hairdresser and, two main chemicals in colourants are polyphenylenediamines and resorcinol that cause allergies. These chemicals are even in dyes that don't use peroxide so always do a allergy test by applying in product neat on the skin for 48 hours or, as instructed. 

The chemicals are use in floor strippers and other corrosive products. They are used in dye to open the cuticle of the hair shaft to allow the dye pigment to penetrate into the hair. Otherwise it would be washed out immediately. 

 If you do have any type of sensitivity consult your doctor. As stated by Misty88, allergic reaction from dye can be fatal by anaphylactic shock. 

[Kate-L]

I've developed scalp sensitivity due to my Lupus and for the last ten/fifteen years have been unable to use most colour products you can buy over the counter as, like you, I end up with a lumpy and itchy scalp.  In the end I went to my hairdresser for help and he's found a low peroxide colour by Revlon.  They are one of only a couple of companies which make this low peroxide dye and you need to either have the colour done by a professional hairdresser/colourist who knows what they are doing, or buy the product from a hairdresser wholesalers.  I hope you find something soon to help you. xxx

[minnime63]

Thank you! I'll look into it