Things You Should Know Before Dying Your Hair

I have been thinking of dying my hair lately just to change up my look a little.  I've had some really bad hair dye experiences in the past and also some very good ones.  Here are a few things your may want to consider if you are thinking about dying your tresses.

Is your hair healthy?

Before considering any type of chemical processing to your hair, make sure that you hair is in decent enough condition to receive chemical treatment. If you are unable to assess the health of your own hair, check with your own stylist or the salons in your area, because some will do a hair evaluation for free or for minimal cost.

Is dying my own hair advisable?

Depending on what you're trying to achieve, there are dying processes that are relatively safe to try at home. There are different types of hair coloring processes, which I will explain below.  The general rule is, if you are only going for a lift (lightening) no more than 2 shades, you should be okay. Additionally, if you are depositing (darkening) color to your hair, this process isn't as harsh as lifting and can be done at home too.  If you choose to try dying your hair at home, follow the instructions on the box. You may want to conduct a patch test to make sure that you have no allergies to the dye.

If you are lifting more than 2 shades, I suggest that you have it done professionally.  This doesn't guarantee that you will get the results that you want, but at least you have a better chance with a pro colorist. 

How do I choose the right shade for me?

I suggest that you try on a few wigs. If you don't have a wig shop in your area, some beauty supply stores carry them and will allow you try them on.  Don't just try on the color that you're thinking of dying your hair, but try on a few other colors.  You might be surprised by which color you end up selecting!

Types of hair coloring processes

• Color rinse - most gentle, for depositing color only, contains no ammonia or peroxide, adds shine and deepens colors, washes out within a few weeks. (generally DIY safe)
• Temporary  - no ammonia or peroxide, for depositing color only, washes out after with one shampoo (generally DIY safe)
• Semi-Permanent - last a bit longer than a rinse, deposits color, doesn't lighten dark colored hair well (generally DIY safe)
• Permanent - color is permanent (has to grow out or dyed another color), uses ammonia and peroxide to lift color (consult with a professional)

• Bleaching - achieves high lifts from very dark to very light, I suggest avoiding this process all together because it is extremely damaging to the hair, but if you must (consult with a professional)

As you can see, there are some processes that you can try at home, however, keep in mind that you if you have dark hair and want to go a lot lighter, many of the more gentle processes will not give you the lift that you are looking for because they are not designed to this.  Hair color can be a fun way to change up your look, but it's important that you do your research and do what's best for your hair type. If you are preggers,  check with your doctor to get information about some of the risks associating with dying your hair while pregnant. 

Happy hair dying ladies!