hair loss and hair dye

Could using a permanent hair color (no ammonia) every 6 - 7 weeks contribute to hair loss?   I am 54 and have been experiencing hair loss for the past 3 years  - almost same time table that i started to color hair.  Hair loss has been attributed to hormone changes.  Thyroid was ruled out.  Cant' help to wonder if there is connection with hair color.  However, discontinuing hair coloring is a long and painful (i.e., unattractive) experiment.  Any thoughts/suggestions  would be greatly appreciated.

[Londres70]

Sure it can.  You can choose to have more hair, but unattractive or less hair that is colored.  If you keep losing hair that will become unattractive anyways.

Menopause doesn't help matters.  

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Definitely the chemicals contained in the hair colors can cause hair loss. I suggest you to stop using the hair color. Other reason can be because the hair enter the telogen phase. See the growth cycle of hair is in two phases, anagen or growth phase and telogen or resting phase. During telogen, the resting hair remains in the follicle until it is pushed out by growth of a new anagen hair. In telogen effluvium, a large number of hair enter telogen at one time.

If hair loss persists then you need to get this possibility evaluated from a trichologist.
It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[laura1959]

What to do, what to do?  Chemicals on your hair can definitely cause problems with hair loss. When I started having some real issues with hair loss I did the following:

1.  I quit using shampoos and conditioners that contain phylates, parabens and petrochemicals (Burt's Bees products) and

2.  I started taking some supplements:  Evening Primrose oil and an enteric-coated fish oil supplement that contains DHA and EPA.  

3.  I stopped using permanent dyes and only have highlights put in once or twice a year.

It took several months to see a real difference, but two years later my hair is much improved (and so is my skin and my problems with dry eye)!

I feel sometimes like I'm caught in a struggle between looking like I'm trying too hard or looking like I completely gave up  . . .   It is a tough transition -- you are not alone in your struggle . . .

[redspa]

Thanks for your response;

1. I shampoo with sulfate free shampoos - what shampoo do you like the best?

2.  I take biotin and fish oil.  Maybe I'll add Evening Primrose oil

3.  I color with Revlon Colorsilk, but have recently switched out the 20 developer that comes with it to a 10 (purchased separately at Sally's);  10 is mostly used in demi-permanent coloring;  I hope to see a difference soon.

I am lucky that my skin is fine - I do have dry eye - always have but got worse in past 2 years

YES - The struggle - Boy do I know the struggle!!   I don't stress out as much as I use to - guess I'm accepting it better - but it really makes a difference in how I feel.

Thank you so much for sharing.

[laura1959]

Re-reading my comments, I realize that it looked like Burt's Bees products were the ones I was avoiding!  Actually, I highly recommend Burt's Bees.  

I have fine hair and must shampoo every day.  That said, I use Burt's Bees Very Volumizing shampoo (and conditioner) -- Pomegranate and Soy.  

I transitioned from a "do" that required lots of product and fussing to a simple bob and looks professional and is "hot flash friendly."  For me, less is more.  Good luck!!  You will find your way through this -- many wonderful women have led the way for us . . .  :-)