This Is What Really Happens When You Dye Your Hair Too Often

Let's face it, it is fun to change your hair color. Some of you might want a different color because you are bored with your natural hair, and others want to cover up those grays. Sometimes, we see our favorite celebrity rocking a new hair color and want it, too. According to the Times of India, the primary purpose of coloring your hair is to improve the color you already have. Many also color their hair to get the perfect shine or to look younger. 

Ancient Egyptians were among the first known people to dye their hair using henna, mostly to cover up the grays. In the Roman Empire, sex workers used a plant-based mixture to lighten their hair because they were required to be blonde, per Madison Reed. The culture of coloring your hair is not new; what is different is that we have so many options now.

Too much of anything can be harmful, and, unfortunately, that applies to dying your hair. We have all heard horror stories where people experienced breakage, dryness, and overall damage to their hair after coloring it. Sadly, we have to say that if you dye your hair too often, you can damage it. Your hair is at its healthiest when it hasn't been touched with color. You can lessen the effect by using natural hair dyes, at-home products, or by going longer in between coloring appointments. 

Read on to learn what can happen if you color too frequently. 

There are mainly three kinds of hair dye available on the market: temporary, semi-permanent, and permanent. The differences have to do with how much they penetrate the hair shaft and how long they last (via Times of India). All hair dyes are chemicals that change the nature and structure of your hair. Doing so means you have to deal with either short-term or long-term damage. 

According to Healthline, applying any kind of permanent dye or bleach creates a chemical reaction that causes the protein in your hair to lift so the chemicals can penetrate the hair strand. Unfortunately, when you alter the hair's protein structure to get the gorgeous color you want, it can also result in loss of hair strength, reduced thickness, and increased roughness of the follicles. Stylecraze agrees that coloring your hair too much can make your hair prone to more damage because the color goes deep in the hair shaft to alter the pigment. The result can strip the protective layer from your hair and make your hair look dry. The chemicals in hair dye can also cause allergies and redness or itchiness on the scalp.

It is best to keep coloring your hair to a minimum. However, if you are addicted to the process, Mother Earth Living recommends avoiding chemicals like P-Phenylenediamine (PPD), hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, and lead acetate.