well be honest with yourselves...when we sat in the chair and our eyes were burning and nose running...did we really think this is ok??
i remember hearing about jackie kennedy and her lymphoma being linked to her “dark hair dye"…
i remember also using a coffee stirrer to scratch my head while waiting the 30 mins or so while the color set…

thanks for the article(s) now i will pass them on to my friends “on the fence” !!

hey think there is any “second hand “ chemical reaction while sitting in the salon???

Posted by louann on 08/21 at 06:25 AM

Most certainly Louann!!  I am now in the process of looking for a salon where I can go for a hair cut without having to endure the “cauldron of chemicals” that we inhale when we walk into (or even walk by) most salons. 

Posted by lulubell on 08/21 at 06:37 AM

I loved this article!!  We need to fully understand the consequences of our actions.  I wish you all the best Christine, no person should have to endure what you did.  By choosing not to dye our hair we can each do our small part to put an end to this!

Posted by lulubell on 08/21 at 06:42 AM

Christine - Thanks for your article. I had the burning, itching, eyes watering, gasping for air feelings. Honestly, my main reason to stop the dye was fear of what it was doing to my health. The thing that aggravates me is that we look GREAT with our natural colors - yet we were endangering our health to fit in with our culture’s idea of beauty.

I love your beautiful hair Christine, and wish you the best!

Posted by greeneyes on 08/21 at 06:53 AM

Lulubell, you may have to settle for a barber shop! Unless you actually start your “green salon!”

Christine’s story IS frightening. I put it up precisely because so many women kept asking if the burning was normal. It isn’t. There is a difference between a slight tingling and burning, however. Burning can lead to blistering. Tingling can be a precursor—or not. I would regard it with suspicion. It is also “normal” for toxic fumes to cause your eyes to water and your nose to run. They can even give you an asthmatic reaction. That doesn’t mean you have a PPD allergy. It’s just something else that’s unpleasant about dyeing.

I think we’re all glad that we’re not subjecting ourselves to this anymore. And I do hope those who are tempted to go back on the bottle read this story.

Posted by Diana Jewell on 08/21 at 07:54 AM

You know, as I read this story I have to wonder if I was suffering from PPD.  I never really gave it a thought.  I had the occasional itching and some burning too.  I did come down with some sores on my scalp that the Dermatologist suggested might be psoriasis and that is what I was treated for.  I never really thought about the possibility that it could be caused by my hair dye! I have also developed some severe allergic reactions to “airborne” allergens.  Kind of makes me wonder. 

Posted by Aziza on 08/21 at 08:20 AM

More likely contact dermatitis, Aziza. But I’m not a derm and I don’t play one on TV.

Posted by Diana Jewell on 08/21 at 08:44 AM

Diana...so great you posted christines story here...we are childhood friends and she warned me of the dangers years ago and I did not listen until i had my own reactions.  I applaud you Christine for courage to speak out and share your storY and Diana I applaud you for posting this important message on your this wonderful site. NOw if I can only get through this transitioning skunk stripe stage !

lisashere

Posted by lisashere on 08/21 at 10:50 AM

Thanks for all your positive comments and compliments! Truthfully, I get scared just re-reading my own story!
A ‘Green Salon’ would be an amazing business to get going!

Aziza, scout out a dermatologist that specializes in cosmetic contact dermatitis . Living with severe reactions to items of unknown origin is not pleasant. Been there, done that. There is testing and products that can safely be used once you know what you are dealing with.

Posted by silverdog on 08/21 at 02:25 PM

Oh, just so you all know, “silverdog” is Christine’s posting name.  Forgot to mention that.

And lisashere—you truly made the right decision. Especially after seeing what Christine went through first hand. You’ll get through the skunk stage, trust me.  Are you keeping your hair long? Just pull it back for awhile, and watch the magic happen.

Posted by Diana Jewell on 08/21 at 05:45 PM

Christine—I don’t blame you for getting nervous reading your own story. It’s a little like post traumatic stress syndrome. But you were very brave to post this, and we all thank you!

Posted by Diana Jewell on 08/21 at 05:47 PM

Funny, I just read this thread to my 20 year old daughter and we realized that no one knew I was ‘Silverdog’!

Thanks for the introduction, Diana!

Posted by silverdog on 08/21 at 05:48 PM

Diana- I do suffer from post traumatic stress syndrome from childhood and yes, this is the same! Wise woman you are!

Are you having a NYC meeting soon? I am just across the river.

Posted by silverdog on 08/21 at 05:51 PM

Hadn’t planned on one any time soon, but maybe we could have a NY-area mini meet!

