Yes, hair dye can damage your hair. When dyeing hair, you are altering its structure, which can make it more fragile and prone to breakage. The extent of the damage depends on various factors, such as the type of dye used, the condition of your hair, and how often you dye it.
In this blog, we’ll break down how hair dyeing affects your hair and provide tips to help protect your locks, ensuring you can achieve your dream hair colour while keeping your hair healthy.
What Happens to Hair When You Dye It?
Hair consists of two main parts: the cuticle, the outer layer that protects the hair shaft, and the cortex, which contains your hair's natural pigments and keratin proteins. When you use hair dye, especially permanent dyes, chemicals such as ammonia and hydrogen peroxide are used to open the hair cuticle and alter the cortex. This process strips your hair of its natural colour and replaces it with artificial pigments, which can weaken the hair.
Repeated colouring can cause damage to the cuticle, therefore exposing the inner layers of the hair to more breakability. Although some people might not see notable damage following one colour session, regular exposure can cause dryness, brittleness, and even hair thinning over time.
Hair Dye Types: Which Is Safest?
There are various hair dye types on the market, and the level of damage they cause depends on the type of dye you choose.
Permanent Hair Dye
Deep into the hair shaft, this kind of dye colours everything till the hair grows out. Although it provides long-lasting effects, the strong chemicals required to remove and replace the natural pigments of the hair make it most harmful.
Semi-Permanent Hair Dye
These dyes are less harsh and don’t penetrate as deeply into the hair. They fade after about 8-12 washes, making them a better choice for those who want less damage but are willing to refresh their colour frequently.
Temporary Hair Dye
This type coats the hair's outer layer without penetrating the cortex, making it the least damaging. However, it washes out after just one or two shampoos.
Natural Hair Dye
Since they lack ammonia or peroxide, plant-based alternatives like henna or indigo are seen as less harmful. Still, they can cause hair to dry out if used too much and occasionally give it a gritty sensation.
Best Colour for Hair Dye
Your natural hair colour and texture should be taken into account while selecting the best colour for hair dye. Often requiring considerable bleaching, going more than two to three shades lighter than your natural colour might inflict the most damage. If you worry about the condition of your hair, choose deeper tones or keep near to your natural colour to reduce the risk.
By keeping the roots undisturbed, balayage and ombre techniques—where colour is applied only to the ends or mid-lengths of the hair—may also help to minimise damage.
Can Hair Dye Cause Hair Loss?
Many people believe that using hair dye causes hair loss. Although dying your hair could result in dryness and breakage, it usually causes no permanent hair loss. Though this is not the same as losing hair from the root, hair dye can damage the hair shaft and increase its fragility.
On the other hand, abuse of hair dye or incorrect application might irritate the scalp and cause allergic responses or inflammation, thereby possibly causing temporary hair thinning. Using nourishing treatments and spacing out your dye sessions will help reduce the risk of damage if thinning or brittle hair worries you.
Can Hair Dye Cause Grey Hair?
There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that hair dye can cause grey hair. Grey hair occurs when the pigment-producing cells in your hair follicles stop producing melanin. This process is largely genetic or age-related and is not triggered by hair dye.
Having said that, often dying hair can make it more brittle and dry, which would make grey hair more obvious. Treating your dyed hair gently can help it to remain vivid and healthy.
How to Repair Damaged Hair from Dyeing
Even with the most careful application, hair dyeing can leave your hair feeling dry and damaged. Luckily, there are several ways to help restore your hair’s health:
Use a Hair Dye Shampoo
Invest in a hair dye shampoo that is specially formulated for coloured hair, such as the Kevin Murphy Hydrate Me Wash. These shampoos contain gentle ingredients that help preserve your colour while adding moisture back into your hair.
Deep Condition Regularly
Colour-treated hair requires extra hydration. Use a conditioner after every wash, such as the Kevin Murphy Hydrate Me Rinse, which is a special conditioner for dyed hair. Also, apply a deep conditioning treatment at least once a week to replenish lost moisture and repair the cuticle layer. You can even get the best deep conditioning treatment at Vogue Nationale.
Limit Heat Styling
Heat styling equipment can aggravate the damage done by hair dye. Before blow-drying, straightening, or curling, air-dry your hair or apply heat-protective sprays whenever possible.
Use Oils and Serums
For dry, colour-treated hair, hair oils or serums can assist to nourish and smooth. Look for products with ingredients like coconut or argan oil to help bring back gloss and lower frizz. You can use Kevin Murphy Young Again oil for keeping your treated hair nourished, and it also offers heat protection. If you're looking for a product that does wonders on dyed hair, you must try Elixir Ultime L'huile Original for extra shine.
Trim Your Hair Regularly
Regular trimming of split ends helps your hair remain looking its finest. This will stop more breaking and give your hair a healthy, modern look.
Conclusion
Although hair dye can weaken and damage your hair, using the correct products and caring for your hair will help to minimise any negative effects. Having your hair coloured by experts who can evaluate your hair type and provide the most appropriate procedure always helps to guarantee the best result.
At Vogue Nationale, our expert team will ensure that your hair remains healthy, vibrant, and damage-free, even after your colour treatment. Visit our salon for high-quality hair dye services, and explore our range of nourishing treatments to keep your hair looking its best.
Book an appointment with us today to enjoy luxurious results and silky, soft hair after every dye!
