Whether you’re dying your hair at home or getting it done professionally, follow these safety tips to ensure you don’t have any unwanted side effects.
Chemical dyes are a common cause of skin irritation and scalp problems. They alter the cuticle and cortex of your strands, making them more prone to damage.
Preparation
There are a lot of things to consider when you’re dying your hair. You want to make sure the color you choose is the right shade, and you need to get it on your strands in the most even way possible. Plus, maintaining your dyed locks after you leave the salon is important.
The first step to mastering at-home coloring is preparing your hair before you begin. The more you prep, the better your results will be and the less likely you are to make a mess.
Before you start, Ferrara recommends putting on a pair of gloves and grabbing a few things to get your work area ready. You’ll want a bowl and paint brush, like salon pros use, but if your kit doesn’t include these tools, don’t worry; you can get them at any beauty supply store.
After you’ve got everything set up, read through the instructions on the box before you begin to ensure you don’t have any hiccups while you’re coloring. This will help you avoid making mistakes or missing areas that you’ll have to fix later, which can be frustrating and costly.
Once you’re ready to begin, apply the dye to your roots and let it sit for the amount of time recommended on the packaging. Then, comb it through the rest of your strands to spread the color out and prevent a two-tone effect.
You’ll also want to protect your home and yourself from dye stains, so cover up any surfaces you may have (like the floor or sink) with garbage bags or newspaper that you can easily throw away afterward. If you’re doing the color yourself, wear an old robe or button-front shirt that you don’t mind getting stained.
You’ll also want to check the back of your head in a handheld mirror to make sure you’ve covered every spot, advises Hill. You can also apply coconut oil or a deep conditioning mask to your roots to keep the dye from running down into the rest of your hair and staining it.
Wear Gloves
When you dye your hair, you’ll want to wear gloves to keep the chemicals from seeping through your pores and damaging your skin. Gloves can also help prevent skin reactions, such as hives or blisters.
The best type of gloves for dying your hair are thick nitrile gloves. These protect your hands against hair dyes and other chemicals found in salon products, while keeping you comfortable at the same time.
Choosing the right gloves is important for protecting yourself and your clients. Nitrile gloves offer excellent protection against most chemicals, including the commonly used ingredients in hair dyes, perm mixes and conditioning treatments.
If you’re using a dye that contains PPD, then it’s even more important to wear gloves. These chemicals have been linked to severe allergic reactions and are known to cause hand eczema in hairdressers.
Nitrile gloves are preferred by many hair professionals because they offer the highest level of chemical resistance. The added protection is more than worth the slight loss in touch sensitivity, and will help you and your clients avoid painful reactions.
Leather gloves are also popular in the beauty industry because they look professional and provide a good barrier for your hands. However, leather gloves will begin to break down after repeated use, so it’s important to replace them as soon as possible.
One study found that nitrile gloves were more effective than natural rubber latex, polyethylene and vinyl gloves at reducing the skin toxicity of hair dyes containing PPD. They also found that nitrile gloves significantly reduced skin reactions to hair dyes that contain other ingredients, such as ammonia and bleach.
Another study found that disposable, nitrile gloves are better at preventing hand eczema than disposable, vinyl gloves. Disposable, nitrile gloves are also more durable than plastic or polyethylene gloves.
The health and safety of your clients is always a priority, so it’s important to use only gloves that are clean and free from germs and pathogens. Gloves should be changed as often as possible, as it’s easy to spread bacteria when you reuse gloves.
Wear a Mask
If you want your hair to be healthy and vibrant when you get it colored, it is important that you wear a mask prior to the coloring treatment. The reason for this is that hair dye can strip natural oils from your strands and scalp, making them brittle and dry.
There are several different types of hair masks that you can use to keep your strands healthy and strong before you color them. Some of them can be made at home, while others are available to purchase in stores and online.
Some hair masks are designed specifically to help keep your color vibrant and true for an extended period of time. These masks will help repair damage that has been caused by chemicals or heat treatments and will also help your hair maintain its luster.
Other masks are designed to give your hair a boost of nutrients and moisture. These masks can be made at home with ingredients like honey, egg, banana, and avocado, or they can be purchased at beauty supply stores or drugstores.
When you’re choosing a hair mask, look for one that is made with natural ingredients and has as few preservatives as possible. You can also find some that are made with keratin, which will help your hair grow faster and stronger.
Most masks recommend a once-a-week application, but you can use them more often if needed. This will ensure that your hair remains as healthy as possible going into the color process, and it will also help to keep the color from running or looking muddy.
A mask will also help to smooth out the cuticle of your hair, which helps your hair hold the color longer and more easily. This can be especially important if you plan on dyeing your hair multiple colors in the future or are using a product that requires frequent washing.
The key to a good hair mask is applying it evenly and allowing it to sit on your strands for the recommended amount of time. You will need to leave the mask on your strands for about five to twenty minutes and then rinse it out thoroughly.
Don’t Overdo It
One of the most important things to keep in mind when dyeing your hair is not to overdo it. If you dye your hair too frequently, it can dry out and become frizzy. You also want to avoid over-washing it, which can cause the color to fade quickly.
The best way to ensure that your newly colored locks stay looking their best is to follow a routine of nourishing shampoo and conditioner. The trick is to pick products that are specifically designed for dyed hair – those with gentle, protein-based ingredients will help strengthen weakened strands while preserving your color.
For a shiny, healthy glow, opt for an oil-based conditioner instead of a silicone-based formula. This will not only prevent your tresses from becoming dry and brittle, but it will also seal in your new goop to keep it looking shiny and sleek for weeks to come.
While there is no magic number when it comes to how often you should dye your hair, most experts recommend a minimum of four weeks before you reapply. This is because your hair is in a fragile state after a major coloring job and needs a chance to recover its strength and shine.
There are plenty of other ways to keep your hair looking good for longer, but the best way to get there is by following these savvy tips. Using the right products will have your tresses glowing in no time! The best products on the market will be formulated with ingredients that are proven to do their job.
