This is a common question we get from patients who enjoy coloring their hair regularly. Some individuals notice increased hair loss around their coloring sessions, while others have heard bad things about hair dye and are wondering if the damage could cause hair loss. The answer depends on a variety of factors.
The first factor is the current condition and health of your hair. If you have strong, healthy hair, then coloring your hair a few times a year will most likely not damage it so severely that you experience hair loss. While it is true that hair dyes can be harsh on the hair (even the most expensive kinds), if our hair is healthy in every other way, it is likely resilient enough to withstand some coloring. That being said, hair is like life in that everything is about balance and moderation. Coloring your hair frequently doesn’t allow the hair to regenerate and heal and over time can cause irreversible damage. Try going with a balyage style that requires little maintenance.
The second factor is what kind of hair coloring you are doing. Box hair dyes and bleach jobs are the worst options for your hair’s health. Bleach strips your hairs follicles, and if you have naturally darker hair, this can be extremely damaging. Box dyes are made of cheap ingredients and they sacrifice quality for price and time. If you’re going to color your hair, do it the right way, and spend the money on a professional. Salons are equipped with moisturizing sealants that help minimize the damage to your hair.
Thirdly, if you are prone to hair loss or have been experiencing it recently, lay off the dye until you track down the cause and find a working solution. Sometimes a change in medication or starting a new medicated shampoo is all it takes.
In conclusion, it’s possible that hair coloring may be contributing to your hair loss, but in most cases of healthy-haired individuals, this isn’t a problem. Just make sure you’re taking care of your hair and doing deep conditioning masks and getting trims as often as possible.