Whether you want to want to get rid of that gray hair or you just want to have a new look, dying is a good way to achieve it. Unfortunately, hair dying entails consequences that may damage and dry your hair when used inappropriately. The selected color of your dye should blend with the original color of your hair and eyebrows and to enhance your features. Experimenting is good, but dyes can be rough on your hair when used frequently. Although it is best to dye at a professional salon or stylist, it is much cheaper at home with the same creative effect. Before you see the top 10 hair dying mistakes, it is important to have an understanding of the different types of hair dye that are available so you can put them in context.
Types of Hair Dye
1. Permanent hair dye
While dying your hair permanantly is, by some, considered in and of itself a mistake, the obvious benefit is that it lasts for a considerable time. As the hair grows, it is applied to the roots. It contains ammonia and peroxides, which can possibly cause dryness and damage. Exposure to the sun and salt water will cause the color to fade. That's why in order to maintain the color, it is best to cover your hair by using a hat or bandanna when going outside.
2. Long-lasting Semi-permanent
As the name implies, has the longest life remaining even after more than 20 washes, depending on the brand.
3. Semi-permanent
These have the shortest lifespan for dyes. After 6-12 washes, the color will start to fade. This is recommended for first-time users and those who want to experiment with colors.
How to dye your hair safely and professionally:
- Separate hair into two quadrants. Then clip each part. - Wear plastic gloves while mixing dye solution. Follow the directions written on the box. - Squeeze a small amount of coloring into one quadrant. Streak thin stripes of color over the whole area of the quadrant. Put a clip on the colored part. - Repeat the process after you have completed coloring the four quadrants. - Consult instructions on how long you should leave it. Add a couple of minutes of wait to that of the suggested treatment time. - Put on left over color mix to the entire head after a few minutes. - Rinse with cold water.
Top 10 hair dying mistakes!
- Number 10: Applying dye to dirty, tangled hair
Deep condition your hair a month before dying to maintain color. Be sure your hair is relatively clean before applying. Trim hair especially dry and split ends to even out color. Hair should be slightly damp when dye is applied.
- Number 9: Using hair conditioner before you dye
Do not condition your hair a few hours before applying hair dye, shampooing will do the trick. Your hair needs to be free of free radicals such as dirt and oil as much as possible.
- Number 8: Choosing hair dye based on what the model on the box looks like
Consult the local salon or stylist on what colors would look best on you. The hair dye you choose should have the same tone as your skin color.
- Number 7: Forgetting to check for allergic contents
After choosing a brand, apply a tiny amount of hair dye near your neck or behind your ear to see if irritation, redness, inflammation, allergy, hair loss or any bad reactions occur. Wash the affected area right away if this happens. Remember the instructions carefully. Do the patch test 1-2 days before hair dye application.
- Number 6: Doing your entire head without testing a small amount of your hair first
Do a strand test by applying a bit of dye to a few stands of your hair to see if you got the right color.
- Number 5: Staining your skin or clothes
Protect your skin by wrapping a towel around your neck as the dye can irritate your skin or affect your clothes. Gloves should be used and must be included in a hair dye kit. Applying petroleum jelly or cream around your ears and neck part will keep off stains. Wipe off oil after shampooing. If you do happen to stain your skin, don't worry, rubbing alcohol will remove dye stains from your skin
- Number 4: Picking a color that does not fit with your natural hair color
Pick a color one shade lighter when dying your roots. This will make the transition from your colored hair back to your natural hair color graceful without roots that are a completely different color sticking out. Obviously, this rule does not apply if you are dying your hair a completely different color than your natural hair color.
- Number 3: Losing hair
After dying, always rinse with cold or tepid water to avoid your own hair from falling out.
- Number 2: Over-dying hair
If you did not achieve the desired effect, using Liquid Tide can correct this. A couple of days of use will lighten the color until your hair returns to the original color. Instead of over-dying, do touch-ups every four to five weeks to keep your hair color picture perfect.
- Number 1: Dying eyebrows and eyelashes
Never use hair dye on eyebrows and eyelashes! Ask for medical help when dye gets into your eye.
Hair Tip #1 Shampoo your hair regularly to keep the hair clean and the scalp healthy. Depending on the environment in which you live and work, even washing your hair once a day will not damage the hair as long as you use good quality mild shampoo that does not strip all of the sebum from the hair. (Sebum is the natural oil that is produced in the hair follicle which contains a natural antiseptic and protects the scalp from infection.)
Hair Tip #2 Do not use soap on your hair. Soap is very harsh and especially when used on your hair in hard water areas it can leave a sticky residue. Experimenting with a variety of quality shampoos designed for your hair type will help you arrive at one that you are happy with and that leaves your hair clean and shiny.
Hair Tip #3 Wash your hair in warm water and make sure you give a little time for the hair to soak thoroughly before applying the shampoo. As sebum is a natural oil it will not dissolve in cold water.
Hair Tip #4 Put a small amount of shampoo in the palm of your hand relative to the length of your hair and spread it between both hands. Now spread it over your head by stroking the shampoo through your hair to ensure even coverage.
Hair Tip #5 Use the balls of the fingers (not fingertips) to gently massage the scalp as you apply the hair shampoo. This gets the shampoo right into the hair root. Pay special attention to the hairline and give it a little extra time as dirt tends to lodge in this area.
Hair Tip #6 Most times you only need to apply the shampoo once, especially if you wash your hair frequently. Unless you did not get a good lather the first time or if the hair is very dirty should a second application of shampoo be necessary.
Hair Tip #7 Be meticulous with rinsing your hair. It should be done under running water and make sure you use lots of it! Residue shampoo that gets left in the hair can cause damage.
Hair Tip #8 Dab or pat your hair with a towel to remove excess water or moisture. Never rub with a towel to avoid damaging or breaking the hair. Remember, wet hair is fragile hair.
Hair Tip #9 Using a pH balanced shampoo can help ensure you do not damage it unknowingly. A pH (potential hydrogen) balance of between 4.5 to 5.5 is a good guide indicating the shampoo is slightly acidic, matching the pH value of your hair and sebum. A shampoo with a high alkaline content, while appearing to make the hair thicker, can actually damage the surface of the hair.
Hair Tip #10 Be aware of the ingredients in the shampoo you choose and examine the label carefully. Fruit additives can help hydrate the hair. Perfumed and coloured shampoos can in a few instances cause skin irritation so be prepared to try another if this happens. While you may be tempted to use a shampoo that contains proteins, and no doubt it can help the hair, if you are concerned about your hair getting proteins, pay more attention to your diet and feed the hair from the inside, a far more effective way to help your hair than adding proteins from the outside!
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