Are highlights bad for you? It’s a question that’s been on the minds of many looking to revamp their style and add a little color to their locks. While highlights can be a great way to switch up your look, there are some concerns about the potential damage they can cause to your hair. From the chemicals used in the process to the impact on the health of your scalp and hair follicles, there are a few things you should consider before booking your next trip to the salon.
One of the biggest concerns surrounding highlights is the impact they can have on the overall health of your hair. Whether you opt for traditional foil highlights or newer balayage techniques, the use of bleach or other chemicals can cause damage to your hair follicles and scalp. This can lead to breakage, split ends, and even hair loss in some cases. Additionally, frequent highlighting can leave your hair feeling dry and brittle, making it more susceptible to damage from heat styling tools like a curling iron or straightener.
So, what should you do if you’re considering adding highlights to your hair? It’s important to do your research and find a reputable salon with experienced stylists who can help you achieve the look you want while minimizing the potential for damage. Additionally, taking steps to care for your hair at home can help to mitigate some of the negative effects of highlighting. From using a gentle shampoo to minimizing heat styling, taking a thoughtful approach to your hair care routine can help you maintain healthy, beautiful hair with or without highlights.
The Impact of Hair Highlights on Hair Health
Looking to add some dimension to your hair? Hair highlights are a popular way to add some brightness and depth, but are they bad for your hair? The answer is not necessarily straightforward—there are both pros and cons.
- Pros: Highlights can make your hair look healthier, fuller, and more voluminous. They add texture and help to create the illusion of movement, which is especially useful for those with fine or limp hair. Additionally, highlights can cover up gray hairs and give your hair some extra shine.
- Cons: The process of bleaching or lightening the hair to create highlights can cause damage. When the hair is lightened, the cuticle (outer layer) of the hair is lifted, leaving it susceptible to breakage and split ends. The hair may also become dry and prone to tangling. Furthermore, repeated highlighting can weaken the hair over time, making it more brittle and prone to breakage.
If you do decide to go for highlights, it’s important to take care of your hair to minimize damage. Use a deep conditioning treatment once a week to help restore moisture to your hair. Additionally, avoid using heat styling tools as much as possible, and when you do use them, be sure to use a heat protectant spray.
Furthermore, it’s important to choose a reputable hair stylist who has experience creating highlights. They should be knowledgeable about the best techniques and products to use to minimize damage and protect the health of your hair.
| Typical Products Used in Highlighting | Potential Impact on Hair Health |
|---|---|
| Bleach or lightening agents | Can cause dryness, breakage, and split ends |
| Toners | Can help restore hair color and reduce brassiness |
| Color-safe shampoos and conditioners | Can help preserve the color of your highlights and keep your hair healthy |
Overall, highlights can be a fun way to change up your hair color and style, but it’s important to weigh the potential risks and benefits. If you do decide to go for highlights, take care to protect your hair and minimize damage.
Potential harmful chemicals in hair highlighting products
Many hair highlighting products contain potentially harmful chemicals that can harm both your hair and your health. Here are some of the most common chemicals found in hair highlighting products:
- Ammonia: A colorless gas with a sharp, pungent odor that is used in many hair dyes and bleaches. It is corrosive and can irritate the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. Inhaling ammonia fumes can cause coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
- Peroxide: A bleaching agent that is found in many hair dyes. Peroxide can cause skin irritation, redness, and chemical burns if not used properly. It can also dry out and damage hair, making it brittle and prone to breakage.
- Resorcinol: A chemical used in hair dyes to help the color penetrate the hair shaft. Resorcinol can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions. It can also disrupt the endocrine system and has been linked to thyroid problems and other health issues.
Other potentially harmful chemicals found in hair highlighting products include lead acetate, which has been linked to cancer and reproductive issues, and parabens, which can disrupt hormone function and have been linked to breast cancer.
It is important to read the label and be aware of what is in the hair highlighting products you use. Look for products that are free of harmful chemicals and rely on natural ingredients to achieve the desired look. Alternatively, consider using non-permanent hair highlighting options, such as hair chalk or temporary hair color sprays.
Conclusion
While highlights can add a fun and trendy look to your hair, it is important to be aware of the potential risks associated with highlighting products. If you do choose to highlight your hair, make sure to choose products that are free of harmful chemicals and use them according to the instructions. And as always, consult with a trusted hairstylist or health professional if you have any concerns or questions.
The Long-Term Effects of Frequent Hair Highlighting
While hair highlighting is a popular trend that adds dimension and texture to one’s hair, it is not without its downsides. Here are the potential long-term effects of frequent hair highlighting:
Damage to Hair Strands
- Highlighting often involves bleaching the hair, which can weaken the strands and eventually lead to breakage.
