Can Hair Dye Cause Hair Loss?

Whether you’re covering up grays, going for that “just got back from vacation” sun-kissed look, or seeing if you can pull off a jet black or platinum blonde, dyeing over your natural color can feel like a power move. 

But at some point, you might wonder about the side effects. For example: Does hair color cause hair loss?

While hair dye itself isn’t the death of your hairline, it can cause some chaos to your hair health if you’re not careful. 

Here, we explore what’s really going on if you notice hair falling out after dyeing it, including the best ways to keep both your style and your strands intact. 

Technically, hair dye doesn’t cause hair fall from the root like androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness) does.

However, it can encourage dryness, lacklusterness, and split ends, making things potentially thin out more than you’d like. 

The real culprit isn’t the color itself, but the harsh chemicals in the dye that can weaken your strands and irritate your scalp.

If you’re a long-term hair dyer, especially if you use bleach-heavy formulas, chances are your hair has become more prone to drying out. This can make it brittle and more likely to start breaking and falling out. 

In other cases, people may have allergic reactions when using hair dye or experience contact dermatitis (irritation caused by direct contact with a substance that triggers a reaction) or scalp inflammation harsh enough to tell some of their hair strands to take a hike. 

Hair dye seems pretty simple: it’s just color in a box, right? Not so fast. 

Hair dye is a carefully curated cocktail of chemicals designed not only to alter the pigment of your hair but also to stick around for a while (like, permanently with permanent hair color).

Some of those ingredients are great for transforming your locks into the color you want but not so great for your hair’s strength and general health. 

If you’re a label reader when you shop for food, you may want to consider using that skill on your hair dye, too. 

Here are some of the most common ingredients used in hair dyes and why they can be problematic:

• Ammonia: Ammonia is used to open up the hair cuticle so the dye can get deep inside and change your hair color. Unfortunately, it also strips away your hair’s natural moisture and protective layers, leaving it dry, porous, and more likely to break. It can also cause contact dermatitis. 

• Hydrogen peroxide: This is the ingredient responsible for bleaching your natural hair pigment. It’s essential for going lighter, as it first removes existing pigment (melanin) to create a more workable canvas, if you will. However, peroxide also weakens the hair shaft and makes it prone to splitting and snapping, especially with repeated use.

• Ethanolamine or monoethanolamine: Some dyes swap out ammonia for ethanolamine, claiming to be less harsh. While it may smell better and be slightly less irritating, if you see ethanolamine on the ingredient list, know that it can still dry out your hair and irritate your scalp when it’s used frequently. Some research also suggests monoethanolamine triggers oxidative stress that can promote hair loss.

• Paraphenylenediamine (PPD): Common in darker hair dyes and henna, PPD helps create long-lasting color. It’s also a known allergen. For some guys, using PPD can cause contact dermatitis, scalp redness, itching, burning, or even swelling, all of which can contribute to hair shedding.

Not everyone will respond the same way to these ingredients, if at all, but it’s good to be aware of the potential culprits. 

Permanent hair dye can work wonders for your look, but when it goes wrong, your scalp and hair may pay the price. 

If you’ve ever felt an intense itch, burn, or tingle while dyeing your hair, that usually doesn’t mean “it’s working.” Pay attention to the red flags. 

Here’s what can happen:

Allergic Reactions

Some people are sensitive or allergic to ingredients in hair dye, like PPD, which we mentioned above. 

Reactions can range from mild itching to swelling, redness, hives, or even oozing blisters (ew). This inflammation can disrupt the normal hair growth cycle, causing increased shedding or thinning.

Chemical Burns and Irritation

Leaving dye on too long (follow the instructions, please), using a product that’s too strong, or applying it to already angry skin can lead to chemical burns or scalp irritation. 

This type of damage can harm hair follicles, leading to patchy hair loss or tenderness.

Scalp Inflammation

Even if it’s not a full-blown allergic reaction, harsh ingredients can inflame your scalp. And when your scalp is unhappy, your hair tends to be too.

Inflamed follicles don’t function quite right, which can cause hair strands to fall out more easily when you’re washing or combing them, an association you might also see with male pattern hair loss.

Is Hair Loss From Dye Permanent?

