Hair colour during chemo?

Hi everyone I hope you don't think of me as shallow when I ask this as as understand alot of people lose their hair completely like a friend of mine has but I feel terrible that I have blond hair and after not using hair dye since I started chemo in may this year I have shocking black thick roots and I'm going to a family wedding in 2 weeks time on my good week between chemo and I'd feel a hundred times more fresher and normal if I could only dye the hair!

The cancer team can't answer the question they say don't do it just incase you have an allergic reaction with the chemicals in it and mixed with chemo as it goes onto the scalp.

They say henna dyes are safer but not completely safe but they won't work on my colour  I need a very blond one!

I don't know what to do although I have bought a box dye it's here staring at me now! (It's got no ammonia but has got other chemicals in it)

Anyone else dyed their hair during chemo or know of anyone else who has?

Ive done my 4th cycle now and 2 more to go!

Can Anyone help?

  • Hi Gillian99, It isn't a good idea to use chemicals on your hair either during chemo or within the first 6 months after stopping chemo. This is because the hair is very susceptible to damage and you could find that it breaks or falls out completely. The chemicals used in chemo also react with the chemicals in the dye and could cause a completely different reaction. I felt the same when my hair started coming back between chemo sessions so just kept shaving my head until it was all over then when it started to grow I  spoke to my oncologist about the options. There are only really two options, either a vegetable dye or natural dyes. Treat yourself to an appointment at an Aveda salon where they specialise in natural hair colouring or Colourherbe who are very similar. I went along to my Aveda Salon about 3 months after my chemo had finished and was really impressed. I had my closed cropped hair dyed very light blonde and it looked amazing as I had previously had very dark brown hair. The person I saw had 6 other post-chemo clients and was very experienced in treating post chemo hair. Although It looked fabulous the only downfall was that it cost an arm and a leg! £87.50!! At least I consoled myself with the thought that I had saved a fortune in hairdressing , shampoo and hair products over the year!

    If you absolutely can't do without it my advice would be to make sure you only use tints or hair dyes made of natural colourants, such as henna or vegetable products.  A couple to try are Daniel Field's Watercolour (available from Sainsbury's), or Herbatint, which are formulated without ammonia.  A good alternative if you simply want to disguise roots or colour re-growth is a tinted styling mousse.  These wash out every time you wash your hair, but are a safe, quick and easy alternative to harsher dyes and tints, until you are able to start using other products again.

    Hope that helps

    Sarah

  • Ok thank you for your information.

    I feel bad going to my brothers wedding at a posh event with black roots i can't hide them they haven't been done since April they look a mess!!!

    I feel bad I'm sick and it would make me look better and feel better if my hair was nice.

    I've dyed it for 20 years never had roots this bad!

    I've looked at the salons you suggest but they have none near where I live

    Thanks again for your reply

    Best wishes

     

  • If you aren't going to dye your hair you could always try a spray on root touch up product. These are fairly new on the market but they offer a quick temporary fix.

    There's the Josh Wood root concealer from M&S

    Charles Worthington root concealer

    L'Oreal magic retouch

    or ASOS do a product called No More Roots

    I'm sure one of those will do the trick! :)

  • Hi

    i know the feeling and was in the same position, I tested on a strand of hair and it went dry and brittle.  I also tried the chemical/ammonia free ones you can get from Holland and Barrett and the dye didn't even take.  Can you try do a hair up style with a fancy accessory/hat on the top of the hair up?  

    I found even a hairdryer was drying out my hair so just did a gentle dry on the lower heat and definitely no GHDs that also makes the hair dry and brittle.  This was my experience. 

    JB

  • [[ ]]Hi again

    not sure my message made sense, but what if you tried to style your hair utilising the two tones.  Here are a couple pictures that might give you ideas if you can't dye the colour

     

     

  • Hi thanks for your help. My hair is really blond compared to the roots now it's shocking I look like a badger im not going to dye it I'm going to just go like it is but I won't be happy about it.
  • Gillian you have made the right decision about not dying your hair, most people at your stage would have lost most of their hair and would be wearing wigs, scarfs etc.  If your hair is still thick and long I would try what JB 45 has suggested by using the difference as part of a style.  Or a good facinator that you can leave on for the whole wedding.

  • Hi, i’m Janine and on my 4th cycle. Like you I have dyed blonde hair! I’m 47 and have coloured my hair since being 18. My roots are that bad there funny. I must have at least three different shades at the moment (not a good look). I am waiting for Holland & Barrett to get back to me as they do a natural tint in blonde.

    I know this post was 2016, can you tell me did you ever come across one you could use whilst on treatment. Many thanks xx