All hair coloring is damaging to your hair, but not necessarily bad. Doing nothing and not taking care of your hair is worse. In fact, if you have long hair, most of your ends are already damaged from various environmental factors and routines. (e.g. sun, dry air, brushing, tying, tangling, washing, wet hair etc.)
Unfortunately, hair Color damages your hair. When you dye your hair it lifts the cuticle, altering the hair in a way that will never completely revert back to it's natural virgin state. However, the hair that grows from your scalp will grow out normally so only the hair that has been dyed is affected.
Semi-permanent or natural hair dyes are good options as they minimize damage. Opt for ammonia-free, sulfate-free, and paraben-free formulas, and consider plant-based dyes like henna or herbal hair colors. Shades close to your natural color, like dark brown or black, usually cause less damage compared to lighter colors.
The only colour process you can do without damaging the hair would be a method of depositing colour referee to as Demi permanent. You do not change the hair, merely deposit colour that will wash out over 6--8 weeks (24 shampoos) because it has not used chemicals to alter the actual hairs structure.
In summary, highlights are generally considered more damaging than full color due to the bleaching involved. However, the overall impact on hair health depends on the specific techniques used, the products chosen, and how well the hair is cared for afterward.
Balayage. Balayage is a French word that translates to "sweeping." It is generally considered a safer coloring technique compared to traditional full-head dyeing or aggressive highlighting methods. The balayage process starts with the hairstylist strategically selecting sections of the hair to apply the color.
Whereas highlights can last up to two to three months. Single-process color is usually the most affordable option at salons. It's also generally the most gentle option for your hair. So if you're looking for an affordable and gentle option for a new color, single-processing may be the best route.
"If you really want to reduce your exposure to harsh ingredients the safest way, color-depositing conditioners and masks are best," Patton said. These dyes don't require a developer, so they're relatively gentle.
Over time, and with repeated colouring sessions, these changes in the structure of your hair will leave it weaker and more prone to breakage. The more hair is dye damaged, the less the colour holds. That's why it's so important to prioritise repair if you colour your hair.
So How Long Should I Wait? We recommend four to six weeks between each hair coloring session, but be sure to take a look at the instructions of your hair coloring kit for the best guidance. Putting some space between colorings will help keep your hair from becoming dry and weak.
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.
Brown hair colors for gray hair are the sweet spot for gray coverage if your natural shade is medium blonde to dark brown. They are also ideal if you're gray all over.
If your hair is brown, you may need to bleach it more than once before you apply the grey dye. It's important you get your hair as light as possible before you attempt to turn it grey – this will help ensure a more even tone and vibrant, all-over colour.
Box dyes often contain strong chemicals that can over-processed hair, making it dry and brittle. These chemicals can react unpredictably with other hair treatments, causing damage.
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.
The chemical components in the dye damage the protein within the hair shaft to weaken it, as well as snap locks, particularly those in the telogen stage of the hair cycle. Ultimately, every time you colour your hair, there is an increased risk of hair loss.
Red hair is notoriously difficult when it comes to upkeep. While it's the hardest color to fully strip from your hair, it's also the first to fade, often lightening drastically within the first few washes. So unless you're wanting to touch-up your own color at home, it would be wise to skip the scarlet shades.
In a 2019 study involving more than 46,000 women, Dr. White and her colleagues found that those who used permanent hair dye frequently (every five to eight weeks) had a 9 percent higher risk of breast cancer than those who didn't use hair dye.
Simply put, when it comes to salon color vs. box dye, it's always best to get your hair colored at the salon by a professional. Salon formulas better for your hair, and having a pro colorist apply it also ensures the best results.
How much should you tip your hairdresser? We asked three etiquette experts, two salon professionals and a certified financial planner. Most of these experts suggest leaving 15% to 20%, depending on the service and your satisfaction. Going with 20% is nice for the stylist and you because that math is pretty simple.
An All Over Color generally refers to a hair coloring technique where the entire head of hair is colored with a single process. This process involves applying hair color to the roots, mid-lengths, and ends. This technique is often used to cover grays, change natural hair color, or create a new base shade.