Coloring hair is a bold and transformative move that not only boosts your confidence but also elevates your overall personality. Whether you’re changing the shade of your hair or just highlighting sections, a new hair color can enhance your hair’s luster and volume.
When changing your hair color, setting the right expectations is necessary. By evaluating your needs as well as understanding the risks, you can prevent a nerve-racking hair experience. Before getting a new hair color, here are some things you should consider.
1. Your Hair Color, Type, And Condition Will Determine The Outcome
Your hair’s natural color, texture, and condition will determine the outcome of a coloring job. Hair with fine to medium thickness with normal porosity have predictable coloring results. In comparison, thick hair with low porosity may need more processes to get the desired outcome. High porosity hair has its shafts open and will absorb color fast, but it’s also high maintenance due to its vulnerability to damage.
By washing your hair at least 48 hours before coloring, you can rid it of build-up and allow the scalp ample time to produce the necessary oils to protect it from the coloring chemicals. Moreover, washing also enables the hair to absorb color more effectively.
To arrive at favorable results, choose hair products that are compatible with your hair type and condition to mitigate hair damage. If you have a sensitive scalp, you may want to consider quality hair coloring products with low odor and minimal scalp irritation, which are only some of the many benefits of Cree products.
2. Hair Color Formulas Have Different Durations
While all hair colors eventually fade, permanent hair dye is meant to last longer than semi-permanent and temporary dyes because it is more invasive. Because semi-permanent dyes coat the hair and wash off after a few shampoos, they may require frequent applications to maintain the desired hue. Permanent ones penetrate the hair shaft and lock in color thus they only need retouching at the roots.
Permanent hair dyes are preferred by people who want to cover gray hair. The temporary and semi-permanent options, on the other hand, are mostly used by people who want to experiment with fashionable colors. Remember that dramatic or extreme hair colors may require more frequent salon visits for regular touch-ups to preserve the look.
In coloring your hair, your preference and level of commitment will determine which way to go.
3. Expect Your Hair Texture To Change
Coloring hair can result in unpredictable changes in the hair curl pattern, especially for fine to medium-textured hair. Don’t be surprised if your curly hair suddenly coils more or becomes straighter. The results that your hair experiences after a coloring job will depend on the type of dye, technique used, and the number of processes it is subjected to.
Hair that undergoes less processing is less prone to extensive hair texture change. For instance, single processing means that your hair will be colored in just one step. Thus, exposure to harmful chemicals is limited, incurring lesser adverse effects. Double processing, however, will take longer and may make your hair more vulnerable to the dyeing chemicals.
4. Choosing The Right Shade
Having an idea of the hair color shade that you want and what you finally get can be tricky. Remember that hair coloring has different shades on the same color spectrum. If you don’t clearly communicate and show the stylist the exact shade that you want, your expectations may not be met.
Keep in mind that the color on the hair dye package may not look the same when applied to your hair. The model on the box may have the perfect shade you’re looking for, but you don’t know what their hair color was before, which can yield a different result.
It’s best to get the help of a professional hair stylist to break it down for you. If you’re new to hair coloring and aren’t sure what color best suits you, choose hues within two shades of your natural color or opt for shades that compliment your skin tone.
5. Colored Hair Will Need Special Care
Dyed hair will need special care to keep it vibrant and healthy for a long time. Once you get a color job done, your hair maintenance practices need to change. For instance, you’ll be required to stay away from heat. If you are used to styling your hair, consider alternative tools to achieve the look that you desire. If using heating equipment is a must, set them at their lowest temperature and move them fast across your hair to avoid extensive damage.
Coloring hair can cause dryness. While you may think that frequent washing is a good remedy, it only aggravates the situation. To enable the production of natural oils and to allow your hair to retain its new color, you need to stretch washes and only use protectant hair products. These products contain ingredients that nourish, protect, restore, and repair hair. Leave-in conditioner will come in handy, especially if you spend some time in the sun or water.
Conclusion
You may now be more confident to follow through and get a new hair color after considering the reminders above. By evaluating your needs and preferences carefully and putting the tips in mind, you’ll surely be able to get a new hair color with satisfaction. Taking good care of your hair after coloring will make it healthy, vibrant, and more durable.
