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Permalink Reply by Rose Marie' on August 5, 2013 at 5:10pm

Hi

I believe you can dye your regrowth but I think there may be difficulty with texture difference from your regrowth and your existing hair. I would talk to a professional about this as your regrowth may react differently (possibly not take the colour well). If you are ok with that I can't see there being any problems.

Rosy

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Permalink Reply by Liana m on August 7, 2013 at 1:01pm

I personally wouldnt reccomend dying the white hairs because they are called vellus hairs and they are not terminal. Also, considering that you have Alopecia your hair is already unstable and dying it could make it worse.

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Permalink Reply by Rose Marie' on August 7, 2013 at 5:14pm

Hi Liana

I sort of feel unless Carl has an allergy to the dye being used it will not cause his alopecia top worsen (he could always do a little patch test). Alopecia is an auto immune disease (and yes somethings can exacerbate it...but nobody really knows what). I don't believe dying will cause alopecia, that has already arrived.

Rosy

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Permalink Reply by Liana m on August 7, 2013 at 5:27pm

Yes, however those small blonde hair are vellus hair and are produced on a different layer or area of the follicle and are not attacked. New studies show that alopecia areata attacks the pigmented area of the hair. That being said, those hair will (hopefully) turn into terminal hairs which are pigmented so there is no need to dye those hair and if they were dyed the most likely would not pick up the pigment because for hair to pick up pigment it needs orignial pigment which vellus hair do not have. Dying those hairs could do worse for those hairs!

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Permalink Reply by Rose Marie' on August 7, 2013 at 9:32pm

The thing is whether it will work or not. How do you think it will hurt the hair and what makes you think it will cause harm. I want to understand for me as well.
I understand the difference between terminal hair and vellus hair...my daughters hair always comes back as vellus and then turns into terminal hair. She has regrown her hair 6 times in the last 10 years.

Another thing that might help could be some of the colour powders used for thinning hair... this may adhere to the vellus hair and not be permanent.

Rosy :)

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Permalink Reply by Liana m on August 7, 2013 at 11:10pm

It could harm them by possibly irritating that scalp causing a reaction, fall out easier, cause damage (somewhat like over processed hair because they are so fine they could break easier?!). I think applying those powders is a great idea though !

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Permalink Reply by Carl on August 8, 2013 at 6:40am

Thanks Rosie and Liana. As always with alopecia there doesent seem to be a straightforward answer, but I think this is an interesting subject and I really appreciate your input. Im heading for a job interview in around 10 days and wanted to do something that might help avoid a few awkward questions. However I dont think I will try anything in case I end up making things worse. best to play safe I feel. My wife had a play around with her mascara brush and managed to darken my eyebrow hairs very slightly. It was very subtle but made a huge difference. It made me realise that its my lack of eyebrows that gives me the "ill, haunted" look that Im trying to lose for a day.
I have around 50% vellus and 50% terminal hair. A big improvement from this time last year and I would hate to do anything that may halt or reverse my re-growth.

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Permalink Reply by Rose Marie' on August 8, 2013 at 6:02pm

Good luck with your job interview, always a nerve wracking process, but I'm sure you will go well!

Rosy

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Permalink Reply by Mollygirl on October 13, 2018 at 9:24am

Hi all, 

I have AA and my hair comes in as thin white hair. Some areas it only seems to grow an inch or so but it's hair! I've dyed it twice now and haven't had any ill effects from it. The first time the hair color didn't last very long, maybe 3 weeks before it started to fade but the second time it lasted over a month and took much better. I'm blonde naturally and with the white hair, my scalp really shows through so I have it colored a little darker than my natural color and it makes it look like I have a full head of hair, thin but still covers the scalp. (my hairdresser is wonderful!) 

I may be taking a chance but it gives me such a boost that my anxiety reduces and maybe in the end that is what is really going to help this condition to calm down. I haven't had any new bald patches in over a month now... so who knows? BTW - I am hesitant to use a box color so I would suggest only having a professional do the coloring if you decide to go ahead and try it. Best of luck to you all!  

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