The Tamesis
For some people, dying their hair is as integral to their sense of self as regular exercise or a layer of lipstick. However, according to experts, you should dye your hair a certain number of times a year before you start risking scalp, hairline, and even skin problems.
What are the effects of dyeing your hair frequently?
Dermatologist Dr. Zhao Ming Zhao breaks down how often to try and stick with it, and which hair colors may be more damaging.
Scalp and hair damage
“Most people are not aware of the risks that hair dyeing poses to hair length and overall hair health, or they tend to underestimate these risks,” Zhao said. “Hair dyeing products contain many harsh chemicals, such as ammonia, ethanolamine, hydrogen peroxide and p-phenylenediamine, which are necessary to open the hair cuticle and change color.”
She explains that these substances can make the hair cuticle drier and more brittle, increasing the risk of breakage and damage. “In addition, chemical processes can weaken the hair structure, compromising its strength and elasticity. For the scalp in particular, chemicals can remove natural sebum, leaving it dry and inflamed, causing flaking and making it vulnerable to external factors.”
allergy
Zhao Ming said that hair damage is just the tip of the iceberg. “Absorption of ingredients such as paraphenylenediamine (also known as PPD) and resorcinol through the skin on the scalp can cause allergic reactions such as redness, itching, swelling, and contact dermatitis.”
These chemicals can irritate the eyes, especially on direct contact, causing swelling and tearing. Hair dyes may also be harmful to the respiratory tract. “Ammonia, in particular, has a pungent odor and is highly volatile. Exposure to its vapors, especially in poorly ventilated environments, may irritate mucous membranes.”
Causes permanent damage to lungs
“Over time, irritation of the mucous membranes may develop into permanent respiratory problems such as wheezing, coughing, or even asthma,” Zhao Ming warned. “There is also research suggesting a possible link between the use of hair dyes, especially those containing aromatic amines, and the risk of retinopathy, a disease that damages vision.”
3 ways to reduce the risk of hair dye
Don’t dye more hair than this
Zhaoming says to carefully monitor how often you dye your hair. “My advice is not to dye your hair more than once every three months and no more than four times a year,” she says. “Dyeing your hair as often as possible is the best way to avoid permanent damage.”
Apply a protective barrier to the scalp
To avoid scalp irritation, Zhaoming recommends applying a protective layer to your scalp before dyeing, using an oil like coconut or argan oil. This creates a lipid film that limits the absorption of chemicals, thereby reducing the risk of dehydration and irritation.
Obviously, to prevent irritation and allergic reactions, it’s also important to avoid the dye coming into contact with the skin behind the ears and on the neck or face as much as possible.
Expand your color and chemical treatments
Zhao Ming adds that another useful preventive measure is to avoid dyeing and perming (curling or straightening) at the same time, or doing both at the same time. “Both processes put a lot of stress on the hair, with a perm being more stressful than dying,” she stresses.
“The two processes use different chemicals and can be particularly damaging to the hair if used at the same time.” Her advice is to never dye your hair at the same time as a perm, and to allow enough time for your hair to recover between the two processes.
