It's time to uncover the hidden dangers lurking in that bottle of dye and the damage it can do to your hair. We all love the idea of a fresh new hair colour, but have you thought about the damage it can cause? From chemical harm to extreme dryness and frizz, the risks are real. In this eye-opening article, we'll delve into the five ways hair colour can damage your hair and reveal how to minimise that damage. However, you can still enjoy vibrant and healthy hair by following the right advice and using high-quality products. So, let's learn how to prevent hair colour damage and keep your tresses soft and smooth.
Chemical Damage: The Harmful Effects of Hair Colour
While it's true that new hair colour can be exciting and transformative, it's important to be aware of the possible risks.
When it comes to hair colour, the chemicals present in the dye can be quite harsh. Ammonia and hydrogen peroxide, for example, are commonly used to open up the hair cuticle and allow the colour to penetrate. While this process is necessary for achieving the desired shade, it can also compromise the hair's integrity by breaking down its natural protective layer.
Other chemicals commonly used in hair dyes include PPD (para-phenylenediamine), parabens, resorcinol, formaldehyde, silicones, phthalates, alcohol, synthetic fragrances and more. While each of these chemicals has its own side effects, the hair damage caused by them is undeniable.
The chemical damage caused by hair colour can manifest in various ways. Over time, repeated use can lead to hair becoming brittle and dry because harsh chemicals can strip away the hair's natural oils. This, in turn, can lead to a frizzy and dull appearance, aggravating split ends, tangles and flyaways and making it difficult to maintain the vibrancy and shine of your coloured hair.
Furthermore, those with sensitive scalps may experience irritation when exposed to these chemicals. Itching, redness and even flaking are common side effects that can make the hair colouring process uncomfortable.
Hair Thinning: How Hair Colour Makes Your Hair Less Voluminous
As harmful as hair dye can be, it cannot reach the follicles from which hair grows, meaning it cannot directly cause hair loss or hinder your hair from growing in any way. While this may be true, hair dye can however cause and worsen hair breakage, resulting in thinning and, ultimately, a loss in volume.
As explained above, the harsh chemicals involved in the hair-dyeing process damage the hair. The chemicals alter the lipids and proteins in hair strands, which are crucial to the health of hair, completely altering their structure. These alterations are necessary for the hair colour to catch and last for a long time, but this is the very cause of hair becoming weaker and susceptible to breakage. As a result, more frequent breakage of the strands leads to hair thinning and loss.
To combat hair breakage and thinning caused by hair colour and prevent hair damage, it's essential to take proactive steps to nourish your locks. One approach is to opt for ammonia-free or low-ammonia dyes, which are generally gentler on the hair and scalp.
Additionally, consider colouring your hair with products that contain nourishing ingredients, such as botanical extracts or oils, to help mitigate the potential harm. These natural additives can nourish your hair, helping to counteract some of the negative effects of the dye.
Flyaways and Split Ends: Another Side Effect of Breakage
Another significant issue that arises with coloured hair is flyaways and split ends. The very process of colouring your hair can weaken the strands, making them more prone to breakage, eventually leading to flyaways and split ends.
The chemicals in hair dyes, especially when used repeatedly, can strip the hair of its natural oils and proteins, leaving it brittle and fragile. Additionally, dyeing hair often involves heat from styling tools, which can further damage the hair structure. These combined factors create an environment where flyaways and split ends become all too common.
When hair strands become weak and damaged, they are prone to splitting at the ends, resulting in a frayed and unhealthy appearance. Split ends can prevent your hair from growing and give it a lifeless, dull appearance. Split ends can continue up the hair shaft if not treated, resulting in further breakage and the need for more frequent trims to keep healthy strands.
To combat breakage and split ends caused by hair colour, adopting a proactive approach to hair care is essential. Regular trims are necessary for split ends to be eliminated and not develop higher up the hair shaft. Additionally, incorporating strengthening and repairing products into your coloured hair treatment can help fortify the strands and reduce breakage.
Dullness and Fading: Why Hair Colour Loses Its Vibrancy
Over time, hair colour can lose its vibrancy and appear dull and faded. This can be disappointing, especially after investing time and money into achieving the perfect shade.
