Help with damaged hair!

Right, there's a lot to unpackage here, so bear with me.

Anyway the point is of late I have noticed that my hair has begun breaking off in places, which I am assuming is a result of the bleaching rather than the dye.

It's actually very likely a result of both. That and the "strippers" you used, depending on which you used, what were they, you never actually said? But going from black, to red (especially if you bleached heavily) and back to black is very, very harsh. It also depends on what you did for the maintenance of the red. How much was bleached when you had the roots done? Was it just the roots? When you do the black, do you just do the roots or put it all over?

1. Can excessive or continuous dying cause hair to thin and/or break off from the root? If yes, does this mean that it will come back to the life it had before if I just let it all grow out?

It can cause hair to break. It can cause hair to break at the root. BUT, that's only when you've caused extensive damage at the root, but it's definitely possible, but you'd almost certainly know if you'd done that as you'd have chunks of very short hair and/or bits sticking up all over the place. If you really do think it's coming out at the root, it's likely medical or genetic. If it's that, then you need to see a doctor or specialist.

2. Is there anything I can do to help regenerate the hair?

It depends on the cause. If it's breakage, no. Just let it regrow and treat it kindly. This doesn't mean you have to stop dying, you just have to be sensible about it.

If it's medical you need to see a doc or specialist. You might be one of the lucky ones that can use the shampoos that help with thinning hair (don't just buy an off the shelf one though).

Also I have bought some special leave-in conditioner but I wonder if these are doing little other than emptying my purse.

What is it? You might need protein. Or you might need less protein. How does it feel when it's wet? Does it tangle easily? Is it very elastic? Does a strand break when you pull gently or does it require more force?

Also I am aware I need to keep getting my hair cut but how often should I do this while it is in this condition? I am terrible at hair cuts (tend to get it done once every 1.5 years) so will this be causing my hair damage?

It could be. Is your hair prone to split ends? Damage does tend travel up the hair shaft, so yes, this could be bad. But it depends on where the worst of the damage is. A short cut would be the ultimate solution if it is damage.

3. Once all my dye-damaged hair has grown out will I be good to go again? I like black. I don't want to be mousy brown with flecks of grey for the rest of my life.

If it's damage, yes. If it's medical no, you need to sort out the underlying issue. Honestly, it's most likely damage.

But you don't have to stop dying. Just dye your roots black and grow out the rest. Preferably get a good amount cut off. It doesn't have to be short, but it would be the best solution.

P.S - All the black dye I have done myself using those standard box ones you buy from Boots/Superdrug etc.

If you've been using them all over bleached hair several times, this would almost certainly be the cause. These dyes have stupidly high volume of peroxide where they don't really need to, just to make sure they work on everyone, even on people with resistant hair. If you have fine hair, these are really harsh and damage builds up and can never be fixed permanently.

Ok, answer as much of that as you can (I know it's a lot, but you opened up a whole tone of other questions with what you asked!) and then we can try and help further. My gut feeling is, it's damage pure and simple. But I'm not ruling out a medical issue.

It will be best to cut all the damaged areas off, then find a gentler way to colour your hair.
If you must use oxidative dyes go for a professional quality demi rather than a box dye. Alternatively you could look at Henna/indigo which is totally non-damaging (but very permanent)

Right, there's a lot to unpackage here, so bear with me.

Thank you for taking the time to respond with so much depth!

It's actually very likely a result of both. That and the "strippers" you used, depending on which you used, what were they, you never actually said? But going from black, to red (especially if you bleached heavily) and back to black is very, very harsh. It also depends on what you did for the maintenance of the red. How much was bleached when you had the roots done? Was it just the roots? When you do the black, do you just do the roots or put it all over?

The strippers I used were the boxed ones 'Colour B4' from Boots.

When I went to have my roots done it was just the roots that that were bleached - but this was after being bleached all over (to remove the black) for about 3 visits.

When I do the black, I do the roots first and leave that in for a bit (30 mins or so), then finish off with the mid-lengths and ends for the last 5-10 mins.

It can cause hair to break. It can cause hair to break at the root. BUT, that's only when you've caused extensive damage at the root, but it's definitely possible, but you'd almost certainly know if you'd done that as you'd have chunks of very short hair and/or bits sticking up all over the place. If you really do think it's coming out at the root, it's likely medical or genetic. If it's that, then you need to see a doctor or specialist.

I do have sections of hair much shorter than other sections of hair which have clearly broken off so I don't think it's anything medical. When I stick my hair up in a ponytail, I have a huge section of hair at the back which doesn't reach up anymore and this wasn't the case before. My hair has definitely thinned, but I am guessing this is just because a lot of it is missing from the mid-lengths to ends?

It depends on the cause. If it's breakage, no. Just let it regrow and treat it kindly. This doesn't mean you have to stop dying, you just have to be sensible about it.