- Repeated highlighting can also cause the hair to become dry and brittle, losing its natural shine and elasticity.
- The use of heat styling tools to maintain the highlight color can further damage the hair, leading to split ends and breakage.
Skin Irritation
Frequent hair highlighting can lead to skin irritation, particularly in individuals with sensitive skin. The chemicals used in the highlighting process can cause itching, redness, and inflammation on the scalp, neck, and ears, leading to discomfort and even infection.
Cancer Risk
While the risk is relatively small, it is important to note that the chemicals used in hair highlighting products, such as ammonia and peroxide, have been linked to a higher risk of cancer, particularly bladder cancer and leukemia. The risk is generally higher in individuals who are exposed to these chemicals frequently and for extended periods.
| Cancer type | Risk Level |
|---|---|
| Bladder Cancer | Low to Moderate |
| Leukemia | Low to Moderate |
While it may be tempting to keep up with the latest hair highlighting trends, it is important to understand the potential long-term effects. To minimize damage to your hair and health, consider alternative hair coloring methods, such as natural hair dyes, or lengthening the time between highlighting appointments to give your hair a break.
How to Minimize Damage When Getting Hair Highlights
Getting hair highlights is a great way to add dimension and brightness to your hair, but the process of highlighting hair can be damaging if not done properly. Here are some tips to help you minimize damage and keep your hair healthy:
- Choose a Professional: When it comes to coloring your hair, it’s always best to leave it to the professionals. They have the knowledge and expertise to choose the right products and techniques that will minimize damage to your hair. DIY hair coloring kits may seem convenient, but they can cause more harm than good.
- Use High-Quality Products: If you’re getting your hair highlighted at a salon, make sure that they’re using high-quality products. This may cost a little more, but it’s worth it in the long run. Cheap products can cause damage to your hair, leaving it dry, brittle, and prone to breakage.
- Deep Condition Your Hair: Before and after getting your hair highlighted, it’s important to deep condition your hair. This will help to strengthen and moisturize your hair, leaving it healthy and shiny. Look for products that contain natural ingredients like avocado, coconut oil, and shea butter.
When getting highlights, there are also some techniques that your stylist can use to minimize damage:
- Balayage: Balayage is a technique where the stylist paints the highlights onto your hair by hand, rather than using foils. This technique is less damaging to your hair, as it doesn’t require heat or excessive pulling.
- Low-Light: If your hair is already damaged or you’re concerned about the effects of highlighting, you can opt for low-light instead. Low-light is a technique where darker colors are added to your hair, giving it depth and dimension without damaging it.
- Don’t Overdo It: When getting highlights, it’s important not to overdo it. Too many highlights can cause damage and breakage, leaving your hair looking thin and frizzy. Work with your stylist to determine the right amount of highlights for your hair type and length.
| Product | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Argan oil | Provides moisture and prevents breakage |
| Keratin treatments | Smooths out frizz and strengthens hair |
| Protein treatments | Repairs damage and adds strength to hair |
By following these tips and techniques, you can minimize the damage that highlighting your hair can cause. Remember to always go to a professional for hair coloring services and to use high-quality products to keep your hair looking healthy and beautiful.
Alternatives to traditional hair highlights that are safer for your hair
While hair highlights may give your hair a beautiful sun-kissed look, the process of highlighting your hair with traditional methods can be damaging to your hair. The good news is that you don’t have to sacrifice the health of your hair for a new look. Here are some alternative methods that you can try:
- Balayage: This is a freehand technique that allows for a more natural, sun-kissed look. Instead of traditional foiling, the colorist paints the color onto your hair, resulting in a less harsh and more seamless transition. Balayage also has the added benefit of requiring less maintenance since it doesn’t create a harsh line of demarcation as your hair grows out.
- Babylights: Babylights are very fine highlights that mimic the natural highlights that occur when hair is naturally lightened by the sun. This technique creates a subtle, soft look that is perfect for those who want a gentler change.
- Ombre: This technique involves creating a gradual transition from darker roots to lighter ends. The ombre technique creates a beautiful, natural-looking gradient that can be tailored to your desired length and intensity. Ombre also has the added benefit of requiring less maintenance than traditional highlights.
Another alternative to traditional highlights is to use henna, a natural hair dye made from the leaves of the henna plant. Henna is a great option if you are looking for a safe and natural way to add color to your hair.
If you are going to dye your hair, it is important to use products that are gentle and nourishing. Look for products that are free from harsh chemicals, such as ammonia and peroxide, which can damage your hair and cause it to become dry and brittle.
| Product | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector | Repairs and strengthens hair, prevents breakage, and restores damaged hair. |
| Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie | Provides hydration and nourishment to dry, damaged hair, defines curls, and eliminates frizz. |
| Moroccanoil Treatment | Restores shine and elasticity, detangles hair, and reduces drying time. |
With these alternatives and tips for safer hair dyeing, you can enjoy a new look without sacrificing the health of your hair.
