Scalp burning from hair dye

[Anonymous]

I'm 43yo and have been highlighting and sometimes coloring my hair since my late teen years, mostly in a professional setting, but occasionally on my own. I went to my regular salon today and got a dark brown shade to cover my gray roots along with subtle highlights and my scalp is on fire! It's very red and irritated like a bad sunburn. I had the same process, with the same colors, done on my previous visit without issues, so what gives?

Was the color mixed inappropriately or maybe left on too long? There was no heat processing involved and I didn't experience pain when the dye was on. It wasn't until after I got home that the pain started and only continues to increase. I know that bleaching can cause irritation, but didn't expect it with a darker shade.

I obviously know not to wash it for several days to let the natural oils build back up, but is there anything else I can do in the meantime to help with the irritation? I can reach out to my stylist tomorrow but am in pain now and not sure what to do as this never happened before. All suggestions welcome!

[Anonymous]

I'd wash my head. Screw it. But I'm not super gray.

[Anonymous]

You’ve developed an allergy. It happened. Ask your salon if they can do a non-ammonia color. That often works fine fir people who’ve become allergic to hair dye.

[Anonymous]

In fact, I always wash after I dye.

[Anonymous]

And yes, I’d try a gentle wash tonight

[Anonymous]

I've had this happen with toner they put on my hair to tone down the too light highlights they gave me.

[Anonymous]

I've had this happen with toner they put on my hair to tone down the too light highlights they gave me.

I would wash it out immediately OP.

[Anonymous]

OP here and they did wash it thoroughly - twice - afterwards before the cut so it seems unlike that any residue is still left. Is there any product like a hair oil or conditoner that I should try tonight?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You’ve developed an allergy. It happened. Ask your salon if they can do a non-ammonia color. That often works fine fir people who’ve become allergic to hair dye.

Agree. This is actually pretty common; developing hair dye allergy after years of use. The most likely culprit is PPD, but could also be resorcinol or ammonia. Ammonia free hair dye will be the easiest to find, so would try that first. It is harder to find formulas without PPD and resorcinol but they are out there.

In the mean time, take some Benadryl

[Anonymous]

I always wash my hair the day after coloring/highlighting. I gave my entire life. It never changes the color, or the natural oil (wtf are you talking about?).

Even the colorist washes your hair right after the process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I always wash my hair the day after coloring/highlighting. I gave my entire life. It never changes the color, or the natural oil (wtf are you talking about?).

Even the colorist washes your hair right after the process.

Every stylist I have been to says wait 48 hrs to wash. Something to do with the dye and cuticle closing to seal it in I think

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I always wash my hair the day after coloring/highlighting. I gave my entire life. It never changes the color, or the natural oil (wtf are you talking about?).

Even the colorist washes your hair right after the process.

Every stylist I have been to says wait 48 hrs to wash. Something to do with the dye and cuticle closing to seal it in I think

Never had an issue. Never been told to do that. And I go to very high end salons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I always wash my hair the day after coloring/highlighting. I gave my entire life. It never changes the color, or the natural oil (wtf are you talking about?).

Even the colorist washes your hair right after the process.

Every stylist I have been to says wait 48 hrs to wash. Something to do with the dye and cuticle closing to seal it in I think

Ummm. They was your hair right after coloring, pretty vigorously in the salon. So 48 hours after they just washed it ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I always wash my hair the day after coloring/highlighting. I gave my entire life. It never changes the color, or the natural oil (wtf are you talking about?).

Even the colorist washes your hair right after the process.

Every stylist I have been to says wait 48 hrs to wash. Something to do with the dye and cuticle closing to seal it in I think

Ummm. They was your hair right after coloring, pretty vigorously in the salon. So 48 hours after they just washed it ?

They are washing out the residual dye. What's left needs time to cure