Posted by Diana Jewell on 08/21 at 08:15 PM

Would love it!
Thanks again for educating woman and inspiring me to come out of the closet on this. I have a Facebook page and posted the link and am getting so much feedback. Hopefully, it will remain in the back of people’s mind .
The links are going to Ireland, where someone’s friend/relative is having problems linked back to dyeing her hair etc!
If that is the one person my experience has helped, already I am grateful for stepping up!
And how great is Perri Jackson? AND my dear friend Lisashere!!!!

Posted by silverdog on 08/22 at 05:13 AM

You cast a pebble in the water, and you don’t know how far it ripples. That’s what is so wonderful about the internet. I’m glad this story may help so many others, Christine.

Posted by Diana Jewell on 08/22 at 05:51 AM

This is very interesting.  I have forwarded it on to my mother who dyes her hair a dark brown.  Don’t know if she ever has any burning or other reactions to her hair color.  I did experience itching and burning and the occasional, sorry if it sounds gross, scab/sore spot.  Not a one since I quit dying!  Makes you wonder....

Posted by grayincali on 08/22 at 08:39 AM

Maybe that will convince her to come over to your side, Grayincali! And just because she hasn’t, doesn’t mean she can’t. It’s bio-cumulative. Some women like to take their chances, and that’s fine, too. Just as long as everyone knows there are risks.

Posted by Diana Jewell on 08/22 at 09:23 AM

Thank you, Christine, for telling your story.  It’s truly horrifying.  I’ve sent a link for this page to all my friends and I hope they each send it on to others, too! 

I’ve never colored, but my scalp burned like fire with my last perm, over 25 years ago now.  At the time I vowed I would NEVER perm my hair again.  It’s straight and I planned learn to love it that way — and I have.  That reaction may have been from different ingredients than PPD (probably it was) but the one experience was enough for me.

Posted by HomekeepingGran on 08/22 at 12:38 PM

Christine,
Many thanks for telling your story here. It’s invaluable to anyone who reads it. 

Knowing the direct and indirect consequences of one’s actions doesn’t always make a difference. “That won’t happen to me” is the usual reaction.

Putting a toxic chemical on or in your body will have consequences. 

Smoking - we’ve known for years that it’s linked to lung cancer, emphysema, bronchitis, etc.  Nanny died at 70 after smoking for 55 years, but that was back in 1970. Once she was diagnosed with emphysema and carcinoma, she was hospitalized and passed away within a month. 

Yet, her daughter (my mother) smoked for 7 decades, even after her mother’s death, until recently.  She was diagnosed with COPD.  Then she stopped and carries around her oxygen tank everywhere she goes.  Before this, nothing I could have said, no proof presented to her, that what she was doing would have dire consequences, made a difference.
Even her wheezing and coughing and chronic bronchitis and an occasional bout with pneumonia.

The chemicals in hair dye seem to be just as irritating and toxic.  I used to use my pencil to scratch my itching and eventually burning scalp - I did crossword puzzles in the chair to keep my mind off the pain and smell. 

I plan to send this article to people I know who color their hair.

Posted by Barbara on 08/22 at 09:17 PM

Christine, was your story in the book that Goldie sent to Oprah?

Posted by Barbara on 08/22 at 09:19 PM

One more thing, Christine.  I love your hair!

Posted by Barbara on 08/22 at 09:19 PM

The more comments I read here the more inspired I am to spread the message to those who continue to color their hair. Why didn’t I realize this a long, long time ago??  I suppose it takes an “extreme” reaction to dye to convince most of us to stop the abuse. I feel so fortunate to have found GGLG! I have been “enlightened” over and over again since finding this site!

Posted by lulubell on 08/23 at 06:36 AM

Glad you’re going to get the word out, but I think this is the perfect time to remind everybody about Content from this site. I’m sure, Lulubell, you have no intention of doing this, but. . .

If any of you are posting this on your Facebook pages, or in any other medium, you do know that content cannot be taken from GGLG without proper crediting and/or a link to the site, right? You can also not rename or retitle the article. And you must also credit the author.  Sorry, but all those “rules” are spelled out under Terms and Conditions (blue bar below.)

I am very happy to have this word get out—to everybody you know. But in the wide world of intellectual properties, there are some very stringent regulations.

Thanks for your cooperation, everybody!

Posted by Diana Jewell on 08/23 at 07:57 AM

HI Diana...To answer your question, yes I am keeping it long right now...I dont have the courage to chop it and am afraid if i do I will really feel out of sorts.. Once i get ahold of my camera my daughter has her hands on I will consider sending in some pictures.... (never been a big picture person) but I suppose its my turn to show and tell

Posted by lisashere on 08/23 at 08:32 AM

Oh yes, show and tell! Wanna be a Newbie?