One common reason for dulled colour-treated hair is exposure to the sun's harmful rays. Just like the sun can fade furniture or paint, it can also have a similar effect on hair colour. The pigment molecules in the hair are broken down by UV light, which results in a fading and dulling of the colour.
Another culprit behind faded hair colour is regular washing. Shampoos, particularly those with harsh sulfates, can strip away the hair's natural oils and colour molecules, leading to dullness. Furthermore, hot water can open the hair cuticles, allowing the colour to escape.
Heat styling tools can also contribute to losing vibrancy in hair colour. The high temperatures can weaken the hair shaft, making it more susceptible to hair damage, breakage and fading. Additionally, heat styling can cause the colour molecules to evaporate, leaving your hair looking lacklustre.
Chemical processes, such as perming and relaxing, can also impact the vibrancy of hair colour. These treatments can chemically alter the hair's structure, making it more porous and prone to colour fading. It's essential to consider the consequences before undergoing harsh chemical processes to maintain your hair colour’s vibrancy.
Scalp Irritation: An Unpleasant Side Effect of Hair Colour
One of hair colour’s most common and uncomfortable side effects is scalp irritation. Many hair colour products contain chemicals that can be harsh on the scalp, leading to redness, itching and even flaking. These symptoms can be worse for those with sensitive scalps and people with allergies to any of these ingredients.
Another reason for scalp irritation is the loss of hair’s natural oils. Chemicals used in hair colour might damage your scalp's lipid layer and deplete its oils. This can lead to an itchy scalp by leaving your scalp open to bacteria and pollutants.
Those who suffer from dandruff or scalp issues may experience heightened symptoms. While hair dye may not directly cause these problems, it can worsen them.
Regular coloured hair treatments are a further contributor that irritates the scalp. Continuously subjecting your scalp to chemicals can increase the likelihood of irritation. Consider extending the time between colour touch-ups to allow your scalp to recover. Embracing styles that require fewer touch-ups, such as balayage or ombre, can also help decrease the frequency of chemical exposure to the scalp.
The Best Treatment for Colour-Damaged Hair
Maintaining the brilliance and finest possible appearance of your coloured hair and safeguarding its health requires correct and consistent care. By following the proper coloured hair care regimen, you can guarantee that your coloured hair will stay vibrant and that it will be strengthened and protected over time. Here are some care recommendations for freshly coloured hair.
With its exclusive line of products in the Complete Colour Lock System, which is meant to take care of coloured hair, iluvia's scientifically proven approach has elevated hair care to a whole new level and prevents hair colour damage.
This professional haircare system is perfect for highlighted, bleached, coloured or pigmented hair. Salons highly recommend this system because it reduces pigment bleed and fights UV damage, which over time ages hair colour and shortens its life. It comes with three essential products: the Colour Lock Shampoo, Colour Lock Mask and Hair Protection Serum.
Use the mild, sulfate-free shampoo – the Colour Lock Shampoo – to protect your hair’s integrity and colour. The pH-balanced formula's micro-emulsion technology cleanses the hair, preventing frizz, breakage and dryness. This shampoo is exceptional because it can seal in colour and prevent fading, stopping colour bleed and deterioration.
With a focus on frizz control and colour stability, the Colour Lock Mask is ideal for hair that has been lightened or bleached as well as porous, damaged or impaired structurally. With deep conditioning, this treatment lessens colour bleeding and eliminates oxidative degradation of hair colour.
The Hair Protection Serum is another necessary product for preserving colour-rich hair. Hair colour fading and damage can result from using heat styling equipment on your hair. To reduce the damage and maintain the health of your hair, apply the serum before styling your hair. Enhanced with Baobab, Olive Squalene and Argan oils, it fortifies hair and gives it a shine and manageability.
By implementing a proper hair care routine, you can prevent hair colour damage and still enjoy the transformational power of hair colour. So, whether you're a seasoned colour enthusiast or contemplating a hair colour change, take the necessary steps to protect and nourish your tresses.
Visit iluviapro.com to begin your path to colour-treated hair that is healthier and more vibrant.