Tips for maintaining healthy hair after getting highlights
Getting highlights can make your hair look fabulous and add some color to your style, but it can also damage your hair if not properly taken care of. Here are some tips for maintaining healthy hair after getting highlights:
- Use a gentle shampoo and conditioner
- Apply a hair mask once a week
- Avoid overusing heat styling tools
When choosing a shampoo and conditioner, look for a product that is sulfate-free and specifically designed for color-treated hair. Sulfates can strip the color from your hair and leave it looking dull and lifeless. A gentle shampoo and conditioner will help to maintain the vibrancy of your highlights.
Applying a hair mask once a week will help to hydrate and nourish your hair. Look for a product that contains ingredients like argan oil or coconut oil to help nourish your strands.
Heat styling tools like flat irons and curling irons can damage your hair, especially if you use them too much. Try to limit your use of heat styling tools and when you do use them, use a heat protectant spray to help prevent damage.
Here is a table that summarizes the tips:
| Tip | Description |
|---|---|
| Use a gentle shampoo and conditioner | Look for a sulfate-free, color-treated hair product |
| Apply a hair mask once a week | Use a product with nourishing ingredients like argan oil or coconut oil |
| Avoid overusing heat styling tools | Limit your use of heat styling tools and use a heat protectant spray |
By following these tips, you can help to maintain the health and vibrancy of your hair after getting highlights. Remember to also schedule regular trims to help remove any damaged ends and keep your hair looking healthy and fresh.
Professional hair care recommendations for highlighted hair
Highlighting your hair can add dimension and depth to your natural color, but it also requires extra care to maintain its health and radiance. Here are some professional hair care recommendations for highlighted hair:
- Use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner to prevent fading of the highlights. Sulfates can strip the natural oils from your hair, which can cause the color to fade faster. Consider investing in a color-safe shampoo and conditioner that is available in your salon.
- Deep condition your hair once a week to hydrate it and protect its health. Look for a product that is specifically designed for colored hair to reap the full benefits.
- Avoid excessive heat styling, as it can dehydrate and damage your highlighted hair, making it dull and lifeless. Use heat-protectant products and opt for air-drying when possible. If you must use heat, adjust the temperature of your styling tool to a low or medium setting.
Additionally, it is essential to consult your stylist for further guidance on maintaining your highlighted hair’s color, health, and shine. Here is a table of recommended products that can help maintain your highlighted hair:
| Products | Description |
|---|---|
| Color-safe shampoo and conditioner | Helps maintain your hair color and protects it from fading. |
| Deep-conditioning mask | Hydrates and nourishes your hair, keeping it smooth and shiny. |
| Leave-in conditioner | Provides additional moisture and protection, particularly if you frequently style your hair. |
| Heat-protectant spray | Prevents heat damage to your hair when using a styling tool. |
Overall, taking care of highlighted hair requires a combination of gentle cleansing, hydrating treatments, and low-heat styling. By following these tips and using the recommended products, you can keep your hair looking healthy and radiant for weeks, if not months, after your salon appointment.
FAQs about Are Highlights Bad for You
Q: Will getting hair highlights damage my hair?
A: Highlights can cause damage to your hair if not applied properly, but it depends on the type of highlights you choose and the condition of your hair.
Q: Can getting highlights cause hair loss?
A: It is not common for highlights to cause hair loss, but if the bleach used during the process is left on for too long, it can cause damage to the hair follicles.
Q: Can highlights cause my hair to become brittle and dry?
A: Yes, highlights can cause dryness and brittleness in your hair if not properly moisturized and conditioned.
Q: Can highlights cause scalp irritation or allergies?
A: It is possible for some people to develop an allergic reaction or scalp irritation due to the chemicals used during the highlighting process.
Q: Is it safe to get highlights during pregnancy?
A: It is generally not recommended to get any hair treatments during pregnancy, including highlights, due to the chemicals used during the process.
Q: How often should I get touch-ups for my highlights?
A: It is recommended to get touch-ups every 6-8 weeks to maintain the appearance of your highlights and keep your hair healthy.
Q: Can highlights cause brassy tones in my hair?
A: Yes, highlights can cause brassy tones in your hair if the bleach or toner used is not properly applied or maintained.
Closing Thoughts
If you’re considering getting highlights, it’s important to know the potential risks and care for your hair properly. While they can cause damage and dryness if not done correctly, highlights can also be a fun and stylish way to change up your hair. Thank you for reading this article and we hope to see you again soon!