You love your new hair colour, but you’ve noticed a few more strands in the brush than usual. It’s a common worry that crosses many minds. Is your quest for a new look secretly sabotaging your hair’s health and leading to hair fall? The relationship between hair colour and hair loss is a bit more nuanced than a simple yes or no.
Let’s clear up a fundamental point first. The process of colouring hair primarily affects the hair shaft—the part you see. True hair loss, known as telogen effluvium, happens at the follicle level beneath the scalp. While colouring doesn’t typically attack the follicle directly, the way you colour and the health of your hair can create a situation where breakage and thinning become a real concern.
The Real Culprit: Damage and Breakage
So, if colour doesn’t cause true hair loss from the root, why does hair seem thinner? The answer often lies in damage and breakage. Chemical processes, especially those involving bleach or high-volume developers, can severely weaken the hair protein, keratin. This makes hair brittle, fragile, and prone to snapping off close to the scalp, which can mimic the appearance of hair fall. The more processed your hair is, the higher the risk of this type of damage.
How to Colour Your Hair Safely
You don’t have to give up your colour dreams. The key is to be gentle and strategic. Opting for ammonia-free formulas or demi-permanent colours can be a gentler alternative to harsh permanent dyes. It’s also wise to extend the time between your colouring sessions to give your hair a chance to recover. Always, without fail, do a patch test 48 hours before colouring to check for any allergic reactions that could cause inflammation or more severe scalp issues.
Caring for Your Coloured Hair
What you do after colouring is just as important. Invest in a good colour-protectant shampoo and a deep conditioning mask to restore moisture and strength. Be extra gentle when your hair is wet, as it’s at its most vulnerable. Use a wide-tooth comb to detangle, and minimize the use of high-heat styling tools. Incorporating a weekly hair oil treatment can also help nourish the scalp and strengthen the hair shaft from root to tip.
In most cases, hair colour itself is not the direct cause of hair falling out from the root. The main concern is the cumulative damage that leads to breakage. By choosing gentler products, spacing out your appointments, and committing to a nourishing hair care routine, you can enjoy beautiful colour while keeping your hair healthy, strong, and firmly on your head.