Reasons We Should Never Dye Our Hair

1. Just don't do it

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Dying your hair might feel like a good idea, but you have to stop to think whether changing your natural color is really worth it.  There's not only the damage that many hair dyes will inevitably do to your hair, but did you know that dying your hair also poses some serious health risks?

2. It'll never be the same again

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If you do decide to dye your hair, you have to be prepared for it to never be the same again.  You see, it's not just your hair color or shade that changes when you dye your hair.  In fact, every strand on your head is likely to change texture too, as well as face devastating damage.

3. The damage is serious

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When you dye your hair, the damage that this causes to your precious tresses is unfortunately quite serious.  You see, many commercial hair dyes, including box dyes, aid in weakening your hair shaft, and this can lead to a change in texture, hair dryness, and brittleness, as well as ultimately hair breakage and loss.

4. There are health risks involved...

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It's not just your hair that bears the brunt of the damage, but studies have shown that dying your hair could pose some serious threats to your health.  These serious health conditions include allergic reactions, and increased risks of certain types of cancer, and there are some common ingredients, such as lead acetate that have been linked to neurotoxicity.

5. There's an increased cancer risk...

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There are certain common toxic and harmful ingredients that are deemed to be carcinogenic including DMDM hydantoin, methylisothiazolinone, and certain fragrances.  There have been many studies into the use of hair dyes that have found links with different types of cancer.

6. Breast Cancer Risk

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In a study carried out of over 25,000 women, a link between the prolonged use of hair dye and an increased risk of developing breast cancer was detected.  However, the results from other studies have been incredibly mixed and studies looking at other types of cancer such as an increased risk of bladder cancer have had small but consistent results.

7. Increased risk of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

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The same goes for cancers that are related to the blood such as Lymphoma and Leukemia.  However small the risks detected have been, though, those results have also been consistent. The increased risks of developing non-Hodgkin Lymphoma have been found more likely in women who began to use hair dyes before the 1980s.

8. Leukemia risk

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Those cancers related to the blood, such as Leukemia, have not only found a higher risk in women who used the older hair dyes, pre-1980, but also in women who consistently used darker hair dyes over a prolonged period. This is because the darker dyes contain a higher concentration of chemicals which are considered to be harmful.

9. Kidney disease

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Studies have also found that there might be a chance that some types of hair dye could be linked to the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD). These dyes are likely to contain acetate and Bismuth sulfate which can cause CKD, as well as acute interstitial nephritis.

10. Liver problems

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One study found a link between hair dye and smoking and progressive liver disease.  The research found that those who used hair dye regularly over a prolonged period and/or smoked were more likely to enter an early form of liver cirrhosis, known as primary biliary cirrhosis.

11. Neurotoxicity

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Neurotoxicity happens when the body is exposed to toxic substances that damage and alter the activity of the nervous system. Some hair dyes contain neurotoxins, including lead acetate, when used, can even kill neurons that are essential for transmitting and processing signals in the brain and throughout the nervous system.

12. ...And a higher risk of an allergic reaction

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Allergic reactions to hair dyes are nasty, and if you don't do a patch test before using one, you're putting yourself at a high risk of developing quite a severe one. Allergic reactions from hair dye can result in itchy skin, uncomfortable red rashes, swollen facial features, feeling faint, and experiencing breathing and swallowing difficulties.

13. Skin and scalp damage

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Hair dye could also cause some damage to not only your hair but also to your skin and scalp.  This could occur in the form of an allergic reaction with the usual suspects: the lumps and bumps; the itching; and the pain.  Not only this, it could also occur as a result of the dye itself, particularly if you've left it on too long due the the ammonia commonly present.

14. Loss of vision

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In extreme cases, you might even lose your vision due the the dyes that you use on your hair.  If you're allergic and have a reaction, the swelling could be so severe that it could actually close your eyes. It's probably a no-brainer but if you accidentally get some in your eyes, this could be a possibility too.

15. Hair loss is real

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So we've discussed those negative impacts on your health, whilst barely mentioning your actual hair yet. This is what you're here for, right? You dye it because you care about it, but in doing so, you also risk damaging your tresses past the point of no return, with the possibility of it actually resulting in some serious hair loss.

