Re: Hair colour dye for sensitive skin to cover grey hair regrowth after Chemotherapy?

[Doughnut21]

Hello ladies, I've finished chemo 4 months ago and my hair has now grown back to about just over an inch long. I'm very pleased that it's grown back again, although it's grown back mostly silver-grey now whereas it was 75% dark brown before the chemo. I wondered if any of you ladies who's hair has grown back grey after chemo, have used a hair colour which is suitable for fairly sensitive skin (I used to use one called Herbatint before the chemo, but as that contains peroxide, i'm a bit nervous of trying it now, after the chemo, in case my skin is still more sensitive and I get a skin reaction. Just wondered if any of you have used any hair colour dyes which cover grey-silver hair (if you've used a semi-permanent hair colour, how long did it last before washing out/ colour fading? I'm happy anyway, that my hair has grown back - whatever colour....although it'd be nice to have some colour in it again! I hope you are all doing well and stay safe! Debbie

[SASSY196]

Hi, I'm 54 so a little older than you, when my hair grew back last year I had gone totally grey. I decided to go with the new look though as was anxious about chemicals. There is a new website I saw discussed on the Lorraine show ( UK) which lists lots of beauty treatments etc that are ok whilst on chemotherapy. I can't comment on the quality of products but may have some ideas. If you Google the c list Helen Addis and Lisa potter Dixon you should be able to find it. Good luck whatever colour you go for xxx

[Doughnut21 in reply to SASSY196]

Thanks very much for your replies and information re: colouring hair, after chemo. Yes, I will have a look at those products and websites and do a bit of research about gentle hair colours. As Macmillan advise waiting at least 6-9 months before colouring hair after chemo, I've finished chemo 4 months ago so i'll wait another two months until my hair is a bit longer. I will definately let you know how I get on. The main thing is I'm doing well after having surgery 6 months ago and finishing chemo 4 months ago and I only have another 7 Avastin treatments to go, so I'm getting through the treatments and my last CA125 blood tests results were very good (at 7), which is very encouraging! I am happy to have my hair back anyway...whatever the colour at present! Keep strong and keep smiling! Debbie x

[Raynebeau]

Hi, my hair grew back mostly grey too but as it got thicker it got darker. After a year of regrowth my hair is now very dark brown. I still have some greys through it so I use a colour mousse. It’s one that washes out but I find it lasts for ages in my hair and I only need to apply it once a fortnight. It’s a bit like fake tan for the hair! It’s obviously not as harsh as a permanent dye, easier to apply and cheaper too. Hope you find something that works for you. X

[Riverflo in reply to Raynebeau]

Hi, thanks for sharing. My hair is an inch long and grey, like Debbie's and it's encouraging to know that it may develop some colour over time as I don't want to use artificial colour again. x

[Doughnut21 in reply to Raynebeau]

Thanks Raynebeau for your advice. I'd like to try a colour mousse too, as I'm worried about permanent hair colour making my hair more brittle. Do you recommend any particular brand? Also, does it rub off onto your pillow? (Hopefully it doesn't). thanks and wishing you all the best , Debbie x

[Brum1966]

Hi lovely, I am also 54 I had my last chemo session 28th Sept and yes lots of grey in regrowth. I can't wait to have some colour put back in but all the advise say wait 6 months which is what I am doing and also leaving it to my stylist so end of March I should be good to go. Hair after chemo is very sensitive so my advise would be to leave it as long as you can, I was until recently still using aveeno scalp relief shampoo but now back on my old shampoo and conditioner. I sometimes look at my hair and think there is a honey hue coming in but not sure if it's just the light catching it. I cannot wait to have some colour in my hair as I had really long layered at the front blonde with some nice light brown tones before and it was losing my hair that was most distressing in the beginning (how silly really in the great scheme of things) try not to rush into anything you don't want to break off what little hair you have and maybe get some expert advise by someone you trust. Good luck and please let me know how you get on xx

[Doughnut21 in reply to Brum1966]

Hi Brum1966, i've posted a general reply below...thanks for your message! x

[Doughnut21 in reply to Brum1966]

Thanks very much for your replies and information re: colouring hair, after chemo. Yes, I will have a look at those products and websites and do a bit of research about gentle hair colours. I will definately let you know how I get on. x

[Numi]

I had long red hair before chemo, but it grew back jet black and completely white, giving me an iron grey. It looked so unusual with my red-haired skin tone (fair with freckles), that I left it for several months after chemo and kept it short before starting to experiment with wash out colour - Bleach London or L'Oreal Colorista in turquoise, pink, blue and purple. Purple and blue are my favourites or both at once. I use a purple shampoo as well. I get so many people asking where I get my colour done. The colour fades away gradually over a dozen or so washes, but the blue lingers longer to give an icy tone to my hair.

[Doughnut21 in reply to Numi]

Thanks very much for your replies and information re: colouring hair, after chemo. Yes, I will have a look at those products and websites and do a bit of research about gentle hair colours. xx

[Leniko]

My scalp was very sensitive post-chemo until I found ammonia-free color. Try that. Good luck.

[Doughnut21 in reply to Leniko]

Thanks very much for your replies and information re: colouring hair, after chemo. Yes, I will have a look at those products and websites and do a bit of research about gentle hair colours. xx

[March2017]

I used Olia anything without Amonia is fine

[Doughnut21 in reply to March2017]

Thanks very much for your replies and information re: colouring hair, after chemo. Yes, I will have a look at those products and websites and do a bit of research about gentle hair colours. xx

[Laz66]

Hello, I asked for advice from my local supplier and they advised that a gentle product which lots of people had used after chemo and / or with sensitive scalp was XP 200 natural flair. My hairdresser mixed this with lower vol peroxide and I had this done at 6 weeks after chemo and it was fine and I have been using it since . You must do a test first and I am certainly no expert. Good luck. X

[Doughnut21 in reply to Laz66]

Thanks very much for your replies and information re: colouring hair, after chemo. Yes, I will have a look at those products and websites and do a bit of research about gentle hair colours. xx

[Doughnut21]

Thanks very much for your replies and information re: colouring hair, after chemo. Yes, I will have a look at those products and websites and do a bit of research about gentle hair colours. As Macmillan advise waiting at least 6-9 months before colouring hair after chemo, I've finished chemo 4 months ago so i'll wait another two months until my hair is a bit longer. I will definately let you know how I get on. Keep strong and keep smiling! Debbie x

[Doughnut21 in reply to Doughnut21]

Thanks very much for your replies and information re: colouring hair, after chemo. Yes, I will have a look at those products and websites and do a bit of research about gentle hair colours. xx

[girakoch]

I use L'Oreal Chromative semi-permanent colour mixed to a formula given by my hairdresser.No peroxide or ammonia. I find I have do it every 2 or 3 weeks if I want a deep colour which is a bind, but it's easy to apply. I wore a fetching hat for a long time after chemo until my hair acquired some length. I don't wash my hair frequently so it doesn't dry out.

[Doughnut21 in reply to girakoch]

Thanks Girakoch, for your reply, the semi-permanent colour sounds like a very good idea, as it sounds more gentle than a permanent hair colour. I'll give it a try in a couple of months when my hair gets a little longer. Thanks and take care of yourself. Best Wishes, Debbie