There are many fun and exciting ways to style your hair. Men or women, old or young, long, or short hair, thick or thin strands—no matter your situation, the possibilities are truly endless. Some people prefer to stick to a signature hairstyle that fits their look, and some like to try out new and different ways to wear their hair depending on their mood. Some people even take their hairstyle a step further by changing the color entirely!
Hair dye has been around for many years, but it’s never been more accessible as it is today. Many people looking for a change in color go to the salon to have their hair professionally dyed, while others grab a box of “do-it-yourself” hair dye from the store. Some people only use hair dye to maintain their natural hair color as their roots start to turn gray, but a large portion of the population use hair dye to express themselves and experiment. You can dye your hair with a natural color such as blonde, black, and brown, or you can walk around town with a bright purple hairdo—like I said, the possibilities are endless!
Though dying your hair can be a fun way to express yourself and exude confidence, it also comes with some downsides. Many people that regularly use hair dye experience thinning hair and hair loss over time. This can happen for a variety of reasons, and those who are looking to experiment with hair dye should be fully aware of the effects it can have on one’s hair health, especially when used excessively.
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How Does Hair Dye Cause Hair Loss?
There are a few particular ways that hair dye can lead to potential hair loss, including:
Weakening of the Hair Shaft
The coloring process itself can be stressful to the hair, particularly to the scalp and hair shafts. Whether you go to the salon to have your hair dyed or you do it yourself at home, the procedure involves a great deal of combing and rubbing in order to spread the dye evenly throughout the hair. Otherwise, your hair color will appear patchy and uneven. This process exerts stress on the hair shafts, pulling at the roots of your hair and loosening their grip on the hair shaft.
Exposure to harmful chemicals such as bleach, ammonia, and hydrogen peroxide
Most people try to avoid harsh chemicals in their food, medications, and skin care. However, avoiding these chemicals in your hair care is just as important. The majority of hair dyes used by both salons and over-the-counter hair dye manufacturers contain harmful chemicals like ammonia and hydrogen peroxide that can irritate the scalp and cause other unwanted side effects. Plus, if you’re looking to change your hair to a lighter or unnatural color, you’ll typically have to bleach your hair before applying the dye you want, causing harm both through the exposure to harsh chemicals and the extensive dying process that’s stressful on your hair shafts.
Drying out of the hair and scalp
Though hair dye can look great at first, it never leads to healthier hair. In fact, constant hair dying tends to damage hair, making it drier and more brittle with each treatment. When hair is more brittle, it can be pulled out more easily by everyday grooming tasks such as brushing and styling. Plus, the effects of constant hair dying are exacerbated by other common practices such as heat treatments.
Treatment Options
Hair loss can be extremely stressful, especially if your hair is one of your proudest traits. However, there are several effective ways to reduce hair loss and improve the health and strength of your hair.
The best way to enhance your hair health is to make positive changes within the hair care routine you already follow. For example, almost everyone uses shampoo to wash their hair multiple times a week. Therefore, switching out your regular shampoo with harmful chemicals for a product that can actively improve your hair health is an effortless way to create progress.
DHT blocking shampoo is a great option for those who want to improve the health and softness of their hair while working against the possibility of genetic hair loss. This product helps to inhibit the production of DHT, the hormone most closely linked with pattern baldness. You could also consider a shampoo geared toward scalp health to help keep your roots strong while also keeping your locks soft and shiny.
Sport that bright purple hairdo but do it in a healthy way!