16. It destroys your natural locks...

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Your natural locks have their own unique hue, color, and texture, and when you alter them by dying them or using heat to style them, you're more than likely damaging them. You see, they contain a cocktail of strong chemicals that are likely to weaken and damage your hair, making it look in need of some love.

17. ...including your natural color...

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If you've dyed your hair for a long time, you probably don't even remember what your natural color is.  And to be honest, even though it only affects your hair and not the regrowth, you might even turn grey without even realizing it, meaning that your natural color has gone forever without you ever revisiting it.

18. ...And your natural texture will change

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Your hair can also be permanently changed by dying it in terms of its type and texture.  It might become dry and frizzy when it was once silky and poker-straight, or it might straighten out if you once had natural curls. It might even go much thinner, rendering it quite flat and lifeless.

19. You can't stop the breakage

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Your hair might even become shorter through breakage.  As it becomes more dry and brittle, it's likely that you're going to end up with split ends and a lot more hair loss than you would if you had just left your natural tresses alone. The only way to stop it is to have the damaged ends cut off, and even then it's not guaranteed.

20. You can see the damage

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The damage is on your head too so it's pretty difficult to hide. And if you don't use any conditioning treatments or visit a professional, it's more than likely that you're going to be able to actually see the damage caused by dying. It's one thing noticing your own hair damage, but when others do too then you know it's time stop!

21. It becomes dry and frizzy...

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Hair dryness is a problem for many women and it's not just because of dying it.  It could also be a result of straightening, curling, and a lack of conditioner.  When you lighten your hair, many people tend to use dyes that contain peroxide, which, although effective, makes your hair feel like a haystack.

22. ...Or limp and lifeless

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With the damage and the breakage that is possible with dying your hair, it can result in a limp and lifeless mop that looks far from healthy.  Luckily there are treatments that you can try, but you're likely to need to style it more, draining you of time, and effort, and perhaps causing even more damage.

23. It could turn into gum

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If you dye your hair at home, you might risk over processing it by leaving it on your hair for too long.  This could cause a lot of damage to your hair and make it feel stretchy like gum, especially if your chosen dye contains peroxide.  With this, it tends to break off, leaving you with shorter and very damaged-looking hair.

24. Even taking a hiatus doesn't help

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There have been some influencers taking on the challenge of allowing their natural hair to grow out after years of relying on hair dye.  But despite seeing a positive change in the overall health and look of their hair, they still point out that their hair has not gone back to its natural state that they remember from their hair-dying days.

25. You can't go grey gracefully

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Everyone pretty much has the pleasure of going grey later in life but if you dye your hair, you will no doubt miss the start of the process, leaving you with no opportunity to witness your stages and shades of grey.  Your hair also changes texture later in life so it could seriously affect the look and effects of the dye too.

26. It takes FOREVER to grow out

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It doesn't matter if your hair is, in fact, the type to grow quickly, it seems like it takes ages and ages for the dye to naturally grow out.  And whilst you're in the process of growing it out, you have to deal with that middle part where your hair looks neither here nor there.  And when you're in this place, the impulse to dye it is so strong.

27. It's so time-consuming too

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Dying your hair can be so time-consuming too.  Box dyes are usually pretty quick, but if you have to lighten it and then dye it, it can take up a good chunk of your week.  And the same goes for if you choose to get it dyed professionally.  You have to sit in that salon chair for hours!

28. It's expensive

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Professional hair color is so expensive, as is the upkeep of it, even if you choose to use a box dye.  And then if you're faced with damage or it goes horribly wrong, you're more than likely going to have to buy more products or services in order to fix it, not to mention the medical bills if you suffer an allergic reaction.

29. Unintentional ingestions

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Having anything in the house with kids can be difficult to manage, but when you've got chemicals like hair dyes in easy-to-reach places, like in your bathroom, then there's also the risk of accidental ingestion.  If this does happen, it's a good idea to check the box and the instructions for advice or get medical attention.

30. Are there any more healthy alternatives?

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So we've been through the negatives of dying your hair, but if this is what you like to do, you might be wondering whether there are any healthy alternatives to chemical-laden dyes.  Well, you're in luck because more natural dyes exist in the world that are much more conditioning and considered safer to use, such as henna.  But no matter what, always do a patch test!