Can I DYE My THIN Hair?

Hello!
I also have fine, thin hair. My hair is naturally blond, although I do get highlights. I've actually noticed that it helps make my hair a little less fine due to the bleach making each strand a little bit thicker. My hair doesn't look damaged at all, so if you go to a good colorist I don't think you have anything to worry about. I go to a salon to get it done, not having had the world's best results when trying it on my own (blond can go so, so wrong...). So I'm not precisely sure what it is that he uses on my hair.

I think people who dye their own hair are very brave - I guess if you're doing a single-process color and you are sure of the color you want, you could do it on your own. But I think you may be best off at a salon, at least for the first time. The colorist can tell you a good product to use at home and even show you how, if you're intent on doing your own color at home.

Hi J. - I have read the responses you have received and I think they are all good. I noticed when I had my three kids that my hair got really thick when I was pregnant (taking prenatal vitamins), but did thin out after childbirth while nursing. I agree to ask your doctor, but also try brushing nightly (the old 100 strokes) with a natural bristle brush, especially on top and sides around temples where hair naturally does tend to thin out. Also, I use John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Color Glaze (amber to maple) on the top of my scalp to cover gray hair. It does wash out, but lasts through several shampoos. I also take Andrew Lessman Healthy Hair, Skin and Nails from Home Shopping Network. The container I have will last me through 2009 (I take two daily). I use it faithfully, but when I have run out of it for a couple of months in the past, I have noticed a less full head of hair. Hope this helps - do try and notice: is your hair less full than before you were pregant, or just less full than when you were pregant, and it is actually now returning to its natural state? Good luck and be well. Congratulations on the baby boy...what a joy!

Hi J.,

have you tried henna? I believe it's pretty gentle and doesn't have all those harsh chemicals you find in traditional haircolor. additionally, there is a shampoo called art tec, that once you apply your haircolor, you can then use this shampoo to help keep up the color. it's basically a tinted shampoo.. I have a friend who uses it (she is a redhead) she uses it about every other day or every three days and it pumps up the color.. however, maybe you can try this shampoo BEFORE you even decide to color your hair. if you don't have any grey, it could wk pretty well.. you can find it at most beauty stores..
good luck. (oh and the henna at most health food stores)

There's a new product out called Perfect 10 by Clairol. It's a completely new type of permanent hair color that has only been commercially available since the beginning of the year. The new process is much less damaging than the "traditional" hair color and its permanent unlike loving care. I've been using it since it came out and was stunned at how well it works and how healthy it leaves my hair. I get mine at Target and the cost is about $11. And it only takes 10 min to process.

I would go to a professional, and one that has worked with women with thinning hair. They might also have suggestions as to minerals and supplements that might help with some hair growth. If this isn't something that is hereditary for you, the thinning hair could be a result of vitamin deficiencies due to breastfeeding and being recently pregnant. Most natural food stores have people available to help in their vitamin departments that should be able to give you some suggestions.

Good luck,
H.

J.,

I would contact your doctor and make sure that you don't have any nutritional deficiencies. Then, contact a hairstylist for a professional dye job. I don't want to scare you, but after my son was born I dyed my hair myself and it was absolutely horrendous. Not only did the color not come out, it was several different shades, turned absolutely carrot orange,black, and greyish, I had to go to a salon and have it stripped of the color 9 times and I was there for over 9 hours having it repaired. I ended up losing hair and I have a few areas that never grew back the same way. I had blisters and burns on my head from the chemical stripping which lasted for days. So, please don't do it yourself-- my hormones were still out of wack and caused the reaction in my hair. It was an extremely painful lesson for me and it cost me over 400 dollars to fix.

Molly

How about using Henna? I have a lot of gray but henna covers it just as well as regular dye. And my hair doesn't get that fried look after 2 or 3 weeks. Henna is natural, it coats and nourishes the hair instead of stripping it. The only downside is that there is a small range of colors. You can do some mixing of colors yourself, though.