Oh please tell me it's safe to color my hair...

[MAlegant]

Ok, since this seems to be the BEST place for answers--when is it safe to have my hair colored?  I'm not grey, but my dark brown roots are pretty unattractive...
Thanks,
Two-toned Marci

[leapyrtwins]

Marci -

there have been a lot of posts about this topic on the forum.

Generally it's safe to color your hair when your incision is completely healed.

If in doubt whether you're completely healed or not, check with your doctor.

Jan 

[Syl]

Marcy,

I'm playing it safe by waiting 3 months post-op.

Stl

[MAlegant]

In two more months it will be pretty hideous.  Oh well.  I'll start a fad.

[yardtick]

Marci,

Are you colouring your hair yourself or going to the hairdresser?  My girlfriend is a hairdresser and this is what we did.  I got gauze cut it to cover the scar used surgical tape to adhere to my head.  Covered the gauze with plastic wrap and used more surgical tape.  It works trust me.  If you are colouring your hair yourself get your husband to help.

Anne Marie

[Jeanlea]

Marci,

That was one of the first questions I asked my doctor when I went for a check-up at two or three weeks.  He said it was fine.  I had my daughter help me so I kept it out of my eye.  That went a long way to helping me feel better.  Do you get your whole head wet when shampooing?  I would think that if you can do that, then you can color your hair.

Jean

[wendysig]

Hii Marci,

I asked my doctor this question prior to surgery and he told me four to six weeks depending on how well I was healing.  Anne Marie's advice sounds like it would be safe through.  In my opinion, to be completely sure you should check with your doctor.

"Are you colouring your hair yourself or going to the hairdresser?  My girlfriend is a hairdresser and this is what we did.  I got gauze cut it to cover the scar used surgical tape to adhere to my head.  Covered the gauze with plastic wrap and used more surgical tape.  It works trust me.  If you are colouring your hair yourself get your husband to help."

Anne Marie - thanks for the advice -- I am going gray but only in front (why can't we start going gray in the back of our heads where we don't have to look at it?) and my roots are just starting to show.  I may try your idea in a couple of weeks.  I'd love to do it sooner but am concerned about my leaky head.  Even gray roots aren't worth taking chances for.

Wendy

[NL]

Hi Marci,

I read something about waiting at least 4 weeks on one of the handouts I received, but haven't really thought about it since I'm not there yet.

I just have to say how great it is to have these questions asked by others a few weeks ahead of me post-op - and to have all this advice before I ever have to ask!

Anne Marie - I'll be sure to bring the gauze, plastic wrap, and surgical tape to my next hairdresser's appointment - great idea.

Nancy

[saralynn143]

H iMarci,

I had a different surgery, microvascular decompression (MVD) for hemifacial spasm, but it also involves a cranioplasty. Here is an excerpt from the Ask the Doctors column at the HFS Association website:

13 Q. How long following MVD must a patient wait before coloring their hair?

A. A patient should wait three (3) weeks after the operation before having hair colored.

(Source: Peter J. Jannetta, MD, Department of Neurosurgery, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA (USA) - (05/17/01)

Sara

[MAlegant]

Fabulous news.  I'm having it cut this weekend and I'll wait on the color for another week.  That will put me at 5 weeks or so.  I'll also double check with the doc.  I can just have the highlights done in the front and avoid the whole area as well.
Thanks all,
Not two-toned for long,
Marci

[Debbi]

Marci-

Just make sure you ask your surgeon before you do color.  I had to wait 3 months (yes, it was horrible!) but that was because I had the post surgical infection in my incision.  Even then, I had my colorist avoid the inch of hair near the incision.  You REALLY don't want to get any chemicals on the incision until it is completely closed.

And, I will tell you that the first post surgical hair coloring is a day to celebrate!!  My face may scare small children, but at least my hair looks great again!!   

Debbi

[mimoore]

Marci I am a primary teacher (2yrs) and a hairdresser (15 yrs). When in doubt ask your doctor before colouring your hair. I have highlights so you put a cap on pull the hair through and then apply the solution. I personally feel that putting colour (chemicals) directly on your scalp before everything is healed would not only be irritating to the newly healed skin but would also be absorbed into your skin more easily which cannot be good. If you need to colour your hair I would (or ask the hairdresser to) totally avoid that area. I feel strongly about the chemical thing because deep in my heart I feel that I got a tumour because I inhaled (hair colour) chemicals for so many years. Just my opinion.
Michelle 
Highlights are a good way to blend in your two tones. If you haven't any grey it is a great alternative and less upkeep. Good luck.

[MAlegant]

Michelle,
Thanks so much!  I was thinking just highlights and avoid that area totally?  How does that seem?  And yes, I will check with the doctor first, no worries there. 

I hope today is a good day for you--I've had a string of good ones but today sucked.  Can I say that?    My supposedly numb face feels awful--what tinnitus would feel like if it were on your skin.  Ugh. There is alcohol in my future tonight.  (For me that means one beer; I'm a pretty cheap date!)  Let me know what you think of the highlight idea.

Best,
Marci

[mimoore]

Highlights are a great idea, you can get foils with two colours. A light and a dark so it will blend your colour that is growing in. If you decide to go with the cap (which is also nice) ask if they use the rubber cap (it is painful). In my salon I use a disposable cap and it is not painful at all. You can message me and I can give you a couple of ideas for colour. Having your hair done will make you feel so much better and although today sucked tomorrow is a new day - sleep well and remember you are strong. I tell my self everyday: My body is an amazing and wonderful machine and I am a great healer! and soon enough I will believe it. Positive thoughts help healing -go get a funny movie girlfriend.
Michelle 

[Jim Scott]

We interrupt this thread for a word from our moderator:

I hope today is a good day for you--I've had a string of good ones but today sucked.  Can I say that?

You already did - but it's O.K.  Just don't use any of that dirty French street talk, vous rebelles.

Now back to our regularly scheduled AN post-op grooming thread. 

Jim