Ten Things Nobody Tells You About Coloring Your Hair

How Could You Not Tell Me?

Coloring hair has so many myths, horror stories, and hashtags that many of us feel that we know everything there is to know about the coloring and bleaching process. However, there are still some things that seemed to have slipped through the cracks during hair reviews, youtube videos, and those informative Instagram posts. And that is where Private Label Extensions, and I come in, we are here to tell you the ten things no one has revealed about coloring your hair.

Ten Things Nobody Tells You About Coloring Your Hair

1. Coloring Your Hair Is Not Inherently Bad For Your Strands

So many people, (myself included), have believed in the myth that bleach or hair dye automatically destroys your hair. Or we have experienced irreversible damage first hand. We have heard horror stories about hair falling out, curl patterns lost forever, and hair breakage increasing so much that when anyone mentions coloring your hair, we smile, and quietly run for the hills. However, coloring your hair alone is not what causes so much damage. Many people think that after they've dyed their hair, they can still keep their old hair habits. But with new hair comes new challenges and new ways of tending to your hairs needs. Most hair damage does not occur from the initial act of coloring your hair, but the lack of care for your hair afterward. Hair isn't likely to all fall out in huge clumps unless one is prone to a hereditary condition, or you have super overprocessed your hair. Do not shy away from color, merely be prepared to take the necessary extra steps to preserve your locks, and seal in your new hair tone...which leads us to...

2. How To Maintain Color

People either attest to the fact that their hair has fallen out or they suggest that taken care of their hair has changed over time; except no one tells us exactly how to maintain your color and hair health. The first step to preserving your hair color is to start with healthy hair! While this may seem redundant, your hair and color will both thank you if you are cautious to begin your color journey when you have reached a healthy point in your hair life. Having healthy hair means that you have low breakage, your ends trimmed, and you follow a consistent hair care regimen. Secondly, adjust your hair care routine. Include a safe color conditioner, so it doesn't cause your color to fade or lighten. An excellent way to restore moisture to your hair without damaging your color is to do a natural hair mask, or using Aloe Vera Gel. A pro tip for conditioning your hair is not to focus solely on your scalp when conditioning, actually too much product on the scalp can clog the pores; try to pay attention to the ends of your hair. The ends of the hair are older, weaker and are more likely to break off. Furthermore, rinse your hair with cold water to seal in moisture and keep your color from being washed out. Be careful not to overwash or over condition hair in an attempt to keep it moisturized; too much washing can dry your hair out more clearing your hair of natural scalp oils that protect the hair shaft and bring in moisture. Additionally, too much washing can shorten the life of your color. The critical factor to maintaining your color treated hair is mindful that hair is fragile, and needs attention, especially altered hair with chemical coloring.

3. You Will Get Addicted To Color

For me, this is just like when I got my first weave and thought, oh it's only this once, and I never looked back! Once you find a color that channels your inner spirit animal and looks great on your skin, you may convert to being a blonde haired chick forever, and there's no shame in that. Keep in mind, that excessive coloring can be damaging if hair is not healthy enough to handle the treatments, and stripping of the hair shaft. Healthy hair has a limit when it comes to dying as well, so keep track of how many times a color comes at your head, yes even black! If you feel your hair becoming brittle or dull and stringy, chill out with the coloring. Opt for weave or wigs. Most companies have 613 hair which is platinum blonde, and some companies like Private Label Extensions have Special Order items on the website that are a collection of bundles and wigs that are custom colored such as lavender, red and ombre options. You can also get 613 blonde hair and get it custom colored by your stylist, or practice coloring your hair yourself on your bundles!

4. How Long To Wait Between Touch-Ups

Typically, hair color can last two months looking fresh and vivid. However, the color life can be shortened or longer depending on the care shown. Touch-ups are on a case by case basis, but a general rule of thumb is that hair color fades or grows out after about six months. Before then, hair color can be retouched every four to eight weeks for highlights, and every four to six weeks for your entire head of color. Ombre colored hair is the easiest to maintain and hardly requires touch-ups as the colors ability to grow out adds to the flare of the style. Hair that is professionally colored in a salon should never be retouched at home by yourself. It's a dangerous mix when using hair store box color over salon quality. Your stylist may have used a different product, hair color and used a different technique. Re-coloring hair unevenly or mixing different coloring products can destroy the coloring and worse cause drying and breakage.

