Some, particularly permanent hair dyes, alter the structure and makeup of the hair. Many hair dyes can damage both the inner and outer parts of the hair shaft. Both natural and synthetic dyes may weaken hair, but permanent dyes may cause more damage as they penetrate deeper into the hair shaft.
And your hair might feel healthier
While hair dyes and techniques have come a long way since their follicle-frying beginnings, they do still leave some damage. Taking a hiatus from color will help your hair return to its previous state--especially as dyed ends get chopped off.
Unfortunately, hair Color damages your hair. When you dye your hair it lifts the cuticle, altering the hair in a way that will never completely revert back to it's natural virgin state. However, the hair that grows from your scalp will grow out normally so only the hair that has been dyed is affected.
Understand that your regular hair dye and ammonia lightening, which can cause potential damage to the hair, is similar to what happens when you bleach your hair, but the bleach is more structurally damaging to hair follicles.
Once you have processed or color-treated hair, it can never go back to being virgin. That's right, once you've dyed your hair, even just once, you lose your virgin strands forever. Virgin hair is a hair colorist's dream because it's also much easier to color hair that doesn't already have dye on it.
Our best overall pick is Biolage Haircolor, a henna dye that's free from harmful chemicals including ammonia and PPD. We also love Madison Reed Radiant Hair Color Kit, which is free of ammonia, parabens, resorcinol, PDD, phthalates, and gluten, plus the added benefit of being packed with hydrating ingredients.
The reality is, the more often you color your hair, the greater the potential for hair shedding. Hair dye does not stop or even slow down hair growth, but it can cause hair loss by damaging the color-treated hair.
Another thing to consider is the cost. In most salons, single-process color is cheaper than highlights. Additionally, single-color tends to be gentler on your hair than highlights. The bleach used in highlight formulas can cause damage, particularly if you have them done often, or use other chemical hair treatments.
After all, highly porous hair easily loses its moisture, resulting in dryness, frizz, dullness, brittleness, and quicker color-fading. That's why hair experts always caution against over-dyeing. So then, how often can you dye your hair? The general rule of thumb is once every 4-8 weeks, give or take.
The main reason some hairdressers hate box dyes is because particular formulas might be too harsh for your hair, but also because the application of hair colour by anyone other than a professional has its own issues.
In some cases, the only way to fix damaged hair is to give it time, about 6 weeks after bleaching to see if your hair starts to recover. In most cases, damaged hair will grow back healthy.
There's no hard-and-fast rule about when (or if!) you should stop coloring your hair and go gray; it's ultimately a personal choice.
If your once lustrous mane has gone from it's original honey gold to highlighted ash blonde to full-on platinum over your years in the styling chair, it may be time to give up the ghost. "When you've gone lighter and lighter to camouflage your silver roots, so that you're almost white, that's a sign," says Nitz.
Both natural and synthetic dyes may weaken hair, but permanent dyes may cause more damage as they penetrate deeper into the hair shaft.
If you want a complete change, all-over color is the way to go, especially if you're very unhappy with your base color. This is also the best option if you have a lot of gray hair that you want to cover up. You don't get this kind of coverage with highlights. If you have a funky haircut, this may also be the way to go.
We suggest opting for an all-over color service to fully mask every gray hair on your head with a uniform shade. However, highlighting may be better if your goal is seamlessly blending your grays.
Hair is stressed by dyeing because it loses natural oils, lipids, and nutrients, causing it to weaken and break.
One of the most well-known is that women often notice that their hair feels thicker after hair colouring, especially those with fine hair. In reality, the hair colouring process does not make hair fibers physically thicker but it can make hair fibers rougher, which can create the appearance and feel of thicker hair.
Guéguen cites previous research which found over 80 percent of those surveyed express a dislike for people with red hair.
Box Hair Dye Can Have Damaging Ingredients
Many box dyes contain harsh ingredients such as ammonia, peroxide, and PPD that can cause severe reactions for those with sensitive skin or existing allergies. Over time, these substances can also weaken your hair follicles and inhibit healthy hair growth.
What are the most difficult hair colors to maintain? Red hair is notoriously difficult when it comes to upkeep. While it's the hardest color to fully strip from your hair, it's also the first to fade, often lightening drastically within the first few washes.
First, there are obvious risks. Using a sharp razor means that you could cut yourself. Then there's the regrowth stage: Shaved hair grows back after a couple of days, and when it does it can be prickly or itchy. This can leave you feeling uncomfortable.