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I have an allergy to hair dye, what other options do I have?

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Hello,

I recently had a bad reaction to a full head of highlights with foils and a whole head of colour for the first time in 20 years and have been told I should no longer colour my hair.

I am naturally very dark brown with grey and had a blonde whole head to cover 20% of the grey. I did have long thick hair which I had trimmed to a bob, which is bad enough, but now I have two inches of dark brown and grey roots with blonde ends.

Can I do something about this with hair extensions or a wig? Are non PPD hair colours safer? Yours desperately...

Anon, UK

If you have had a severe allergic reaction to a hair colour, then I would be extremely cautious about colouring your hair in the future. You should have a skin test before you undertake any service as reactions can sometimes get worse.

Most hair colours and dyes contain the PPD that people are allergic to, as yet I have not discovered a permanent or demi-permanent product that doesn't contain this ingredient.

I have recently been watching many videos on YouTube that feature the transitions of women's hair from coloured to grey, these are quite inspiring and suggest you have a look. They use wigs, pieces and clever styling to mask their grey hair whilst it grows through!

John Clark, Head of Colour at Brooks+Brooks, London