5. DIY Is Not Always The Way To Go

I understand that you may want to try out a color before throwing your whole head into the pot for a whopping $100 or more at the salon, but DIY is not always the way to go. Instead, you should DIYO (dig into your options!). Coloring your hair at home can result in an undesired color, color fading, and hair breakage. Try getting highlights or a colored strip from your local hair store before immediately bleaching or dyeing your hair at home. If you want to try to transform yourself by yourself, do a spot check to make sure you get the color you want, and the products you are using are not too rough for your hair structure. When dyeing at home avoid products that are heavy in peroxide, which damages your natural color (the foundation), and ammonia (splits the hair cuticle and lifts hair).

6. But The Salon Can Also Disappoint

As mentioned, you should try out colors before diving into anything, even if it is at a salon. Your stylist is good at what they do, but they are working off of your explanation of a look or a photograph, and the color may not be exact to form. Color done at home or the salon can change over time due to the quality of the products used, the weather, and the aftercare you use on your hair.

7. Dying Your Hair It's Natural Color Still Counts As Coloring

Whenever we go to the salon for a chemically altering treatment like a perm, relaxer, keratin treatment or color, they ask "have you dyed your hair recently?" If you've answered no think hard, have you redyed your hair it's natural color? Because your natural hair color still counts! I admit that it may sound like a no-brainer, but many like myself, don't usually think of dyeing our hair it's natural black or brown as changing its color. I can't count how many times I have said no, just for my stylist to tell me, "Have you dyed it black at home?" And a lightbulb in my head goes off. Your hair does not have to look drastically different to mean that you've colored it, and yes your stylist wants to know!

8. Coloring Your Hair Is A Process That Can Take Months

Your stylist cares about your natural hair, and this means that making any drastic change in your hair color will be a long process. Don't expect to go into your appointment with jet black hair and leave with Brittney Spears blonde, unless you want your hair to fall out! Lightening or coloring hair over time will help the hair adjust better to the change. Keep the hair healthier and allow the color to pop more once you reach your final hair destination! Do not be discouraged if your stylist refuses or warns against your color decision, and it is not a no forever, it's just not an immediate option right now.

9. Moisture Can Be Sucked Out Of Your Hair Due to Coloring

When hair is bleached or colored, the hair shaft is exposed, and the hair now lacks vital minerals that protect your hair. Additionally, protein blocks in the hair strands. This changing of the hair means that your hair is more susceptible to damage, and the layer of protection on your hair shaft diminished. The combination of these occurrences can make hair more brittle and dry the hair follicle out. Coloring your hair can split the cuticle, and cause breakage and dryness. Be sure to look for dyes that are ammonia free, and gentler on your hair follicle. The best way to combat this drying is to use an oil like argan oil or castor oil to restore moisture, and use a heat protectant when styling hair. Additionally, use a conditioner and shampoo that has a focus on sealing in moisture to hair and replenishing proteins.

10. The Elements Can Wreak Havoc On Color Treated Tresses

An abundance of sun, chlorine, cold weather and sand can dry hair out. The intense weather conditions pull the moisture and oils from the hair and scalp; these conditions can also lighten or fade color over time. As mentioned, color treated hair is more likely to become dry or brittle, and break off or have split ends so pay attention to your hair's needs by monitoring your hair color changes and drinking lots of water! Many of these jewels nested in the act of keeping your scalp clean, ends protected and ensuring that hair's moisturized! Moisture plays a massive part in hair health and in keeping colored treated hair healthy. Maintaining hair hydrated is not just about having healthy hair, it is also about preserving your hair color and making sure your hairstyle pops!

Things To Keep In Mind When Coloring Hair

Before dyeing your hair decide whether you will be coloring your hair at home or at a salon to make your next move your best move. When coloring at home chooses products that have ingredients that will not dry out hair or cause severe damage. Try to make sure your hair is healthy and in excellent condition before adding color that can strip your hair of protective oils and make your hair more prone to breakage. Dyeing your hair can alter your curl pattern, and dry out your hair in the process. Be sure to keep hair moisturized and in good health by using a color safe shampoo and conditioner, and rinsing with cold water. Also, protect your hair from harsh weather by using hats or scarfs; and protect against heating tools by using a heat protectant or limiting your use. Getting your hair colored should be fun, but can also be addictive. Try to stick to only bleaching your hair twice a year, but if you can't be prepared for a longer, healthier dyeing process to preserve the strength of your locks and minimize damage. Now, go out there and enjoy your new hair color!