QuestionClaire
I am a 53 year old guy with most of my hair but its thinning. It used to be dark blond but is now a mousey dull gray/white.
I thought I would color it white by myself but the only thing on the shelves close was 'Garnier 100% color D01 Bleach'.
I did it myself it went from red to a not bad very light almost white blonde I can live with. Besides I have fairly short hair and I wear a hat so no worries about what people say.
It looks pretty good now and my hair actually feels thicker-it was quite fine and wispy.
But I am concerned now that the procedure might have damaged my hair/scalp?
It stung quite a bit when I first put it on.
Will my hair and scalp recover? Should I keep shampooing conditioning daily? Or maybe give it a break for a couple days to get the natural oils going? Should I rub some cream into the scalp or take some kind of vitamin or herb?
Sure I am paranoid but I want to hang onto my hair!
My brother is making me paranoid as he had a friend whose hair fell out after he bleached it. He's probably pulling my leg but....
Thanks and Merry Xmas!
AnswerHi Bud, thanks for your question.
Please let me start by saying I'm not a hairdresser and it might be worth searching the site again to ask someone who is qualified to make absolutely sure but from what I know of hair products I believe the following to be true:
I don't think any bleach will cause your hair to fall out and not grow again. I have seen instances where hair has snapped off after some extreme interference with hair products but that was above the root so it grew back. However that wasn't one session of using an off-the-shelf product that was months and months of misusing products inappropriately.
I believe that no product on Canadian shop shelves, if the instructions are followed, should make your hair fall out. People would be taking them to court otherwise.
Bleach isn't the very best thing for hair as far as condition of the hair above the root is concerned and I know you said that it stung a little when you first applied the product but unless you experienced severe burning on your scalp I honestly wouldn't be too concerned because the root, where the hair grows, is below the skin surface. The hair above the root is dead cells so it's easily damaged but the root is living and, unless you are pulling your hair out by its root, which you aren't, I can't see that the root itself can be damaged by what you have done.
I don't think not washing or conditioning would help or hinder. Conditioner nourishes hair but it doesn't enhance hair growth or prevent it. As far as I know the hair loss that your brother describes is hormonal rather than being triggered by what you do externally.
I hope that helps but please just check with a hairdresser to put your mind entirely at rest and then tell your brother he's just jealous of your lovely hair hahha!!!
I wish you a really happy Christmas too Bud,
Take care of yourself, Claire
