Image of brush and dyed hair

Can Hair Dye Cause Hair Loss?

 

Can hair dye cause hair loss, or is it just another myth? Let’s take a look at some of the do’s and don’ts when dyeing your hair. Maybe you’re a first timer, or it’s something you’ve been doing for years. Either way, you’ve probably asked yourself, ‘can hair dye cause hair loss?’ at some point. 

The fact is, adding anything to your hair that includes chemicals has the potential to damage hair, and potentially to exacerbate hair loss to some degree. The good news is, if your hair loss has been due to hair dye, it won’t affect or inhibit new hair growth. The simple answer to, ‘can hair dye cause hair loss?’ is, ‘yes it can.’ However, the loss of hair, if it’s only due to the chemical makeup of the hair dye, will be temporary and will only affect hair on the head when the dye is present. New hair, free from hair dye, should continue to grow as before.

Why Does Hair Dye Cause Hair Loss?

The important thing here is not to be alarmed. If you are used to using hair dye, there is no reason for you to stop. And if you are thinking of trying it for the first time, don’t let this put you off. This is merely an opportunity to take a look at the relationship between hair loss and hair dye, and how to minimise any potential risk. So, how does hair dye cause hair loss? Many permanent, and some semi-permanent hair dye, contains a chemical called PPD (Paraphenylendiamine). This has been known to be an irritant to some users. The texture of the hair may also become altered, leading to the need for heavier combing and rubbing of the scalp. These things combined may damage the hair and cause it to fall out. 

What if I Go to a Salon?

But does hair dye cause hair loss if you have it done professionally? Can hair dye make your hair fall out if you visit a salon rather than do it yourself at home? Put simply, yes it can still happen if you get a professional to do it. It’s not the application method or the hairdresser’s skill that determines this, it’s the makeup of the dye itself. Salon products can be stronger, but semi-permanent hair dye tends to be the safer option as it is ‘deposit only’ and provides a coating to the existing hair. It won’t chemically change the hair shaft and usually contains no ammonia or peroxide. 

The fact of the matter is, losing your hair can be due to so many different factors that it’s often difficult to pinpoint a single reason. Does hair colour cause hair loss? It depends on you, your hair, the type of hair dye, your reaction to it and many other variables. Can hair dye cause hair loss? Yes, absolutely it can, which is why you would be best advised to do some research first, do the patch tests suggested and seek the advice of a professional. These measures will minimise the risk, and hopefully result in you being delighted with the results.

If you find it has become a permanent problem, don’t despair. There are many options available these days, if you are looking to restore your hair to its former glory. Hair transplants, scalp treatments and procedures provide fabulous results, particularly when you visit one of the specialists here at Enhance Hair Restoration. Our surgeons and medical team offer the most up to date procedures, carried out by the very best professionals in the industry. Give us a call to find out more. 

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