What does 'treat it kindly' entail? I have done some googling, and there are people saying use olive oil, coconut oil, argan oil, even mayonnaise, avocado and eggs? Haha. It's a minefield. Despite having dyed my hair for yonks, I know very little about hair. So just lay off the blow dryer, don't wash it too often, that sort of thing?

What is it? You might need protein. Or you might need less protein. How does it feel when it's wet? Does it tangle easily? Is it very elastic? Does a strand break when you pull gently or does it require more force?

I bought a Dove intensive repair conditioner. The one for extremely damaged hair - it comes in a little round tub and you're supposed to put it in and leave it for five minutes before washing it out. It smells nice but beyond that I am failing to see any real difference. When my hair is wet it tangles very easily and I don't need to use much force to break off a strand.

It could be. Is your hair prone to split ends? Damage does tend travel up the hair shaft, so yes, this could be bad. But it depends on where the worst of the damage is. A short cut would be the ultimate solution if it is damage.

Yes my hair has always been prone to split ends - and I know I should get it cut more often. I just wondered how often is often enough for somebody with fine hair that splits easily? I have been advised everything from once a month to twice a year.

If you've been using them all over bleached hair several times, this would almost certainly be the cause. These dyes have stupidly high volume of peroxide where they don't really need to, just to make sure they work on everyone, even on people with resistant hair. If you have fine hair, these are really harsh and damage builds up and can never be fixed permanently.

I did wonder if the chemicals in the boxed dyes were potentially a cause. Do you have any suggestions for dyes that don't contain such harsh chemicals but that also won't stain my skin, fingernails, shower, towels, pillows, gym kit (from sweat), the dog and everything else? I did try using a less permanent black (directions again) and rather annoyingly it stained everything in the house black but left my hair with a green hue!

Thanks again for taking the time to help.

It will be best to cut all the damaged areas off, then find a gentler way to colour your hair.
If you must use oxidative dyes go for a professional quality demi rather than a box dye. Alternatively you could look at Henna/indigo which is totally non-damaging (but very permanent)

Yes I do need to get my butt into the hairdresser sharpish for a cut. I am well overdue and to get off all the broken bits it'll probably mean a cut above my shoulders which I am dreading. I am broad-shouldered so short hair just makes me looks like a hammer-throw Olympian  😀

What would be a professional quality demi dye? Sorry but I am not particularly well versed in hair dyes. I have tended to stick with the same kinds pretty much for about 20 years.

Moderator combined posts, please do not double post

Hair that is prone to split ends really should be cut more often than others. Every couple of months would be best, but I'd aim for at least 4 times a year while it's still damaged. Though, as I and wicked pixie said, you really should get all the damaged areas cut off.

I need to know about the elasticity of your hair though, you didn't answer that bit. How does it feel when it's wet, how does it break etc etc?

A professional dye is the way to go. Then you can use a low volume peroxide. Also, avoid putting over the rest of your hair unless it's faded a lot.

I don't have time to say anything else right now, I'm late for the post office!

I need to know about the elasticity of your hair though, you didn't answer that bit. How does it feel when it's wet, how does it break etc etc?

Its kinda stringy when wet - like the hair will stretch and then break when brushing. I also comb my hair a lot with my fingers (habit). I know it is extremely dry because it will stick out if I pull it instead of just falling back into place.

A professional dye is the way to go. Then you can use a low volume peroxide. Also, avoid putting over the rest of your hair unless it's faded a lot.

Can this be bought and done at home, or will it require salons?

I will definitely get a cut booked asap and will make a concerted effort to get a cut every 2 months.

Hopefully my ramblings have not caused you to miss the post office.

You can buy professional quality dyes and separate peroxide (developer) at a salon supply shop (such as Sallys) or online. They are the same products your stylist would use, so far higher quality and much more consistent than box dyes.

You can buy professional quality dyes and separate peroxide (developer) at a salon supply shop (such as Sallys) or online. They are the same products your stylist would use, so far higher quality and much more consistent than box dyes.

But isn't it the peroxide that's damaging my hair?

Yes, but with a good demi you can use a much lower level of peroxide.
Remember that chemical damage is cumulative, it is repeated dyeing that causes the damage.
Direct dyes will not get grey hair to a black shade. Henna/indigo is the only non damaging way to get black.

Henna/indigo is the only non damaging way to get black.

If there is any way I can get black without using chemicals I'll happily do that!

Is there a catch? There's gotta be a catch ;D It sounds too good to be true.

Well, everything is chemicals...

but ok, I get what you mean, I just really hate chemicals used as a word for anything "bad".

But peroxide isn't bad anyway. You just need to use it sensibly and you'll have hardly any damage.

As wicked pixie says, henna/indogo is the only is the only without damage. The catch is, it's next to impossible to reverse. You have to weight up the advantages and disadvantages.