There are countless ways to style your hair for a gorgeous new look and dyeing it is one of the best. You’ve probably tried various types of hair dyes on the market, but do you know anything about the ingredients in your favourite brand?
Hydrogen peroxide is a bleaching agent found in most hair dyes today. It’s used by many to lighten their hair, but few people fully understand what this chemical can do to your hair. In this article, we’re going to take a closer look at this hair lightener.
How Does Hydrogen Peroxide Work?
Most hair colouring products you’ll find in beauty stores contain hydrogen peroxide. These products won’t do you any harm so long as you don’t use them too frequently. If you plan to use hydrogen peroxide to bleach your hair, however, there are a few things you need to know.
It Oxidises The Melanin In Your Hair
Hydrogen peroxide works to oxidise and remove melanin from your hair. This is why its bleaching effect doesn’t disappear until new hair grows. Melanin is a natural pigment that gives you your natural hair colour. When hair dye strips melanin from your hair, it reveals the pale-yellow colour from the keratin.
If hydrogen peroxide is used on its own, your hair becomes bleached or lighter in colour once the melanin is removed. If it’s mixed with other chemical compounds in a hair dye mixture, it oxidises and bonds with them. Most of the time, people use it to lighten their hair before applying different hair colours to make the pigments more visible.
You Can Use It For Permanent Hair Lightening
Hair dye products containing hydrogen peroxide are considered permanent. That means your natural hair colour won’t reappear until new hair starts to show.
Risks Of Using Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is an effective way of bleaching your hair that provides a long-lasting outcome. If you follow the manufacturer’s instructions and refrain from using the product too often, you’ll be fine. If you disregard the instructions, you may experience one or two unwanted side effects.
Scalp Issues
The skin is a sensitive organ, and it can become irritated if you expose it to chemicals too often. Rashes and allergic reactions are common, but sometimes the results can be more serious.
Reckless use of hydrogen peroxide can lead to chemical burns and inflammation in your scalp, or what’s commonly called dermatitis. The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) has concluded that the chemical is one of the ingredients in hair dyes that can cause this condition.
Hair Damage
Hydrogen peroxide can damage the hair cuticle, the outer layer of your hair that protects and strengthens your strands. Damage to the cuticle can lead to reduced protection and make your hair vulnerable to breakage. In turn, that has the potential to result in hair loss.
Hair Loss
Besides damaging the cuticle, hydrogen peroxide can lead to hair loss in other ways. The strong chemical can cause oxidative stress for your hair, which ages it faster and leads to hair thinning. This is particularly the case if you use it excessively.
Conclusion
Hydrogen peroxide isn’t harmful to your hair if used properly. That said, if you’re doing a DIY hair colouring treatment at home, it’s probably safer to use products that don’t contain it. If you really need to use it, take the precaution of covering the skin around your hairline. For the best and safest hair dye results, put your trust in your hairstylist.
If you want more information on any of the issues raised in this article, contact Vinci Hair Clinic. We also offer a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our hair specialists. Get in touch and book yours today!
