Ever had a moment where you wonder how something works, like why the sky is blue? In the world of beauty, coloring your hair is one thing that fascinates many. When you dye your hair too often, it can cause significant damage. To minimize this, it’s essential to maintain your hair’s health.
According to hairstylist Ashley Mitchell and cosmetologist Leah Spearman, how frequently you dye your hair depends on whether you’re using temporary, semi-permanent, demi-permanent, or permanent dyes. For healthier results, a recommended time of 6 to 8 weeks between dye sessions allows for proper hair upkeep. Dyes with harsh chemicals can damage hair if used incorrectly. Consider these factors to keep your hair looking fresh and healthy.
This is what happens to your hair when you dye it
When you dye your hair, a chemical reaction happens. The structure of your hair shaft changes because ammonia makes the cuticle swell. This reveals the cortex where keratin, pigment, and melanin exist. Hydrogen peroxide removes your natural colour and oxidizes the new dye. The mixture replaces the old pigment with your chosen colour. Once the ammonia has evaporated, the cuticle shrinks back to its original form, locking the dye molecules in for a permanent colour.
What happens when you dye your hair too much?
Coloring your hair too often can lead to significant damage. While a salon treatment may cause minimal harm, using box dye can change the structure of your hair strands.
Over time, repeated use will make your hair finer and dryer. Ammonia opens the cuticle, weakening the protective layer, and peroxide can leave your hair feeling straw-like. This can lead to irreversible damage and color that doesn’t last as long.
Your cuticle becomes damaged, meaning the pigment molecules aren’t properly sealed, leaving your hair more prone to everyday harm from heat and UV rays.
What chemicals are in hair dye?
Prior to discussing what happens to your hair during dyeing, it’s crucial to understand the chemicals in hair dye. At its core, hair dyeing is a chemical process.
Ammonia
Ammonia is a common ingredient in hair dye and plays a vital role in helping the dye penetrate the hair shaft.
If you’ve ever used box dye, you probably noticed the sharp, suffocating odour that stings your eyes and makes them water. While professional dye at a salon also uses ammonia, it only lifts the hair’s proteins enough to color it.
Box dye, however, contains excessive amounts, causing damage and leaving a lingering rancid smell. If my hair feels like straw, what can I do? Avoid box dye and seek professional help to restore its health.
Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a common ingredient in hair dyes used as an oxidising agent or developer. It removes the pre-existing colour in your hair, whether it’s natural pigment or previous dye. This allows the new colour to bond to the hair cortex. Over time, repeated dyeing can cause hair thins at ends, leading to further damage.
Paraphenylenediamine (PPD)
Paraphenylenediamine (PPD) is the primary colouring agent in most hair dye. It ensures your colour stays permanent, allowing you to wash your hair without losing the colour. The darker your hair colour, the higher the concentration of PPD needed.
Hydrogen peroxide acts as the oxidising agent, as PPD requires oxygen to become a dye, which is why permanent hair dye always comes in more than one bottle. You might wonder, does conditioner cause hair loss? Generally, no, but always use a gentle one to protect dyed hair.
Ethanolamine
People often think ammonia-free hair dye with ethanolamine is less damaging, but that’s a misconception. To get permanent hair colour, the hair cuticle must open so the dye can bond to the hair. Ethanolamine works the same as ammonia. The only reason to choose an ammonia-free dye is if you have asthma or scalp irritation caused by ammonia. Repeated dyeing can also lead to uneven texture, making your hair flat on top and poofy on bottom.
Which type of dye you use
The type of dye you choose greatly affects how long your hair color stays vibrant and how frequently you can reapply it.
Temporary
Temporary dye lasts for the shortest time and usually washes out after one shampoo. If you enjoy experimenting with temporary hair dye, you’re in luck. These dyes are not harsh or harmful to your hair, so you can use them as often as you like. However, some shades, like dark brown hair looks red in sunlight, can still change in certain lighting. Dye to your heart’s content without worrying about damage!
