If applied properly, hair color should not cause hair loss in any woman. However, there are some circumstances where it is not advisable to color at all for fear of hair loss. Circumstances include extreme damage, severe illness, questionable chemical application history and observable and recent hair loss. In other words, do not color your hair if you are already experiencing hair loss and breakage.
Causes
Hair loss after hair coloring usually occurs as a result of too many color applications in a short period of time. Repeated color applications break down the hair until it resembles wet cotton and it slides down the drain with the rinse water. In addition to repeated applications, color can break down the hair if the solution is too strong. Since color loses its strength after about an hour or so, tales of stylists leaving color on until the hair melts away are nothing more than urban legends.
Rare chemical reactions can occur if you have used certain types of cheap metallic dyes on your hair in the past. In this type of reaction, the combining chemicals create heat, which breaks hair off evenly at the application site of the previous process.
Prevention
Hair loss due to hair coloring should never occur. With proper color application and formulation, hair should withstand any color process provided that the hair is of sufficient health and strength. Your stylist can help you determine if a new color is advisable. Always seek the advice of a professional before each color treatment to prevent hair loss.
Consultation
Stylists perform a consultation before each and every hair color service. During the consult, they obtain information including a complete history, wants and desires, the overall condition of the hair and any concerns that the client may have. The consultation uncovers any factors that may cause potential problems, including past chemical services that may not be visibly apparent and medical issues. A thorough consultation will determine whether or not hair loss will occur as a result of the color service.
Safety
If the consultation uncovers potential problems, certain steps will ensure that no hair loss occurs. Steps include mild formulation of color, conditioning treatments, cutting away damaged hair and the introduction of new products to the client.
Underlying Causes
Sometimes, medical issues and medications interfere with the health of your hair. Always tell your stylist about any health issues, lifestyle influences or medications that affect your hair. Common issues that affect hair include thyroid disease, heart disease, blood pressure medications, chemotherapy, malnutrition and hormonal imbalances.
References
- "Milady's Standard Textbook of Cosmetology;" Milady, Diane Carol Bailey and Margrit Attenburg; 2008
Member Comments