When it comes to changing your overall look for the better, colouring your hair is one of the most popular ways to do so. Many people tend to colour their hair for fashion or to cover up white strands of hair. However, both men and women experience hair damage after colouring. This brings us to the common question of whether colouring your hair affects your health, or if there is a way to go around it. Let’s explore more about hair dye and the potential damage below!
Does Hair Colouring Damage Hair?
So, the main question everyone is curious about: Does dying damage hair? The answer is yes, it does. Your hair can get damaged if you dye it often or use an incorrect method. Hair dye will alter the pigment of your hair’s natural cuticle with the help of chemicals such as peroxide or ammonia. Thus, your new hair colour can penetrate easily, which then causes your hair cuticle to be weak. It will also remove moisture from your hair.
Common Causes of Hair Damage After Colouring
There are several common reasons why your hair gets damaged after colouring. Some of them are:
1. Your Hair is Overprocessed
When hair goes through repeated colouring, bleaching, or strong chemical treatments, the strands lose their natural strength. Overprocessing often strips away moisture and protein, leaving the hair fragile and more prone to breakage. This is one of the most common reasons coloured hair becomes weak and dull.
2. No Aftercare
Coloured hair needs consistent aftercare to maintain moisture and prevent further damage. Without hydrating masks, color safe conditioners, or leave in treatments, the hair slowly becomes brittle. Proper aftercare helps lock in moisture, smooth the cuticles, and protect the hair from everyday stress.
3. High Heat Styling Tools
Using curling irons, straighteners, or blow dryers too frequently adds extra stress to already processed hair. High temperatures remove moisture from the hair shaft, making it even drier and more likely to break. Reducing heat or using heat protectant products helps minimise the damage.
4. Brushing Too Hard
Rough brushing pulls on delicate strands and causes unnecessary breakage. Colour treated hair is more vulnerable, so tugging through knots can easily snap the ends. Gentle detangling with a wide tooth comb or starting from the bottom up can help keep hair healthier.
Signs of Hair Breakage and Dryness
Not sure how to spot signs of hair breakage or dryness? Don’t worry, there are several common, obvious signs such as:
1. Dry and Frizzy Hair
When the hair feels rough, dull, and looks puffier than usual, it often indicates a lack of moisture. Colouring lifts the cuticles, allowing hydration to escape more easily. Persistent dryness is an early sign that the hair needs nourishment.
2. Split Ends
If you notice the ends of your hair splitting into two or more parts, it means the cuticle is damaged. Split ends travel upward over time and make the hair look unhealthy. Regular trims and hydrating treatments help slow down this process.
3. Tangled Hair
Hair that constantly sticks together or forms knots is usually a sign of dryness and cuticle damage. When the cuticle lifts, the strands catch onto each other more easily. This can lead to increased breakage if not handled carefully.
4. Hair Fall or Hair Loss
When you see more hair falling out during brushing or showering, it may indicate severe damage. Coloured or weakened hair breaks off more quickly when it loses strength. Addressing moisture, scalp care, and overall hair health can help reduce this problem.
How to Repair Colour-Damaged Hair
Thankfully, there are a few ways to repair your colour-damaged hair. Consider following these tips to bring your hair back to life:
1. Deep Conditioning Treatments
Deep conditioning treatments help to repair hair breakage after dye by replenishing lost moisture and repairing the hair cuticle damage. You may use it once a week so that you can strengthen your hair cuticles. Engaging with professional hair treatments every now and then can also help restore your hair’s natural state to achieve smooth hair.
2. Hair Masks and Oils
Using hair masks and oils such as coconut, argan, or jojoba will help to make your damaged hair smoother and softer. Besides improving your hair texture, it can also help to add some shine and smooth flyaways. However, remember to apply to your hair strands, not the roots, to avoid any greasiness.
3. Regular Trims
You should get trims every six to eight weeks to remove any split ends. This can prevent further damage and ensure your hair remains healthy, even if you regularly colour it.
Preventive Steps Before and After Hair Colouring
Still want to colour your hair? No worries, you can take several precautions to reduce the chance of hair damage before and after colouring, such as:
- Ensure that you receive professional consultation from the hairdresser to know whether your hair is healthy enough to use dye. This is especially important if you’ve bleached your hair before.
- Avoid using any form of heat styling tool after the hair treatment. If you do need to use them, use a heat protectant spray.
- Try to avoid washing your hair too frequently. The best frequency is 2 to 3 times a week.
Recommended Hair Care Routine For Coloured Hair
Once you’ve coloured your hair, you’ll need to follow a different hair care routine to prevent damage. Below is a simple hair care routine that you can follow:
- Use a mild and colour-safe shampoo free from sulfates.
- Use cool water instead of warm water to wash your hair, as it can strip the natural oils of your hair.
- Apply a hydrating conditioner after shampooing to ensure your hair is moisturized.
- Use leave-in conditioner, serums or oils for UV protection and boost moisture.
Conclusion
Although hair dye can damage hair, as long as you know the proper aftercare and take the necessary precautions, you’ll minimize the damage! If your hair seems to be dry even after performing aftercare, you should consider getting a professional hair treatment to rejuvenate your hair.
Explore our hair salons in Johor Bahru and hair salons in Melaka for the best hair colouring services and treatment tailored for your hair today!
