Dyeing and Hair Loss

Q: I am 17 years old, and I think I've started losing hair on the top of my head. The hair on the bottom is still fairly thick and frizzy, but the hair on top and near my roots has become much thinner. I even think I might have a bald spot forming.

My natural hair color is dirty blond, but I dye it about every three months, and sometimes even more often. I've dyed it black twice, and I wonder if that's what caused the thinning because I've heard black hair dye is stronger than other colors.

I've also been taking a biotin supplement every morning, but I haven't noticed any improvement. I'm really scared because I'm so young to be dealing with thinning hair. What will my hair be like when I'm older? The problem is that I really don't want to stop coloring my hair. What should I do?

A: If you truly believe your hair dye may be contributing to your hair loss, you should stop coloring your hair immediately until you know what's causing the problem. While hair dye doesn't usually cause permanent hair loss, it can damage the hair shaft and in some cases irritate the scalp or trigger shedding. Continuing to expose your hair to chemicals when you suspect they're causing a problem is not worth the risk.

At 17, noticeable hair thinning is not something you should ignore. Although some people begin experiencing hereditary hair loss during their teenage years, there are many other possible causes. Hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies, certain medications, thyroid disorders, scalp conditions, and even harsh hair products can all contribute to thinning hair.

The best next step is to schedule an appointment with a dermatologist. A dermatologist can examine your scalp, review your medical history, discuss your hair care routine, and determine whether additional testing is needed. Identifying the underlying cause early gives you the best chance of addressing the problem.

A hairdresser is trained to help you care for, cut, color, and style your hair, but not to diagnose medical conditions affecting the scalp or hair follicles. If hair loss is occurring beneath the surface of the skin, it requires medical evaluation. While it's reasonable to stop dyeing your hair if you suspect it's contributing to the problem, only a doctor can determine the true cause of your thinning hair and recommend a treatment.

You must also understand the role of biotin. While biotin is often marketed as a hair-growth supplement, it only helps people who are actually deficient in the vitamin. For most healthy individuals, taking extra biotin does not significantly increase hair growth or stop hair loss.

This answer is intended for informational purposes only. For medical advice or a diagnosis, contact a doctor.

©Hairfinder.com

See also: How often can I color my hair before I destroy it?