Posted by Diana Jewell on 08/23 at 08:35 AM

I completely understand Diana, not to worry!

Posted by lulubell on 08/23 at 10:13 AM

Great article!!  I wish this could be posted in salons all over!

Posted by Debbie on 08/25 at 07:19 AM

Hi Barbara,
Yes, my letter was included in the book of letters to Oprah. I hope it helps and is not a hinderance to the rest. I am not quite sure how they will react due to the fact that their advertisers include companies that manufacture these products!

I changed the formula and brand after a major reaction thinking I was going to be just fine. I only had the itching the second time around. Then, Wham!
My own family still dyes their hair and a couple have health issues that may be associated to chemicals. Our perceptions of youth and beauty are so individual and denial is a very strong defense mechanism!
Thanks, Debbie!

Posted by silverdog on 08/25 at 08:11 AM

Luann as usual you hit the nail on the head with your comment! How many years did we all sit there, thinking that itching, burning, and even scabbing was just the price of beauty My stylist even used to hand me a rat-tail comb to scratch with!

I didn’t know that about Jackie Kennedy. For myself, my scalp is thanking me The itching, and weird breakouts around my ears are a thing of the past!

Thanks Diana, and Christine for the article.

Posted by Medusa on 08/25 at 11:30 AM

Medusa, for years, and I do mean years, my eyes watered all of the time. They always felt irritated and itchy.  My Mother had the same problem and I just thought that I had inherited it from her. Here is the interesting part, my Mother used to dye her hair Jet black...just a solid dark black!!!  I can remember her being in the bathroom doing her colour and the smell was so intense and the mess was everywhere!  She would constantly complain about her watery eyes, just as I used to do......until I gave up the hair dye a year ago!!  I can HONESTLY say that the watery, itchy eyes have vanished.........just like magic.......only it’s NOT magic.......it was undisputedly the result of the hair dye.  I had been colouring my hair since my early teens!!  Thankfully I found GGLG!  The rest as they say is history, my hair colouring days are OVER!

Posted by lulubell on 08/25 at 03:31 PM

Christine, thank you for a very informative and convincing letter. Not that I needed any convincing, but I will pass the information on, when and where it may be appropriate. I also had itching and burning and turned to semi permanent dye. That seemed OK for a while until I began to think about the WHY!!! What was I trying to say? I happened to come across this website and the color was history.
I hope your message will help and I will try my best to help by example.
One more thought. You look amazing! I can’t imagine what color could have done for you. Mother Nature does know best

Posted by silvercurl on 08/25 at 04:28 PM

Lulubell funny that you should mention that; my long bangs sweep over my right eye, and that eye has been itching and watering for years too! The opthomologist was unable to find a cause. It will be interesting to see if that goes away once all the dyed hair is cut off. One more benefit- thanks!

Posted by Medusa on 08/25 at 11:00 PM

Christine,

Excellent writeup on a life threatening topic.  I am sorry you got to the point of being cross sensitized.

I now consider myself lucky to have missed that boat but only by a hair dye or two.  A severe reaction put me on the hunt for info in 2006.  From that I learned that the impact of PPD and the ignorance of our country on this is frightening. Not to mention the prevalence of kids dying their hair for fun these days - well it’s about time the news comes out.

If you and Perri need another supporter - count me in!

Posted by morningstar on 08/27 at 01:17 AM

This is such a great article and so many of us have had similar experiences.  I only ever used the blonde shades which have less PPD I think, and I never reacted to a patch test, but still had problems possibly because there are as there are so many potential allergens and irritants in hair dyes besides PPD. 
Just wanted to add my experience - my itchy eyes have more or less cleared up since I stoppped dyeing too.
Christine I am so glad you are recovering!

Posted by silverlake on 08/27 at 03:49 AM

Thanks for the support and well wishes!

There is so much awareness now about our bodies and how they function, our living earth and the atmosphere surrounding it, and how our actions have a direct impact on not only ourselves, but the people and environment around it. It is only a matter of time before more and more become aware of the highly toxic substances that are sitting on their scalps, ear lobes,and eyebrows every few weeks.
As women ‘go green’ at the grocer, perhaps they will ‘go green’ at the salon as well.
You guys are the true beacons of change and inspiration, since you all did it before any health reasons necessitated it. You are the ones that should be applauded and it is because of that, this will come to light.
Each day one more woman decides that she has had enough of the hassles and health risks associated with hair dye, not to mention the expense, and goes gray, she paves the way for another!
How many times has each of you been in a parking lot, at the airport, a supermarket, wherever, and another woman has commented about how much she wishes she could just go gray? It blows me away each time. They believe it won’t look as good, but judging from the pics on this website, everyone looks better in the ‘after’ shots! They all glow!
Diana has started a revolution and I am honored to be a part of it!

