Hair Color Help: A Guide to Dyeing Hair at Home

Before a woman colors her own hair, it’s important that she do some homework. From finding the right formula and shade to maintaining healthy chemical-treated locks, following some simple steps will help make the process easy and foolproof. Skincare-News.com’s latest article, “A DIY Guide to Dyeing Your Hair,” offers a step-by-step guide to attaining the perfect hair color at home.

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Finding the right formula and shade

Even the most beauty-savvy woman can feel overwhelmed in the hair care aisle when she’s faced with so many coloring options. Here’s a rundown of how to select the right formula and shade for every hair type.

• Find the right formula. When choosing the dye, there are a number of things to consider, including how long the color will last and what kind of ingredients it contains.

Here are the formulas to choose from:

• Permanent. For the most dramatic results, choose a permanent hair color kit. Because it actually removes pigment from the hair, permanent hair color can be damaging to locks. Although this kind of hair coloring won't wash out, it'll begin to fade over time, typically after four to six weeks, making root touch-ups necessary.
• Demi-permanent. If a woman feels even the least bit non-committal when it comes to color, she should consider a demi-permanent dye. These wash out after 12 to 26 washes. Also, demi-permanent dyes will deepen or alter an existing color, but won’t lighten the hair.
• Semi-permanent. Semi-permanent hair color usually lasts for six to 12 shampoos and is much gentler on hair because it doesn’t contain ammonia or peroxide. Like demi-permanent dyes, semi-permanent formulas will darken or add color to an existing shade, but they won’t lighten locks. This is a great option if hair is fragile or damaged.
• Temporary. If a woman is incredibly capricious about color, then a temporary dye is the best bet. Since the dye doesn’t penetrate the inside of the hair shaft, it washes out after several shampoos.
• Organic and all-natural. Concerned about chemicals? Then consider natural and herbal color rinses. For instance, formulas made from organic henna plant extracts don’t contain synthetic chemicals, preservatives or harsh oxidizing chemicals like ammonia. While these formulas don’t change the actual structure or natural color of hair, they’ll condition locks while adding color and shine.
• Selecting your shade. The cardinal rule of dyeing hair is to use one’s natural hair color and skin tone to determine the shade. Women should make sure to keep their new color within one or two shades of their natural hair color to avoid locks that look fake and unflattering.

Lighter-skinned people tend to look unnatural with darker hair, because it makes them look pale. Similarly, darker-skinned people might have a difficult time pulling off much lighter shades.

Here’s some shade-specific advice:

• Blonde. Women should talk to their stylist or colorist about which shade of blonde will work for them. On virgin hair, the process shouldn’t be a problem. However, if hair has been permanently tinted, expect multiple sessions to get the right results.
• Red. Hair holds onto this color very well, but if a woman is blonde, she’ll have to go two or three shades darker to get a natural, deep shade. This process for blondes is also hard to reverse.
• Brown. This hair color is one of the safest and simplest to accomplish for most people. Plus, mixing varying shades with highlights can result in a variety of unique looks.
• Black. Because black covers all hair types effectively, it’s another easy color. However, make sure to take skin tone into consideration as black hair can be a stark contrast on pale skin.

Ready, set, color

Ensure great results with these essential hair dyeing do’s and don’ts.

• Pre-color prep
  • Do: Choose carefully. Don’t just look at the model on the box and expect the same results. Depending on natural hair color and how processed hair is, individual results usually vary. Look at the detailed color information — including color swatches — on the side of the box.
  • Do: Buy extra. If hair is long or thick, buy two boxes of hair dye — just in case. Running out halfway through a dye job can be a hair-raising experience.
  • Do: A patch test. A patch test is a good idea to make sure the dye doesn’t cause an unpleasant reaction. Apply the dye to a small patch of skin, such as the arm, and wait 24 hours. If skin is sensitive, test the dye on an area that’s more prone to sensitivity such as behind the ear.
  • Don’t: Stain skin. It’s crucial to separate hair into smaller sections so color is distributes evenly, down to the roots. To avoid staining skin, use a cotton ball to rub Vaseline on the skin surrounding the hairline. If there's trouble covering hair evenly, ask a friend to apply the color to hard-to-reach parts. Have old clothes and towels available to cover the work area and prevent the dye from staining.
• Managing mishaps
  • Do: Read the directions. Before taking the plunge, read the directions several times to avoid major mishaps.
  • Do: Be careful with curls. Curly hair is much more delicate than other hair types because it absorbs color faster and is more susceptible to damage. To dilute the dye, replace a quarter of the activator with distilled water.
  • Don’t: Re-dye a disaster. In the event of a hair-coloring catastrophe, don’t run out and buy a second box of dye to remedy the situation. It’s tough to predict how the two colors will interact, making it likely that the second dye job could turn out even worse than the first. Hair could end up with hues of green or orange — shades that can result from performing too many chemistry experiments on hair. Instead, bring the box that lists the ingredients to a professional stylist who can correct the mishap.
  • Don’t: Forgo professional help. To ensure optimal results, a woman should consult a professional colorist who is familiar with her hair and the style she’s seeking. And while she’s at it, she should learn as much as she can about the different kinds of dyes and the chemicals they contain. Doing so could help avoid an at-home dyeing disaster.
• Damage control
  • Do: Buy special products. Keep in mind that dyed hair is considered damaged hair and will need to be treated with great care. Purchase a shampoo and conditioner made specifically for color-treated hair. Also, incorporating a weekly deep conditioner can help hydrate and restore damage to chemically processed hair.
  • Do: Go easy on the ends. When re-dyeing roots, be sure to go easy on the ends — which are most susceptible to damage and breakage.
  • Don’t: Wash hair on the day of dyeing it. The natural oils in hair offer built-in protection against potentially damaging chemical processes. Because washing hair temporarily removes these oils, avoid shampooing for at least one day prior to coloring.
  • Don’t: Over-process. Addicted to hair dyes? A common obstacle to avoid is over-processing hair. This happens when too many permanent colors are applied to locks. If a woman is constantly changing colors, she should visit a local salon for professional deep conditioning treatments so she doesn’t damage her hair any further.

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