As we go through life and get older, many things about our bodies begin to change.
For many men, this includes thinning hair and balding. Hair loss is extremely common, impacting around half of all men in their 40s and beyond [1]. It also impacts women, but on a smaller scale.
While hair loss is natural and completely out of many people's control, there are certain lifestyle habits or behaviours that could impact your hair health, and you could be sabotaging your hair without even realising it.
One thing that is often discussed is hair dye, whether it damages your hair, and how it impacts your scalp and overall hair health. Let's find out.
How does hair dye work?
First things first, it's important to understand what hair dye actually is and how it works.
People have been doing it in different forms for thousands of years — and it is thought to date back as far as ancient Egypt [2].
The practice of hair dyeing and the ingredients have changed over the years, but it essentially involves treating hair with either natural ingredients or chemical compounds to change the colour.
Your hair colour is determined by the melanin in your hair shaft cortex, and it can be changed by either removing melanin via bleaching the hair or by adding a different artificial pigment via hair dye [3].
Hair dye products are classified as oxidative or non-oxidative and can be either temporary, semi-permanent, or permanent [4].
Permanent hair colour is oxidative, while temporary and semi-permanent are non-oxidative.
Temporary hair dyes attach to the hair shaft cuticle but don't penetrate it, and the colour remains on the surface, which is why it can be washed out relatively easily [3].
On the other hand, permanent hair dye works by deeply penetrating the hair shaft, passing through the hair cuticle to be deposited into the cortex and infusing the hair dye along with your natural colour.
The colour from permanent dyes doesn't wash out, and will only change or appear to fade as new hair strands grow.
Semi-permanent hair dyes, as you might be able to guess, are in between the two. They coat the cuticle and partially infiltrate the cortex, meaning they don't chemically change your pigment, but the colour lasts longer than the temporary options.
What ingredients are in hair dye?
The chemical ingredients in hair dyes vary a little from brand to brand and can depend on whether it is a dark or light colour, but there are some that will pop up in most formulas.
In oxidative, or permanent dyes, aromatic amines such as p-phenylenediamine and p-aminophenols are the main compounds, and they work alongside 'couplers' such as m-aminophenols and m-hydroxyphenols, and hydrogen peroxide [5].
In non-oxidative dyes, coloured compounds are used to stain the hair directly.
Other ingredients you can expect to see in hair dye include ammonia, alcohol, and pigments.
Can hair colour cause your hair to fall out?
While using hair dye is extremely common — approximately 50% of women and 10% of men are believed to use hair dye products [6] — it does come with some risks and side effects.
Chemicals in hair dye can cause contact dermatitis in some people, or a severe allergic reaction in others [7].
And when it comes to hair loss, hair dye can play a part — but it's not quite as simple as it might sound.
Among men, hair loss and male pattern baldness are typically genetic, and happen when testosterone and DHT affect the hair follicles, causing them to shrink and eventually stop producing hair [8].
Hair dye doesn't reach the hair follicles, so it doesn't cause hair loss in this way.
However, it can be connected to hair loss through hair breakage and damaged or weakened hair falling out.
For example, people who have allergic reactions or develop dermatitis after using hair dye might find that their hair growth slows down in the areas affected [9].
This is generally a type of temporary hair loss and can be expected to improve within a few weeks.
Some types of hair colouring products can cause hair damage (bleach, for example), breakage in hair strands, and increased hair shedding [10].
It is possible to have hair fall out after using harsh chemicals like hydrogen peroxide, particularly if you also you heat styling tools.
So while hair dye doesn't technically cause hair loss or male pattern baldness, it can certainly impact your scalp and hair health, and healthy hair is less likely to break or fall out.
Are natural hair dyes a safer option?
As the side effects of hair dye become more well known, some people are seeking out more natural options, organic hair dyes, or ammonia-free dyes.
Natural hair dyes can be purchased or made at home and often include ingredients like plant roots and extracts, plant-based colour, and natural oils.
Natural hair dyes typically contain fewer chemical ingredients and are gentler on both hair and skin, so many people feel more comfortable using them.
However, there hasn't been sufficient research into whether natural hair dyes damage hair and how much they contribute to hair loss.
If you're concerned about chemicals in hair dye, have sensitive skin or have had allergic reactions in the past, you may want to do a patch test before using any hair dyes.
To be on the safe side, if you're new to dyeing hair, we would also recommend visiting a hair salon and having colouring done by a professional stylist rather than doing a DIY job at home.
How often should you use hair dye?
The frequency of your hair dyeing sessions depends on factors including the type of dye, whether you are doing it yourself or in a salon, and your individual hair and personal preferences.
In general, most hair dye brands and hairdressers recommend waiting 6-8 weeks between each time you dye your hair.
If you've used a temporary hair dye, which only lasts for a couple of washes, you can dye more often.
If you are using hair colour products that include bleach or peroxide, it is best to wait longer as this is quite harsh and typically causes the most damage.
How to treat damage from hair colouring
If you're concerned about damaged hair or adverse reactions to hair dye, firstly we would recommend speaking to a hair professional or dermatologist (depending on your issue).
Giving your hair and scalp a break from harsh chemicals is a good start, and deep conditioning treatments can help as well.
There are a couple of other things you can do to support new hair growth and scalp health, and the products and treatments you use can make a serious difference.
Pilot's Hair Growth Shampoo and Conditioner were developed by experts and contain active ingredients designed to minimise hair breakage, target thinning, and help your hair follicles flourish.
This duo's deep cleaning action also helps reduce dandruff and reduce scalp irritation.
The formula includes ingredients such as saw palmetto and ginseng for hair growth, niacinamide for a healthy scalp, zinc to target thinning, biotin for hair strength, and piroctone olamine to target dandruff.
Men who target and begin treating hair loss early have the best chance at maintaining and improving hair growth, so these treatments can help you get a step ahead.
For those hair loss — whether it is from hair dye or other causes — there are a few pathways you could take.
One option is Pilot's hair loss treatment, which offers the most effective clinical solutions to help you both maintain and regrow hair and has helped thousands of men achieve real results.
The personalised treatments can target thinning, receding, or advanced hair loss, so there are different options to suit your personal needs.
Your treatment is organised over the phone through consultation with a medical professional and delivered straight to you, so the whole process is both easy and discreet.
While hair loss and seeking treatment is nothing to be embarrassed about, it is a very personal process.
Hair loss — and our bodies changing — can be difficult to go through, and can seriously impact your confidence and sense of self, but these treatments can make a world of difference.
After all, we all deserve to feel great at every stage of life — regardless of what our hair looks like.
Image credit: John Diez via Pexels
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