Posted by silverdog on 08/27 at 05:35 AM

Silverdog,
I agree with your comment about everyone looking better with their natural hair color.  It’s illuminating!

Great point.  I presume that ‘one hand washes the other’, directly and indirectly, in the advertising business on TV. How much are advertisers able to control program content? 

I know that advertisers pull adds when there’s something controversial and programs pick up and drop ads for many reasons. 

Morningstar,
The idea that kids color their hair with the stuff is one that I think is significant. I’ve worked with many middle and high school students for years.  Most had been experimenting with color. 

Medusa,
That’s a coincidence.  Dye, shampoo and the other hair products may be having an even greater impact on our health. 

Barbara

Posted by Barbara on 08/27 at 10:29 AM

Christine, thank you so much for sharing your story. It just reconfirms for me that I have made the right decision to stop they dyeing! This topic definitely needs more exposure. Maybe Goldie could include this in her Oprah campaign.

Posted by Jacque on 09/15 at 07:05 PM

Thanks for this article, Christine. It helps to know that I am not alone—I have confirmed sensitivities to petroleum-based products, and developed an awful eye infection from a dye session last fall.

I’m glad I stopped coloring as the stinging was getting worse even before the eye infection (which may have saved me from an anaphylactic reaction n the salon chair!).

You look great, BTW.

Posted by Johanna on 09/24 at 07:56 AM

Thanks, Johanna.

I am interested to know what happened to you and how it was confirmed if you don’t mind sharing.

I feel so alone and on the outside often. I understand, it is scary especially when an illness looms or a decision such as whether or not to get a flu vaccine.

Feel free to shoot me an email.

Posted by silverdog on 09/24 at 08:23 AM

Hi Silverdog,

I shared my experiences via email for you. Thanks for getting in touch.

Posted by Johanna on 10/01 at 08:26 AM

Wow!  I colored my hair for almost 20 years, and I didn’t know this. Thanks for the heads up!

Posted by blackbird668 on 01/02 at 07:11 PM

Christine,
You are an angel to share your story with us. Because of your story, I was able to recognize my early warning symptoms, and have completely stopped coloring my hair after 20 years of subjecting myself to hair dye.

Posted by silverfoxinSLC on 05/31 at 04:27 PM

Well, thanks for the story, Christine.

I wish I could convince my niece, age 19, to stop dyeing her hair.  Don’t you think she’s too young for this?  She’s been going artificial for several years.  I can’t even remember what her natural color looked like, but I know it was perfectly lovely!

I told her that she could do a lot with highlighting instead, but she rejected that notion.

I suppose I could appeal to the health affects of all this.  But would that be enough?  Nah, probably not.

If anything, I believe I’ll say to her that she’ll never have another time in her life when her natural hair will have the sheen and bounce that it does right now.  And that after her 20’s, some of the shine will have dulled.  She’s wasting that generous allowance of her life by getting a fake kind of shining.

Her hair does NOT look good.  Period.

Posted by 925sterling on 06/20 at 08:27 PM

Hi Silverdog,
Newbie here, but just wanted to let you know that there really are GREEN salons.  I found one here in my town and will be scouting it out to see if it is a “fume-free” zone.
Eco-salons as they are called, are starting to pop up all over now. :D

Posted by naturallyme on 08/31 at 10:44 AM

Sorry that I have not responded before to all of your comments! I have been so busy enjoying life as I knew it before the chemical injury!

Actually, I have never felt better in my life. Thanks in part to the hair dye, I am now completely chemical and gluten free. I feel amazing. I am pretty sure most of the reactions have ‘ burned out’ thankfully but I am still not about to risk eating or drinking anything ‘artificially colored’. No ER visits for quite some time! Knock on wood!

No green salon for me, although I am happy to see that they are opening up all over the place! It is high time that woman take charge of their entire package and not just the parts.

I will never color my hair again. The freedom of not having to ‘do it’ every 3 - 4 weeks to please others and their perception of me is so incredibly empowering! I highly recommend it!

BTW - I find it extremely funny since I am now referred too as ‘ the blonde’ ! haha xox

Posted by silverdog on 08/31 at 11:27 AM