Do highlights damage hair?

Author: Prof. Fae Jacobson  |  Last update: Monday, April 14, 2025

Because any type of highlights involve lightening the hair, there is a potential for some damage. The pros are not only trained how to use the color properly in order to minimize this damage, but can also incorporate strengthening treatments to help maintain the health and integrity of the hair.

Is highlighting bad for your hair?

Hair Damage: Repeated highlighting, especially with bleach, can lead to long-term damage, including split ends and breakage. The hair's natural texture can also be altered. Chemical Build-Up: Continuous use of hair dyes can lead to a build-up of chemicals in the hair, which may require clarifying treatments to remove.

What is the least damaging way to highlight your hair?

Baby highlights or money pieces are two approaches that only bleach small portions of your hair. Faye adds, “Balayage is a great technique to consider that uses bleach painting on the surface of the hair, not penetrating as deep into the hair cuticle which creates less opportunity for damage.”

Does hair get damaged after highlights?

Yes, getting highlights can potentially damage your hair. The process involves using bleach or lightening agents to lift your hair color, which can weaken the hair structure, leading to dryness, brittleness, and breakage. Here are some factors to consider:

What is more damaging, highlights or color?

Another thing to consider is the cost. In most salons, single-process color is cheaper than highlights. Additionally, single-color tends to be gentler on your hair than highlights. The bleach used in highlight formulas can cause damage, particularly if you have them done often, or use other chemical hair treatments.

Watch This Before Getting Highlights

Should you give your hair a break from highlights?

Overprocessing your hair by applying highlights too frequently without allowing enough time for the hair to recover can lead to cumulative damage. It's crucial to give your hair a break between coloring sessions to restore its strength and vitality.

Which highlight does not damage hair?

If you've ever hesitated to color your hair for fear of damage, SmartBond is the answer to your prayers. It's possible to actually improve your hair's strength by coloring it with L'Oréal's new products. For highlight fans, this product is a miracle.

Why is my hair thinning after highlights?

This reaction happens because bleached hair generally feels thinner. After all, it has lost its lipids, fatty acids, and keratin protein, giving it structure, strength, and elasticity. Many people may experience temporary hair loss after bleaching.

Are highlights bad for fine hair?

If you have fine hair, bleaching or lightening can cause damage because of its delicate structure.

Does your hair go back to normal after highlights?

In a few months, your highlights will gradually grow out and you will be left with a much healthier mane in your natural hue. Easy, right? If your highlights start at the top of your scalp or you simply don't have the patience to grow them out, you do have another option.

Do highlights cause thinning hair?

Can Hair Dye Cause Hair Loss? Hair dye cannot penetrate the scalp and reach the follicle where the hair grows. Therefore, hair dye cannot and does not cause hair loss, but it can precipitate hair breakage. Most people who dye their hair use permanent hair color because it lasts longer.

What hair color doesn't damage hair?

Opt for hair dyes made with natural colorants like henna, indigo, cassia, beetroot, coffee, and other plant-derived ingredients. These natural hair dye options allow you to color your hair without harsh chemicals like ammonia, PPD, resorcinol, and peroxide commonly found in conventional dyes.

Is there a healthy way to highlight your hair?

Sun Exposure. Harnessing the power of the sun is another natural way to lighten and highlight hair. Spending time in the sun can gradually lighten hair, creating a natural, sun-kissed look.

How do I highlight my hair without damaging it?

One of the most effective ways to minimize damage while sweeping on highlights is by using a lightener with a bond-building treatment built in, like BlondorPlex Opens in a new tab.

What is the most damaging thing to your hair?

10 things that are destroying your hair without you even knowing
  1. Hidden chemicals in your hair products. ...
  2. Excessive heat styling. ...
  3. Skipping out on the heat protectant. ...
  4. Brushing your hair when wet. ...
  5. Using the wrong kind of shampoo and conditioner. ...
  6. Towel drying your hair. ...
  7. Washing your hair every day. ...
  8. Sleeping on a cotton pillowcase.

What is the disadvantage of highlighting?

Passive study strategies such as highlighting are so “superficial,” they may impair long-term retention, says Mirjam Ebersbach, a psychology professor at the University of Kassel.

Can highlights ruin your hair?

Many hair treatments can cause hair damage, and highlighting is no exception. As with most other coloring options, highlights can have some negative consequences for the health of your hair. The extent of the damage can depend on several things: How much of a change you make?

What hair color is best to hide thinning hair?

Brightened-up colors, such as golden blonde, can work wonders when applied to the money pieces around your face. Likewise, rich colors—like chestnut or caramel brown—can create a shadow effect throughout that feigns depth and thickness.

What are the cons of getting highlights?

The downside of highlights is that they do require more maintenance since they give off a much more dramatic and bold appearance. In order to maintain that just-came-from-the-salon look, it is important to have your highlights touched up more frequently so your hair will stay looking fresh and vibrant.

Why is my hair so damaged after highlights?

Frequent highlighting or touch-ups with bleach in a short time is stressful for your hair anyway. It will make your hair dry and your hair may even break off. Sometimes it can even change your hair structure completely by breaking down certain bonds in your hair.

Are highlights OK for thin hair?

“When dealing with a client who has fine or thinning hair, I always recommend adding a deeper root with just a few highlights, which helps hair look fuller and thicker — especially at the roots where you want some volume,” celebrity colorist Erick Orellana explained.

How long does it take for your hair to grow out after highlights?

All highlights will grow out at the same rate, with root regrowth usually becoming noticeable after about 6-8 weeks. But you also have to consider fading, and some shades will lose their vibrancy faster than others.

Do I need a full head of highlights every time?

That being said, highlights only require top-ups every 6-8 weeks, and it is very easy to switch from getting half heads to full heads and vice versa. It all comes down to your hair goals, so have a good think about what look you want.

What to avoid with highlights?

Avoid using strong shampoos such as clarifying shampoos as they could remove the dye pigments from the hair. Avoid using too much hairspray, as it could damage the highlights.

What hair color damages the most?

Comparing Permanent, Semi-Permanent, and Demi-Permanent Hair Dyes. Permanent hair color has the greatest potential for hair damage due to the chemistry involved and should be done most cautiously. Ammonia and hydrogen peroxide combine to open up the hair's cuticle to reach the internal structure and make a color change ...

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