Is Safe to Relax and Dye Your Hair in Menopause?

During perimenopause and menopause, it’s very common to start noticing grey hairs appearing, whether that’s just a few strands (lucky you!) or even more.

When you look in the mirror, you may have mixed feelings.

You might hate what you see, feel like you’re ageing far too quickly and want to conceal them so you can continue to feel youthful.

On the other hand, you may want to join the growing number of women who want to grow old gracefully, allowing these natural changes to happen and embrace this new phase of your life.

As Jennifer Anniston famously said in Women’s Health magazine;

'If you want to go grey, go for it! If you want to keep colouring your hair, that’s great too. I think everyone should feel confident in whatever choices they make, including embracing natural colour or texture. Hair is a creative way to express yourself, and I love that your mood and energy can change with the change of a hairstyle, cut, or colour. Embrace what is going to make you happy.'

This is exactly what I believe too. 🥰

Ultimately, the decision about whether to go natural is personal. You need to weigh up the potential benefits and drawbacks for yourself.

However, I want you to know that there are several factors you should take into consideration first…

Why do we dye or relax our hair in the first place?

Women of all races often choose to dye or relax their hair for reasons including self-expression, personal style or the fact that they are seeing those grey hairs appearing and want to retain their youthful looks.

Society’s expectations also play a huge role in what we choose to do with our appearance.

For many years, society has had a narrow definition of beauty, often suggesting that grey hair is a sign of old age and that older women who dye their hair are trying to appear younger than they are.

Worse still, black women are expected to conform to Eurocentric beauty standards that prioritise straight hair, a look often achieved through chemical hair relaxers.

As a result, women who embrace their natural hair colour texture may face discrimination and bias in their personal and professional lives.

Of course, what we choose to do with our hair can also affect our self-confidence. We all want to look as attractive and youthful as possible and often believe what society tells us- that grey hair natural hair texture is undesirable.

However, deciding to dye or relax your hair is ultimately a personal choice and should not be influenced by societal biases or expectations.

What are the problems with hair relaxers and hair dyes?

Unfortunately, the decision whether to relax or dye your hair isn’t straightforward because it doesn’t only affect our appearance but also has an impact on our health.

Hair dyes and relaxers contain chemicals that can worsen our menopause symptoms and also leave us more vulnerable to health problems.

These chemicals can enter the bloodstream through the scalp, causing the liver to work even harder in an attempt to get rid of them. It can become overwhelmed, leading to a buildup of toxins in the body and can lead to oestrogen dominance (an imbalance of oestrogen and progesterone that can cause numerous health problems).

Let me go into more detail:

Hormone-disrupting chemicals

Chemical hair relaxers and dyes can contain hormone-disrupting chemicals, such as phthalates and parabens, which can interfere with the body's natural hormone balance. This can lead to various health problems, including reproductive issues, thyroid dysfunction, and an increased risk of breast cancer.

Allergic reactions

Hair relaxers and hair dyes can contain chemicals that can cause allergic reactions such as itching, burning, and redness on the scalp. Severe allergic reactions can cause swelling, hives, and even difficulty breathing. They can cause skin irritation, especially if they come into contact with the scalp leading to itching, redness, and even chemical burns.

Harsh on the hair

Chemical hair relaxers and hair dyes can be harsh on the hair, especially if they contain ammonia, peroxide, p-phenylenediamine, or other harsh chemicals. These can cause breakage, split ends, dryness, thinning hair and hair loss over time.

Toxins

Finally, chemical hair relaxers and hair dyes contain toxins that can be absorbed through the scalp and bloodstream and impact the liver's ability to detoxify oestrogen, leading to oestrogen buildup in the body, causing hormone imbalances and worsening symptoms of perimenopause and menopause.

What is the alternative?

Given the above, it can be hard to decide which is the right option for you. Here are some tips;

• Consider how you feel

Why do you want to relax or dye your hair? Are you trying to fit in with society’s expectations or avoid discrimination? Or do you want to look younger and more confident? If so, are you doing it for yourself or for others?

• Choose to dye your hair at home

If you really want to dye your hair, I recommend that you choose a home dye that is gentle on your hair and scalp and contains lower levels of those harmful chemicals.

• Get liver support

Whether you choose to dye or relax your hair or not, I recommend that you learn to support your liver so you can ensure you stay healthy and enjoy a smooth menopause transition.

In my popular Flourish & Thrive online programme I teach you to do exactly that.

Now, the decision is up to you. Having said that, I believe that choosing to embrace your natural hair is a powerful act of self-love and self-expression, regardless of the discrimination and bias that may still exist in the world.