Does hair dye contribute to hairloss?

[River]

Hey guys,

I first noticed I was losing hair about 3 years ago, when I was 25, and I found that by dying my hair black, I was able to camouflage it quite well. I still dye my hair, but I have noticed a progression from norwood 2 to the early stages of a norwood 3.

I began taking finasteride 30 days ago, and while researching studies of the efficacy of this drug, I found that study participants were not allowed to dye their hair whilst they were on finasteride.

This has made me wonder if hair dye has contirubted to the progression of my hairloss. Does anyone know if there any evidence out there that dying your hair can make MPB related hairloss worse?

[TeeJay73]

Based on everything that I have learned (I am not a doctor!), the answer is no. Coloring and/or dying your hair cannot make hair loss worse, because hair loss is a medical condition that is, in a sense, within your body. The production of DHT within your body attacks the hair follicles from within, and slowly withers them away. Once hair has grown out of the hair follicle, it is really lifeless. So, you can do whatever you want to it.

TeeJay

[Richard Keller, MD]

Hey guys,

I first noticed I was losing hair about 3 years ago, when I was 25, and I found that by dying my hair black, I was able to camouflage it quite well. I still dye my hair, but I have noticed a progression from norwood 2 to the early stages of a norwood 3.

I began taking finasteride 30 days ago, and while researching studies of the efficacy of this drug, I found that study participants were not allowed to dye their hair whilst they were on finasteride.

This has made me wonder if hair dye has contirubted to the progression of my hairloss. Does anyone know if there any evidence out there that dying your hair can make MPB related hairloss worse?

Good question River,

Hair dye does not usually cause hair loss. However, harsh chemicals and bleaching could irritate the scalp and cause breakage. A healthy scalp provides a healty enviornment for hair.

The finasteride study would have controlled variables, so hair dye use would not be allowed during the study. Male pattern baldness is caused by genetic inheritance and DHT.

Regards,
Dr. Richard Keller