We're 'Dying' to Ease Your Fear!
Are you considering dying your hair but are apprehensive about possible negative side effects? We hear you! Most women with textured hair are hesitant to dye their hair due to fears of causing irreversible damage. We’re here to ease your fears. There are many safe hair dyes on the market that will not affect the health and growth of your hair. The key is to find a hair dye that will deliver the results you need without the damage; however, just as important as using the right hair dye is your commitment to consistently care for your hair to ensure minimal damage. With a little research and understanding of what ingredients to look out for, you will be able to find a hair dye that will meet your needs and one that is within your comfort level.
This article will get you on your way to understanding the basics of hair dye, what ingredients to look out for, and identifying which types of dye will meet your needs. We’ve laid the ground work to get your on your way to choosing the right dye for you, so read on!
Understanding Hair Dye
There are four main types of hair dye: temporary, semi-permanent, demi-permanent and permanent.
Temporary hair dye doesn’t penetrate the hair shaft but simply lays on the surface and is easily removed with one hair wash session.
Semi-permanent hair dye lasts longer than temporary hair dye, though it still doesn’t penetrate or alter the hair shaft. It has the ability to last for up to eight hair wash sessions.
Demi-permanent hair dye get a bit closer to permanent hair dye in that it stays on hair longer, but it doesn’t contain ingredients like ammonia which cause harm to your strands (more on this soon!) Demi-permanent dye uses a developer agent which aids in its ability to penetrate the hair shaft thus lasting longer with a total of over twenty hair wash sessions.
Permanent hair dye, like the name implies, cannot be removed from the hair once applied. This type of dye requires a bit more chemical development and will compromise the hair’s strength more than the other types of dyes.
Ingredients to Avoid in Hair Dye
There are many ingredients you want to keep in clear sight and do your best to avoid when selecting a hair dye. Some of these ingredients include:
- Ammonia
- Persulfates
- Parabens
- Propylene Glycol
- Metals
- MEA
- Resorcinol
- Paraphenylenediamine (PPD)
- Peroxide
These ingredients are found in varying proportions and are more likely to appear in demi-permanent and permanent hair dyes. Some of these ingredients have the potential of posing health risks including allergies and toxicity. In general, it’s advised to not use products with the above ingredients continuously over a long period of time.
How to Care for Dyed Hair to Minimize Damage and Keep Color Vibrant
Many women are hesitant about dying their hair because of the possibility of hair breakage. And this hesitation is not unfounded – hair dye will compromise your hair’s strength. The chemical reactions that need to occur for hair’s color to change will lift your hair’s cuticle (outer layer of hair) and deplete your hair’s protein. But with consistent care, this damage can be kept to a minimum. Here are some simple but significant steps to incorporate in your hair care routine to prevent damage and keep your new hair color vibrant.
- Keep your hair moisturized.
- Deep condition your hair every two weeks alternating a moisturizing conditioner with a protein treatment like this Protein Treatment from SheaMoisture.
- If using a temporary or semi-permanent hair dye, consider washing your hair less frequently as it will prevent the hair dye from fading too quickly.
- Get routine professional hair trims to remove the dyed ends which are prone to splitting.
- If possible, use hair products that are formulated for dyed hair.
Spicing up your look with a quality hair dye can be something to look forward to when you take the right steps. After all, if there is one thing you can do to change your appearance in a significant and fun way, it’s to change the color if your hair. We hope this article has helped you to be a little more comfortable with the idea of dying your hair. Remember, while it’s important to select a hair dye that will cause the least damage to your hair, just as important is your commitment to nurture your hair!
Luckily Glisen is at your service. Our automated personalized hair care advice engine provides you with care detailed hair instructions including how to care for dye hair. Take our quiz today and get your free tailored advice, products, videos and more in minutes at here.
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