Hair Dye vs Hair Loss Ultimate Guide

People have been altering the colour of their hair for thousands of years. [1] However, it was in the early 20th century when synthetic hair dye became a reality and individuals could turn their hair from blonde to red, black to blonde, brown to red, and more. Since then, hair dying has boomed in popularity, with 53% of women colouring their hair at home. [2]

While the idea of easily being able to transform your hair’s appearance at home is exciting, there are some potential downsides. The question is, can hair dye cause hair loss? If you want to learn more about the link between hair dye and hair loss, you are in the right place.

What is Hair Dye?

It’s a popular cosmetic product that changes the colour of your hair. There are different types of hair dye available, including permanent and semi-permanent. The hair dye works thanks to a range of chemicals, with the most common ingredients in hair dye being ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, resorcinol, and sodium laureth sulphate.

Can Hair Dye Cause Hair Loss?

So, does hair dye cause hair loss? The chemicals in hair dye can damage the hair shaft, leading to hair breakage. In turn, this can lead to hair loss. So, yes, there is a link between hair dye and hair loss, even if that link is not always direct and the hair loss is due to breakage rather than anything permanent.

The good news is that hair dyes typically do not penetrate the scalp and damage the hair follicles, which is what would lead to a more permanent hair loss. However, there are some cases in which those who have bleached their hair too many times over the years experience permanent thinning, so that’s something to keep in mind if you have a lot of bleached or bright colour treated hair.

There is also the possibility of allergic reactions to hair dye causing hair loss. If you are allergic to hair dye, the allergic reactions can damage the hair follicles and cause your hair to shed. That’s one of the reasons it’s so important to test hair dye on a patch of your skin before using it.

How to Minimise Damage from Hair Dye

When dying your hair, your goal is to achieve your desired colour without it leading to dry strands or breakage. Here are some ways to manage that.

Get it Done Professionally

The best way to minimise the damage the hair dye does, is to ditch the box dye and head to a stylist. A qualified hairdresser will be able to mix the dye specifically for you and use it in a way that doesn’t cause excess damage. On top of that, a good hairdresser will not apply hair dye when they know it will cause damage, and they have an eye for such things.

Choose Semi Permanent Dye

If you are afraid of damaging your hair, choose semi permanent hair dye instead of permanent hair colour. Semi permanent dye is less damaging compared to permanent hair dyes, as permanent hair colour products has more damaging chemicals in the ingredients that result in long-lasting results.

Always Perform a Patch Test

As mentioned, an allergic reaction can cause hair loss due to hair dye. Plus, it can lead to other symptoms; in some cases, emergency medical attention may be needed. As such, always perform a patch test before using a hair dye. This should be performed even if you have used the hair dye before.

Leave Longer Gaps Between Dying Sessions

Dying your hair too much can lead to damage and breakage, which, in turn, slows any hair growth. To avoid this, leave longer gaps between dying sessions. As a general rule, never dye your hair more than once within a two-week period. You should also wait at least four to six weeks between each dying session to avoid overprocessed hair.

Follow Instructions to a Tee

When using a hair dye at home, always follow the instructions to a tee. If it says leave the hair dye on for twenty minutes, don’t leave it on for thirty minutes thinking it will lead to a better result – it won’t, and you will only cause more damage. The instructions are there for a reason!

Use Deep Conditioning Treatments

 

Even if hair dye doesn’t cause a lot of damage (or hair loss), your hair will still require some nourishment following the dye. To keep your strands feeling lusciously soft, use a deep conditioner after the treatment. Having a hair care routine that uses hair masks and hair oils can also help keep your hair shiny and healthy.

Rock Your Natural Hair

The only way to 100% avoid hair damage from hair dye is to avoid the stuff altogether, instead opting to rock your natural hair! Most people suit their natural hair colour, so it’s worth giving it a go. At the very least, you could give your hair a rest for a while and let your natural hair grow through a little before dying it again.

Hair Dye: Typically Not the Cause of Permanent Hair Loss

While the answer to, “Can hair dye cause hair loss?” is yes, it’s highly unlikely that hair dye will cause permanent hair loss unless you have an allergic reaction. Any hair loss caused by hair dye will be due to breakage, which is easily avoided by practising good hair care habits and choosing quality hair dye products, and following the instructions carefully. There is a reason many people can still enjoy thick, luscious hair after dying it! If you want to see whether hair dye is causing your hair to fall out, it’s worth investing in a hair track app.

What Else Causes Hair Loss?

There are many other potential causes of hair loss – some of which may require a hair loss treatment.

Androgenetic Alopecia: Androgenetic alopecia is a common type of hair loss that affects both men and women but is more common in men. It’s also known as male or female pattern baldness and is due to genetics and the general ageing process.

Hormonal Changes: Another common cause of hair loss is hormonal changes. Many things can mess with your hormones, including medications and menopause. When a drop in estrogen or progesterone occurs, the result can be excessive hair shedding.

Deficiencies: Certain nutritional deficiencies can lead to hair loss. For example, people who are low in iron or vitamin D may notice their hair is thinning. It’s best to get your bloodwork done at the doctor’s to see if this is the cause of your hair loss.

Traction Alopecia: Traction alopecia is caused by too-tight hairstyles. People who consistently wear braids or tight ponytails are more at risk of traction alopecia than others. Unfortunately, traction alopecia can cause more permanent hair loss.

Medical Conditions: Certain medical conditions lead to the symptoms of hair loss. One example is thyroid disease, which typically results in hair loss due to the hormonal changes.

Stress: Did you know that stress can cause hair loss? It’s true. This is called telogen effluvium and can be caused by a stressful period in your life. It results in sudden hair loss but is not permanent, so it should grow back before too long.

So, if you find yourself wondering: will hair dye cause hair loss? Keep in mind that there are many potential causes of hair loss, and hair dye is not likely to be the cause. Hair dye may cause breakage when used improperly, but it’s very rare for it to lead to hair shedding.

What to Do if You Experience Hair Loss

If your hair is falling out, the first thing you need to do is learn the cause. The chances are it won’t be hair dye – instead, it’s likely one of the other causes listed above. If you are unsure what is causing your hair loss, speak to a doctor or dermatologist.

Once you understand the cause of your hair loss, you can think about the best way to treat it. For something like a nutritional deficiency, that will be a case of taking a vitamin or changing your diet. In the case of androgenetic alopecia, people experience positive results from hair loss medications and a hair transplant. The latter is best if you have significant hair loss and other solutions have not worked.

Hair Dye vs Hair Loss: In Summary

Hopefully, we have answered the question, “Can hair dye cause hair loss?” clearly enough. While hair dye can lead to damage and eventually breakage, it won’t lead to permanent hair loss in most cases. Plus, there are many things you can do to prevent excessive damage caused by hair dye, such as getting it done professionally, maintaining a good hair care routine, choosing a high-quality hair dye, and following instructions to a tee.

Have you experienced hair loss, and hair dye is not the cause? Hair loss is extremely common, but the good news is it’s more than treatable. If you are interested in a permanent hair restoration solution, you are in the right place. Get in touch with the Harley Street Hair Transplant clinic today, or check out our patients gallery.

Sources:

1. https://www.byrdie.com/hair-color-history
2. https://www.mintel.com/press-centre/brits-prefer-blondes-blonde-is-the-nations-number-one-dyed-hair-colour-of-choice/#:~:text=While%20DIY%20colouring%20may%20have,half%20(53%25)%20of%20women.