Colour Your Hair Without Risking Hair Loss

If you feel like changing up your hair colour again but do not want to fall victim to hair loss, there are some ways you can mitigate the risk of hair thinning and have the colours of the rainbow on your head. 

The causes behind hair loss in women

There are several factors that can cause hair loss among females. Serious hair loss is usually triggered by hormonal imbalances, medication, or genetics. Hair loss due to stress, diet, and thyroid hormone imbalances typically only last temporarily.

Genetic factors

Thinning and balding areas in the hair occurs slowly over a lifetime. Thinning can begin at any age and may continue progress into old age if you do not take proper precautions. In male or female pattern baldness, hair growth begins to slow down and over time, grow smaller and finer until they begin to look like bald spots. 

This type of hair loss can lower your self-esteem.

In androgenetic alopecia, the follicle becomes sensitive to androgenic hormones in the body and will begin to produce less hair. This is because androgens can cause shortened hair growth cycles, eventually resulting in increasingly thinner hair. There is also evidence that there are genetic factors involved. 

So, if you have noticed a pattern of receding hairlines and balding crowns among your family members, there is a possibility that this type of hair loss runs in your blood, too. 

Lifestyle factors

Specific habits in your daily routine can also impact the health of your hair. Constantly pulling your hair back in a tight bun or ponytail can make your hair more fragile and prone to breakage. 

For example, an all-time classic hairstyle is the hair bun. A tried-and-true hairstyle for men and women who want to quickly pull their hair back, it simultaneously serves as a classy and sleek look as well. With the exception of a messy or loose bun, this type of hair loss is caused by strained roots and is referred to as traction alopecia.

Other hairstyles like braids and cornrows still pose a risk for hair loss, as well as hair extensions. This is a popular choice in women with short hair as they can grow their hair out overnight and adds a whole new world of style. But hair extensions tied too tightly to the hair can cause stress on the roots, especially when they are left in for too long. 

Swimmers and ballerinas may experience these issues as the hair is pulled back tight in buns and underneath the swim caps. 

The best thing to do to prevent severe hair loss in the future is to switch up your hairstyles as often as possible. On days where you do not have swimming or dancing in your agenda, let your hair down. 

In addition to these common causes of hair loss above, colouring your hair can evidently add a host of stressors to the environment on which your hair grows – the scalp. By introducing harsh chemicals such as in bleach or hair dyes to the scalp, this further prevents new or rapid hair growth. You will find thinning or balding areas in your hair when this happens. 

How to keep your hair colour without risking hair loss

One of the major myths about hair colouring is that it permanently damages the hair shaft. This is true but only if you use bleach or disregard the directions on the packaging. In fact, some types of hair dyes like semi-permanent colours that have an acidic base can protect the hair cuticle and the hair shaft.

Here are some other tips to prevent hair loss when colouring your hair. 

Avoid bleach

Any colour change requiring bleach will cause some damage to your hair. For a major colour change, such as moving from jet black to blonde, bleach helps to amplify the colours. If you apply your hair colour without bleach, you should still be able to see some differences in colour, though it may not be as bright. 

Try to avoid bright colours that require bleach and consider wearing hair extensions if you want to add vibrant colours to your hair. 

Check your ingredients

The next time you go shopping for hair dyes, take a peek at the list of ingredients first. Toxic chemicals that may potentially lead to severe hair loss include P-phenylenediamine, resorcinol, or lead acetate. It is also recommended to choose hair dyes containing hydrogen peroxide under 20%. 

Go to a salon

Professionals simply have accessto better higher-end colour options. Additionally, your stylist has the experience to match the right colour to your face and features. It is also a good idea to request colour agents that are easier on thinning hair such as vegetable-based dyes.

Consulting hair care and scalp specialists with a proven track record in managing different types of hair loss can be a good option if you are willing to seek treatment. Hair care and scalp specialists are more than qualified to perform an assessment on your scalp and determine the type of treatment that suits you best, as well as provide professional advice on hair care for coloured hair. 

Check out our list of the top hair loss treatments in Singapore and their rate of effectiveness for more tips on countering hair loss for men and women.