People dye their hair for all sorts of reasons – dislike of one’s natural hair color, covering up gray, accentuating natural hair color with highlights and/or lowlights, or fashion. But the dyeing process can be rough on hair health. Worse, some hair experts suggest using more hair dye as soon as roots begin to show, but is it really good advice?
When hair loss and hair fall are a concern, choosing whether to dye at all is a big question. Since some people complain about their hair falling out after dyeing black, it could be that such constant dyeing hurts more than it helps.
Does Hair Dye Cause Hair Loss?
Hair dye and hair loss seem to go hand-in-hand like a burger and fries – they seem to go together even though they aren’t necessarily causally related. Simple version: you might see more loose hairs after dyeing your hair, but it is probably not all the dye’s fault.
Dermatology Times puts it this way, “Hair dyeing does not inhibit hair growth, but it may cause hair loss by damaging the hair that is color treated. Hair beneath the scalp that has not yet emerged cannot be reached by hair dye and thus hair dye cannot fundamentally cause hair loss, but hair shedding can increase with hair dyeing.”
Dyeing your hair, can cause it to dry out and become brittle or break, causing you to see more hair shedding. Depending on the color you are dyeing your hair, it may also make the hair loss more visible – one thin strand of gray or white hair is less noticeable that one black one.
Hair fall, the shedding of hair that we sometime refer to as hair loss, is a natural part of the life cycle of hair and generally nothing to be worried about. It is only when it becomes excessive that you should be concerned.
Will Hair Loss from Hair Dye Grow Back?
Yes, because you are not actually damaging the hair follicle – the part of your hair where growth takes place – just the part that has already grown. So even when you damage your hair with dye, the hair is still likely to grow and go on through its normal cycle. The look, feel, and texture of your hair may be damaged by dyeing, but the hair follicle is not.
However, you can lessen the impact of dyeing on your hair health and your perception of hair loss. MedicineNet suggests limiting the dyeing of your hair to once every six weeks to help prevent hair fall… and keeping your hair otherwise healthy. Other suggestions include washing your hair with cold water after dyeing it, limiting how often you wash, and even getting it trimmed regularly to get rid of split ends. Of course, moisturizing your hair and eating a good diet are also important.
But what if something goes very wrong while you are dyeing your hair? If you burn your scalp or hair by over-processing, using the wrong chemicals, or leaving the chemicals on too long, you may still be able to have a healthy head of hair.
Will Hair Grow Back After Hair Dye Burn?
Getting a hair dye burn might seem unlikely, especially if you have been using dye for years. But the fact of the matter is that any new dye (or change in formulation) can increase the chances you get burned.
A hair dye burn often starts small. “You may notice a tingling, itching or burning sensation when you dye or bleach your hair. These are mild symptoms of a chemical irritation that, if prolonged, may progress into a chemical burn that has the potential to damage the hair, hair follicles and the skin,” according to Burn and Reconstruction Centers of America.
The key to avoiding a hair dye burn is to recognize when the sensation becomes intense or painful and then stop the dyeing process immediately. If you do receive a hair dye burn, the key to growing your hair back afterward is going to be minimizing the damage to the scalp and the hair follicles.
If you receive a hair dye burn that is mild – like a mild sunburn – your skin is less likely to be damaged as are the hair follicles. So long as the follicles remain undamaged, any hair loss due to the dyeing incident should grow back.
To Dye or Not? Ask the Experts at Precision Hair Restoration
When hair loss is a concern, anything that increases hair fall – through breakage and damage or changing the hair growth cycle – is potentially worrisome. But thankfully, you do not have to make the decision alone. Our doctors and professional staff at Precision Hair Restoration can help you decide what is best for you.
Have questions? We understand. Contact us today to discuss your hair loss concerns.