Semi-permanent
Semi-permanent dye lasts for about 3 to 6 washes. According to Mitchell, you can apply semi-permanent hair dye every week since it doesn’t penetrate the hair. Spearman adds that it won’t lift or lighten your natural hair color because semi-permanent dyes don’t contain peroxide like demi-permanent or permanent dyes. While they can darken your color, they won’t lighten it. For example, they can change honey blonde to brunette, but not brown to blonde.
Demi-permanent
Demi-permanent dye lasts up to 20 washes and contains low-level peroxide. According to Mitchell, you should apply this dye every 6 to 8 weeks. Unlike semi-permanent, it deposits color but cannot lift hair color, as Spearman explains. The peroxide helps the dye penetrate the hair shaft, whereas semi-permanent dye just sits on the cuticle. This is also why blonde hair turns brown over time—it’s the way the dye settles and fades, especially with demi-permanent color, which lasts longer than semi-permanent.
Permanent
Permanent dye is the longest lasting and usually requires a re-dye every 6 to 8 weeks. Permanent hair dye both lightens and deposits color. According to Spearman, it’s the only option for covering grey hair. This dye works alongside a developer, a product that helps the hair dye sink into your hair’s cuticle to deposit color effectively.
What happens if you dye your hair without bleaching?
Dyeing your hair without bleach depends on the colour you’re aiming for. If you have light brown hair and want to go black, you don’t need to bleach, since black dye molecules have more pigment. But for dark hair wanting to go lighter, you’ll need to lighten it first because darker hair has more pigment. To get a lighter hair colour, you must remove the pre-existing pigment using bleach, as lighter hair has less pigment.
Whether you’re using bleach
Bleach is used to lighten your hair by stripping it of its color. It’s not a dye, but it’s often needed when coloring from brunette to blonde, and it’s permanent. Experts warn against using bleach too often because it’s very harsh. Always avoid bleaching already bleached hair. Wait until your new hair has grown out, which usually takes about 8 to 10 weeks before bleaching again.
How many shades lighter you’re going
The expert consensus suggests staying within three shades of your natural hair color. Going lighter may require bleach or permanent dyes with peroxide, which can be harsher on your hair strands than temporary or demi-permanent options.
Should you dye your hair if it’s already dry or damaged?
If your hair feels dry, crunchy, frizzy, or dull-looking, it’s best to give it some TLC. Wait at least 8 to 10 weeks between dye jobs and use conditioning every time you’re in the shower.
If you’ve never dyed your hair before
If it’s your first time getting your hair dyed, you can dye it more often than a frequent dyer. Your hair is less likely to be dry or damaged. Still, it’s important to give your locks a break between dye jobs, especially if you’re using permanent dye.
Conclusion
Dyeing your hair too often can lead to irreversible damage over time. Chemicals like ammonia and peroxide weaken the hair’s structure, leaving it prone to breakage and dryness. For healthier results, it’s essential to maintain a proper gap between dye jobs, ideally 6 to 8 weeks. Always consider the type of dye and how it interacts with your hair’s natural texture and health to minimize damage and keep your hair vibrant and strong.
FAQ’s
What happens if you constantly dye your hair?
When you dye your hair constantly, the peroxide acts as a strong dying agent, causing it to feel dry and straw-like. With repeated colouring sessions, your hair’s structure changes, making it weaker and more prone to breakage. The more dye damaged your hair becomes, the less the colour holds over time.
Will your hair fall out if you dye it too much?
Hair dye cannot penetrate the scalp or reach the follicle where the hair grows, so it doesn’t cause hair loss. However, it can precipitate hair breakage. Most people use permanent hair color because it lasts longer, but overuse can still lead to damaged hair.
Is it bad to dye your hair 3 times in a day?
It’s not safe to dye your hair multiple times in one day. Your strands need time to recover between processes, so dyeing it twice or more in a day can cause damage.
Can I dye my hair every 2 weeks?
It’s best to wait 4 to 6 weeks before your next color treatment. This reduces the risk of hair damage. While there are some exceptions, it’s safer to err on the side of caution.
