Master hair dyeing: your guide to frequency, safety and after-care for healthy hair

IF THERE'S one thing women across the world have in common, it’s this: when life calls for a big change, we reach for the scissors... or the box dye.

- VUYILE MADWANTSI

Whether it's a breakup, a new job or a new chapter in life, changing our hair often feels like a way to change our story.

But many of us only learn the hard way that dyeing your hair comes with rules. Not following them can lead to unwanted damage, often before you notice.

In this guide, you'll learn how often you can safely dye your hair, how different hair textures respond to colour, and which steps keep your hair healthy no matter what shade you try next.

So... can dye really damage your hair? Yes and no.

Professional hairstylist Brynn Marie (@brynnmariehair) explains on Instagram that colour can absolutely cause damage, especially when it's done too often or by someone who doesn’t understand hair chemistry.

Ingredients like ammonia and hydrogen peroxide lift your cuticle to change your colour, but that also means they can weaken your hair, causing:

• Dryness.

• Breakage.

• Dullness.

• A sensitive or irritated scalp.

But does that mean your hair will fall out the second you colour it? Not at all.

Brynn says the real key is using a trained stylist, high-quality products, and spacing out your colour appointments. When these three things come together, your hair should still look healthy and beautiful.

How often can you dye your hair safely?

It depends on the type of dye you choose.

1. Permanent dye

This is the strongest and most damaging option because it uses both ammonia and peroxide.