Whether you're looking to save money on a trip to the salon or just want to change your look, are you thinking about coloring your hair at home? It's a big decision. But don't worry. With the right knowledge and the right methods, you can do this at home safely and beautifully. Let's talk about this from the beginning.
First, know what your limitations are.
Not all of us are trained hairstylists, so it's normal to feel a little nervous and apprehensive when it comes to coloring your hair at home. So before you take on this task, you need to understand exactly what your limitations are. Before you get started, ask yourself these questions:
- Is this your first time coloring your hair?
- Is your hair already damaged ? (e.g. split, dry, brittle?)
- Do you want a change that is so big that you can't even imagine it ? (e.g., suddenly turning dark hair blonde)
- Do you have allergies to hair dyes?
If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, it's a good idea to talk to an experienced, qualified hairstylist before you take the plunge. They can help you color your hair safely , or advise you on the best products for your hair and skin type.
Remember, hair is a very important part of our appearance, so it's wise to seek professional help if there's a risk, rather than experimenting and messing it up.
Let's choose the color formula that suits you.
There are three main types of hair color that we usually use. They are `Semi-permanent`, `Demi-permanent`, and `Permanent`. Choosing the right type for you will depend on your hair type, the color you want, how much your hair is bleached (thinning), and whether or not you've colored your hair before.
Think about it, hair with fine hair absorbs color very easily. But hair that is a little coarser and thicker (e.g., curly hair) has a harder time getting the color in and settling.
You can get a good idea about this from the table here.
| Color Type | Speciality and functionality | Who is best suited for? |
|---|---|---|
| Semi-permanent Color | This is deposited on the hair shaft. It gradually disappears when you shampoo (usually after 6-12 washes it disappears completely). Since it does not contain peroxide, it cannot remove the natural color of the hair and lighten it. It can only be dyed darker. | This is good for someone who wants to try a fun color for a while (e.g., something like blue or pink) and doesn't want to damage their hair. |
| Demi-permanent Color | This has a small amount of peroxide. So you can lighten your hair a little. This box comes with a bottle of color and a bottle of developer. You have to mix the two and apply it. Although it doesn't go all the way into the hair shaft, it lasts a while (about 12-26 weeks). | This is good for someone who wants a color that lasts a little longer but isn't as damaging as permanent, or for someone who wants to cover up some gray hair. |
| Permanent Color | As the name suggests, this is the type of color that lasts the longest. This color lasts until the hair grows back. This also has a developer. It removes the natural color of the hair and puts in the new color. If this process is not done properly, it can cause great damage to the hair. | This is best for someone who wants to completely cover very light (bleached) hair, or for someone who wants to go a lighter color than their existing hair color. |
How do you choose your shade?
This is very important. As a general rule, it's safer to go darker than your natural hair color than to go lighter . If you're trying to go more than three shades lighter than your natural color, you'll need to use a lot of peroxide or bleach. Doing this at home without any guidance can be very damaging to your hair.
So, choose a color that is within three shades of your natural color . Imagine you are stuck between two colors. In such a case , always choose the lighter color . Because, if you make a mistake, it is easier to make a light color darker than a dark color lighter.
Let's prepare the necessary things and space.
Before you start coloring your hair, you need to prepare yourself and your workspace.
- Wear an old shirt that doesn't have any stains (if it has buttons in the front, it's easy to take off).
- If you're worried about staining the floor and surrounding furniture, remove old newspapers or large garbage bags .
- The color kit you get will come with gloves and bottles. But if you're an experienced user and use professional products, prepare a bowl to mix the color and a brush to apply it.
Let's prepare the hair and start coloring it.
Before you start, your hair should be unwashed and very dry . The natural oils in your hair provide some protection for your scalp. Then, apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly or Vaseline around your forehead, behind your ears, and on the back of your neck. This will help prevent the color from transferring to your skin.
How do you apply the color?
- If you are coloring your entire hair: First apply the color to the roots of your hair, then quickly start applying it throughout your hair. Rub your hands together until the color is well distributed throughout your hair. Make sure to check that every strand of hair is covered in color. Then leave it on for the recommended amount of time according to the instructions on the box.
- If you are only touching up the roots: Separate your hair into small sections about a quarter-inch long and apply the color only to the newly grown roots. After most of the time specified in the instructions has passed, you can refresh the remaining color by applying it to the rest of your hair.
When the time is up, wash your hair thoroughly with the shampoo and conditioner provided in the box. Then , don't shampoo again for 24 to 48 hours .
Another important thing to pay attention to!
This is the most important thing of all. Before you start coloring your hair, you should definitely do a patch test .
Simply put, take a small amount of the color you are going to use and apply it behind your ear or on the inside of your elbow. Then leave it there for 48 hours . If you experience any allergic reaction, such as itching, redness, or blistering, during that time, do not use the product for any reason .
If you have such a reaction, it means that you are allergic to some chemical in that dye. In such a case, the best thing to do is to talk to your doctor about it. He or she will be able to treat the allergy and advise you on what to do next.
Take-Home Message
- Coloring your hair at home is a big deal. So first think twice about the condition of your hair (is it damaged?) and the change you want. If there are risks, seek professional help.
- Choose the right type of color (Semi-permanent, Demi-permanent, or Permanent) that suits your hair and needs.
- When choosing a hair color, don't choose a color that's much lighter than your natural color. If you can't choose, choosing a lighter color is easy to fix if you make a mistake.
- Prepare the necessary materials before work and use something like Vaseline to stop the color from getting on your skin.
- Most importantly: Always do a patch test 48 hours before coloring your hair. If you experience any reaction, stop using the product and see your doctor immediately.
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