Hair dying has become very common. While some people get it done occasionally, others get their roots and highlights touched up almost every month.
While admittedly, adding color to the hair makes the hair look different, and your entire look flattering, but have you thought about the impact of hair dye on your hair?
It is not just the exposure to the chemicals that has an impact on the hair, but many techniques like balayage also involve tugging and pulling at the strands, which also then has an impact on the hair health.
In some cases, the impact of dying might be dire enough to the merit intervention of the Best Skin Specialist in Islamabad.
Whether you want to get the dye done or not is your own prerogative but knowing about all aspects of hair dyeing is important to make an informed decision.
The good side of hair dyeing
Any good that hair dyeing brings is purely aesthetic in nature. It does not have any positive impact on the health of the hair –quite the contrary, actually. Some people feel more comfortable after they get their hair done, which boosts their confidence and self-esteem.
Similarly, dyeing the hair might be used for one’s expression, or even to showcase one’s own style and taste.
The bad side of hair dyeing
The ugly truth about ammonia
For the pigment to settle into the hair and give it color, it needs to first break into the strand. Ammonia helps the dye in this endeavor, as it breaks through the cuticle to enter the strand. This action damages the hair.
It leads to the strands becoming dry and brittle. It also makes the texture of the hair coarser. Furthermore, some people might also be allergic to ammonia, which can then lead to problems like rashes, itching, skin breaking out and becoming sensitive.
Ammonia can also lead to issues like dermatitis, that then require the help of a doctor to manage.
Bleach is another issue
For your hair to take up the color, especially if you are making drastic changes that require cutting the pigment, like is the case when going blonde from brunette, then your hairdresser will also require the aid of bleach or peroxide.
Since most hair colors require peroxide as an activator, you might be using it without even realizing it. The impact of bleach on your hair, as you can imagine, is not so great. It damages keratin, the protein that makes up your hair, and resultantly, renders a great amount of damage to your hair, causing it to turn dull, dry, and brittle.
Paraphenylenediamine or PPDA
PPDA is another ingredient one has to be careful about. Found in many permanent hair dyes, many people can be allergic to PPDA. A severe allergic reaction can not only lead to skin issues, hives etc., but in rare cases, it may also cause anaphylaxis to occur.
Anaphylactic shock can be fatal, if the antidote is not given in time, such is the gravity of the situation.
The pigment of the dye is also a problem
If you are using a permanent hair dye, one that lasts you months or even years a time, then you are also stuck with the molecule resting in your hair. Since the process of deposition leads to hair shaft opening and closing multiple times, it then becomes weaker. Consequently, your entire strand becomes weaker.
Even henna is not a great option
Henna is a plant-based dye. Since it is natural, many people perceive it to be a safe option, but unfortunately, that is also not true.
Henna can also lead to hair damage, causing the hair to become brittle, dull and coarse. Moreover, some people might also be allergic to it.
Similarly, use of henna can also lead to contact dermatitis, that then requires the help of Skin Specialists to tackle.
