Is my hairdresser damaging my hair?

[PinkPeony16]

Background: I used to have fairly long hair (just below back bra band) and it was in good condition, despite having blonde highlights. It was never the thickest but it wasn’t thin/fine either. I had the same hairdresser for a long time.

About 2 years ago, I moved house and, in turn, changed my hairdresser to one close by. She is lovely, seems really knowledgeable and isn’t cheap by any means but I don’t mind if I like it. I still get the same service - highlights every 4 months or so.

However, since the change in stylist, my hair has never been in worse condition. Over the last 2 years, the damage is just out of control and my hair is now shoulder length due to the damage. The thickness has reduced massively too, I’m assuming as strands are breaking off quite high up.

I don’t do anything differently to before. I try to eat as well as I can, drink lots of water etc. I think I use good products, use oils, minimal heat, silk pillowcase etc. In fact, I’ve been extra cautious as my hair has started breaking - swapping to a filtered shower head, more hair masks etc.

Has anyone else experienced similar? Is it possible that my new hairdresser is using products which don’t agree with my hair? Or something else?

Mmm you could get some bloods, get thyroid tested. You haven't stated your age.

Sometimes hair just needs a rest from chemicals especially long hair.

Id be back at the old one and see if it helped. She can maybe see if it’s bleach damage or something.

Over half my hair fell out from the root die to menopause.

Could it be a difference in water hardness in the area that you’ve moved to?

Was just about to suggest water hardness!

This actually happened me. Changed hairdressers and like you after two years my hair was in a terrible state and the shortest it had been in years. Hairdresser recommended olaplex which made it worse.

After Covid I found a new hairdresser and my hair is in much better condition now. What I did notice is my previous hairdresser was lightening my hair each time I went and was leaving the colour on for a long time. I never really knew what shade of blonde I was going to get. It actually ended up quite grey.

Try another hairdresser as ask them to have a look. Could be water, could be products. Perimenopause totally wrecked my hair for just no reason than it could.

I wouldn't keep going back to the same place.

I had the same issue a few years ago, hair a similar length, had to ch age hairdressers and it was absolutely FRIED-I had to have a fringe cut in it was so bad

Sounds like breakage due to over-processing.

what % volume does your hairdresser use and how long does she leave it in (and what's your base colour?)

It sounds like she's overlapping old bleached hair with more bleach. Are your broken strands about 4" long?

If it's not a water change it's your hairdresser, either her method or the product.

Have you checked what products she uses? How much does her method differ? My hair hates certain makes of colour. Same hairdresser for many years and then I noticed my hair was in worse condition and after about 2 visits (7 weekly) it wasn't improving. The salon had changed supplier and although the manager was adamant it could not be that, it was the only variable in my hair care routine. I knew it was and my hairdresser agreed that my hair was different. I booked into a salon with a different supplier and my hair was back to normal.

How does your hair feel at the roots where there is no colour? I'd lay off the colour for the moment and talk to her when she cuts it next.

Some hairdressers shouldn't be allowed anywhere near a pair of scissors. Go to a different hairdresser to get an opinion of the condition and cut of your hair and take it from there.

Thank you for all your comments. They’re so helpful and reassured me that I’m not going crazy to be questioning the hairdresser.

Just to answer a few of the questions:

• I’m 31, so hopefully too soon for hair changes to be related to the perimenopause.

• The breakage is all over, as far as I can tell. The individual strands are all sorts of different lengths now, some just a couple of inches long at this point.

• I do live in a hard water area definitely, but I always have. I guess it could just be even worse where I am now?

• I’m pretty sure my new hairdresser uses Redken products but I can’t be certain - and you’re right, it might be that it just doesn’t agree with my hair? I’m not sure about % volume used.

I’m going to stop going to this hairdresser completely. I don’t have another appointment booked so I’ll just leave it at that. I’m so annoyed at myself for persisting with them when my hair clearly was going downhill and I knew something was wrong. Its going to be a long time before my hair is anything like it was.

Any hair growth tips would be so welcome.

If you can reduce washing and dry naturally to give your scalp a rest. I had to stop colouring due to sensitive scalp, thinning hair. It recovered. I was so relieved. I found OGX shampoo and conditioner very gentle on my hair.

https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/ogx-argan-oil-of-morocco-shampoo/865734-216867-216868?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19928193315&gbraid=0AAAAADnhuuX5mAwSmWifmS-VN9BhrGnxb&gclid=CjwKCAjwuIbBBhBvEiwAsNypvWLoG4PYwua_GbOWvnDlq35sLyadXs8o22Q0Dc88Sdw_DjLd6dKOtBoCcZAQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I could have written this. I had this issue when my hairdresser who’s kept my bleached hair in beautiful condition went on mat leave. Her cover overlapped the bleach and I end up with breakages and uneven ends. I took a break from the bleach by skipping an appointment and have been intensively using the Redken bleach repair kit- the bright blue one. It obviously can’t make it grow back but it’s smoothing out what is there and it looks much healthier. When my old hairdresser came back, we gave it a good chop which helped again and I’m also aiming for good nutrition and less stress.

Good plan op. London water is particularly hard. Apparently recession hair is in (less colouring so you'll be bang on trend).

I think balayage is good. Doesn't touch the scalp and doesn't need doing as often

Some people find K-18 really helps rebuild the bonds in hair.