hair dye

[Fran666]

Is hair dye really that bad for your hair?

[ann_h]

Dye as such is OK. Bleach is bad, it weakens and dries the hair. you would need to use a lot of conditioners/waxes to keep it looking good, and probably restrict the length. Some colourants will have a bleaching agent in them. For dyeing reds and browns, natural dyes are safest but can go gungy green if you use a chemical other type of colourant/bleach afterwards!

[FP]

I think a lot depends on your hair type.  I have been dying and bleaching and experimenting with hair colours since I was 15.  My hair has been bleached white blonde (when I was young) and various other shades of blonde, brown and auburn.   - I am now 57 and currently have dark blonde/light brown hair to which I will add some highlights soon.    It shines and is in good condition and I have never had any problems.  However, I did have very greasy hair when I was young and the bleach helped.  I can't remember ever having natural colour hair which is probably now mousy brown with some grey bits!

I would add that I have never had a perm or used heated tongs on my hair and only dry it with a cool hairdryer.  I would think that perming, straightening, tongs and colour might not mix too well.

Today's hair colouring products are very good.

[Casey]

Dyes aren't that bad as the colour is not stripped from your hair, although they can still dry your hair out. Bleach is more harsh as your natural colour is stripped in order for your hair to take a lighter colour. This can be very damaging if done too regularly, and a lot depends on what products are used aswell. There are good and bad ones out there.

[nicola_red]

I bleach and dye my hair regularly and yes, it does damage it.  But it's nothing that some TLC won't fix.  With help from intensive conditioners etc, I keep mine long and it looks in decent condition.

[CiderMonkey]

i have been colouring my hair since i was about 13 (i am 27 now and i've probably tried about every colour!). My hair has been ok, as long as I condition it properly. I don't use any products on my hair and let it dry naturally, never use heated curlers/straighteners etc, so this may have something to do with it. Bleach did dry my hair out a bit but if you use those intensive conditioners it's usually fine and goes back to being soft.