Have hair dye horror stories made you believe coloring your hair will cause lasting damage?
Well, there’s a little truth to what you heard and read. The real question is, does frequent dyeing destroy hair?
Yes, dyeing damages your hair. However, most of us are still tempted by the flawless pictures on Instagram. Seeing them brings up the unsolvable inner battle of, “Oh, it looks amazing” and “That for sure will damage my hair.”
Does this mean that you should put out the thought of coloring your hair completely out of your mind?
No.
Before diving into this complex dilemma, let’s look at how hair coloring works.
How Hair Dye Causes Damage
Proteins make up 95% of your hair strands. Think of them as a roof’s shingles that protect your hair from UV rays, heat, and moisture. Applying demi-permanent or permanent hair dye changes the structure of your hair. Dyeing involves a chemical reaction that lifts the proteins so the hair strands can absorb the chemicals. This causes the hair color to change.
The ammonia in the hair dye lifts the cuticles, which gives peroxide room to break down your hair’s natural pigment. With repeated sessions, your hair gets weaker. However, the damage can be fixed by taking a few precautions. Your hair won’t have its virgin strength, but the steps you take after the dye can preserve most of its quality and shine.
Temporary hair dye does not penetrate the deep layers of your skin, which causes less damage. This applies to alternative dye methods such as using coffee, carrot juice, and Kool-Aid. On the other hand, permanent dye strips away your hair’s protective layer and exposes it to damage.
Hair dyes cause side effects including:
- Reduced hair thickness
- Weak hair
- Hair becoming vulnerable to heat styling, which causes excessive breakage
- Rough hair follicles
If you have dyed your hair several times, you might have noticed how thin it has gotten. Keep in mind that not all people experience the same damage. It all depends on how your hair currently is. If it’s already brittle or thin, dyeing will make it weaker. You will have trouble getting your desired shade of dye if you have thick hair. The technician will use more bleach to create an even slate and leave the color longer to lift the proteins. You can imagine how much more damage this will cause.
We are in no way discouraging you from dyeing your hair! Now that you know all the facts, let’s take a look at how to repair the damage:
Repairing Hair Dye Damage
According to a study, conditioning agents like milk protein and hydrolyzed silk repair hair dye damage. So, look for these ingredients when buying hair color or going for hair coloring services in a salon.
Here are a few tips that will help you repair hair dye damage:
- Use purple shampoo for dyed hair (It has hydrolyzed silk protein, which keeps your hair hydrated)
- Use shampoos that contain lipids like fatty alcohols
- Try to stay close to your hair’s natural shade and go for dark dyes instead of light
- When perming hair, follow instructions carefully to prevent long-term damage
- Avoid using a relaxer until you have consulted a hair professional
- Avoid going for multiple treatments such as relaxing, perming, and color
- Choose hair products that match your hair type
- When swimming, wear a cap to protect it from chlorinated water
- Test the hair color first on a small patch of your hair to know if it irritates, and then go for full coverage
And there you have it — a popular hair myth busted about does frequent dyeing destroy hair.
Visit the Student Salon at the Missouri College of Cosmetology. They offer different salon services, including makeup, hair dye, and skincare treatments. For information, dial (888) 887-1501.