Exploration Of Hair Color
Although nothing is as good as maintaining your natural hair, however, not everyone has ashy blondes, deep chocolates or intense auburns. Irrespective of the kind of hair dyeing method that you want to go for, hair dyes can make your freshly colored hair feel a little lackluster.
This leads us to the question; does dyeing hair damage it?
Yes, it does. Here’s how…
–Effect of ammonia on the hair cuticle
The first way through which hair dye damages the hair is the effect that ammonia has on the hair cuticle. Ammonia lifts the hair cuticle; this is the layer that protects the hair strands. This layer needs to be lifted so that dye can penetrate the strand and change the color of the hair.
–Effect of peroxide on the actual color of the hair
Peroxide prepares the hair for the colorant that will be applied by reducing your hair’s current tone and pigment. This process dries and damages the hair. As the color sinks in your hair, the cuticle remains lifted. This further weakens the hair until you rinse the dye and the cuticle closes.
Those are the ways through which dye damages the hair. Now, let’s take a look at how you can repair dyed hair.
How to Repair Dyed Hair
Life without balayage is not an interesting one. Here’s how you can repair a dye-damaged hair.
–Eat the right nutrients
Although changing your diet won’t repair your hair color overnight, however, eating the right nutrients will go a long way in improving the health and strength of your hair. Eating spinach, sweet potatoes, berries and other foods rich in vitamin will help to repair your damaged hair.
–Reduce the rate at which you wash it
Shampooing your hair regularly will strip it of its natural oil. These oils are very important in preventing breakage and damage. You need to reduce the rate at which you wash your hair to nothing more than twice per week.
How You Can Dye Your Hair Evenly and Beautifully
Not everyone fancy visiting the hair salon, not to talk of sitting in the stylist’s chair for hours. Knowing how to dye your hair on your own will save you from this stress.
However, it requires skill and dexterity. Here are some tips that will help you to dye your hair like a pro.
–Buy two boxes
Get at least two boxes to ensure that you do not run out of dye. This is recommended most especially if your hair is long or short and thick.
–Carry out a patch test
A patch test will enable you to know if your skin will react to the chemicals contained in the dye or not. It’s advisable to find out before you start dyeing your hair.
–Carry out a strand test
A strand test will help you to know if the current color of your hair will react well with the dye. You won’t like the outcome if the dye makes your hair awful.
–Maintain a clean hairline
Apply some lip balm along your hairline and other areas that you don’t want any dye to go. This helps to stop the dye from drying your skin. Getting dye on your hairline may take days to get it off.
–Brush your hair
Your hair must be untangled before you start applying dye because knots can cause a serious problem.
–Divide your hair into sections
Divide your hair into four sections. Start with the first section because they are the most visible; thus they need time to be processed.
–Don’t use the bottle to mix the dye
Although a bottle is what’s normally provided in the box, however, using a bottle won’t give you the desired result. Instead, use a mixing bowl and a brush to apply the dye on your hair.
–Use a toothbrush
If you want some natural looking highlights, use a clean toothbrush to apply the dye around the hair on your face and on the tips.
–Start dyeing from the top
Always start dyeing at your hair roots. The hair roots require more time to develop the color. Once you’re done applying the dye on the roots, comb through to the ends.
–Wash your hair properly
After dyeing your hair, rinse it out with water (don’t apply shampoo immediately). When you eventually shampoo your hair, ensure it does not contain sulphate because sulphates can make your hair shaft to swell and also leach out the color.
