Question:
I am 5 months post-op,can I dye my hair?

I have dyed my hair red since I was 12 years old and it is getting some grey since surgery,can I dye it at home? Has anyone lost there hair after dying it?Mine has been thinning for a month or two but not to bad,I think it is slowing down. I feel great and would like my hair to look good also,should I wait till Im a year out? Thanks    — natalie J. (posted on April 18, 2004)

April 18, 2004
You should be able to, but I would have it done by a professional. This is about the time it will start falling out so you need a good, gentle product. I have colored my hair at least 6 times in the 18 months since surgery. It helps reflect the new me.
   — Tawnda C.

April 18, 2004
I had mine done at 3 months out then touched up at 6 months but I did have it done by a professional. I had it cut very short too to cover up some of the hair loss. It has stopped falling out now and is thickening up so I don't think the color hurt it.
   —  SCbabe B.

April 18, 2004
I have been doing mine at home for years. I colered it before I had surgery, then did it gain about 4 weeks later. I never had any problems with my hair thinning after WLS, regardless of using a dye.
   — koogy

April 18, 2004
I colored mine at home at about 3 months out, about the time I started having some hair loss. It did fine. My hair loss seems to be slowing down as well, I don't think the hair coloring had any effect on the hair loss at all. If anything, I think it helped my hair look fuller.
   — Patricia T.

April 19, 2004
I had my hair professionally highlighted at about 4.5 months and right after that is when I noticed my hair loss. Could be a coincidence but maybe the stress of the coloring process enhanced the hair loss. I don't know. The hair loss lasted about 2 months and then stopped. Good luck!
   — [Deactivated Member]

April 19, 2004
I use Natural Instincts..No ammonia.Actually good for your hair..
   — Kathy S.

April 19, 2004
I have been dying my hair at home for years. I continued after surgery. I did not seem to lose any major amount of hair. Good luck!!
   — Fixnmyself

April 21, 2004
At about 4-6 month is when you usually start losing hair after surgery. However I still had my hair done around that timeframe and did just fine. Good luck to you!
   — Renee B.