In most cases, this kind of hair loss isn’t permanent. Phew. 

Once the irritation clears up and your scalp recovers, your hair should get back to normal. But repeated exposure without taking precautions? That’s asking for a long-term struggle.

This means you should probably take a break and give your hair some intentional gentle care. 

You want to change your hair color, not your hairline. You can still dye your hair without frying it into oblivion.

Here’s how to keep your style fresh and your strands where you want them (on your head):

• Don’t overdo it. Give your hair some breathing room between dye sessions. Constant coloring, especially with permanent dyes or bleaching agents, can weaken your hair. Wait at least eight weeks between applications, or try to stretch it to 10 or more if you can.

• Choose gentler formulas. Look for ammonia-free or semi-permanent dyes, especially if you’re just covering grays or tweaking your tone. These tend to be less harsh and easier on both your hair and scalp.

• Do a patch test first. Before you slather dye all over your head, test a small patch of skin to rule out any allergic reactions. It’s not the most exciting part of the process, but it beats scalp swelling or a trip to urgent care for a burn. 

• Prep and protect. Don’t color your hair when it’s already dry, brittle, or freshly washed. A little natural oil on your scalp offers protection. Consider using a pre-treatment or barrier cream around your hairline to minimize irritation. 

• Follow up with deep conditioning. After rinsing out the dye, treat your hair to a nourishing deep conditioner or hair mask. This may help replenish moisture and repair damage.

• Skip the heat for a hot second. Blow dryers, straighteners, and curling irons can add insult to injury after dyeing. Give your hair a break from high heat while it recovers its strength (and consider heat-styling less often in general).

• See the experts. Going from dark brown to platinum blonde? This is more major chemistry, so we suggest leaving this one to the pros. DIY dye jobs can go sideways fast when major color transitions are involved.

So you’ve dyed your hair and now it feels...thinner. Don’t panic, your follicles haven’t abandoned you forever. 

Here’s what to do if your new hair color comes with some unexpected fallout.

1. Pause the Dyeing

First things first: Give your hair and scalp a break. Put the dye box down and step away from the bleach. Overprocessing is a top reason for breakage and thinning, so let your hair recover before applying more chemicals.

2. Focus on Scalp Care

A healthy scalp is the foundation of healthy hair. Use gentle, sulfate-free shampoos and consider a scalp serum or oil massage to nourish and soothe. Avoid scratching or picking.

3. Moisturize 

Thinning hair can be caused by dry, brittle hair snapping off and jumping ship. Load up on deep conditioners, leave-in treatments, and masks to strengthen strands and lock in moisture.

4. Minimize Heat Styling and Tight Hairstyles

Flat irons and tight buns for longer hair may be stylish, but they can make hair loss worse when your hair is already vulnerable. Stick to loose styles and air-drying while your strands recover.

5. Try Strengthening Treatments

Look for products with ingredients like biotin, keratin, or peptides that support hair strength and resilience. These won’t magically regrow hair overnight, but they can reduce further breakage.

6. Talk to a Pro

If hair thinning continues or you notice bald patches, it might be time to see a dermatologist (skin expert) or trichologist (hair expert). There could be an underlying issue that needs treatment beyond what over-the-counter products alone can fix.

Dyeing your hair doesn’t have to come at the cost of hair damage, thinning strands, or a stressed-out scalp. While harsh chemicals and over-dyeing habits can lead to breakage or irritation, smart choices and good hair care go a long way.

Here’s the takeaway: 

• Hair dye products can cause fragility and breakage, but using them doesn’t trigger true hair loss from the root like male pattern baldness. 

• There can be harsh chemicals in hair coloring products that are known to be tough on hair, especially when used frequently, particularly peroxide (bleach) and ammonia. 

• If you don’t want to stop dyeing your hair altogether, look for gentler hair care products, give your hair some TLC (and a good conditioner), and protect your scalp as much as you can to minimize damage. 

And don’t forget, your hairstylist is a great resource, especially if you’ve been going to them for a while and they’re familiar with your color-treated hair. Or, consult a dermatology expert if you’ve got scalp side effects.

More questions? Check out our men’s hair care resources, and if you want pro advice on things like hair loss, start by taking our free hair assessment.