Many times you see someone with great colours on the hair which induces you to try the same colour on your hair too. Once you have decided you want to colour your hair, you have two options in front of you – you either go to a hair colourist or do it yourself. The latter is quite risky – unless of course you are a hair colourist – because you would, in all probability, not know the fundamentals of hair colouring.
Some basic things you need to know about hair colouring are:
- Why we do we colour?
- How to colour?
- What brand to choose?
Why do we colour
Different people colour their hair for different reasons. Some colour to hide their greys and thus become socially acceptable. Some to hide their age. Still others do it to further enhance their beauty and personality. Colouring their hair boosts and motivates them..
Whatever the reason, when you have made up your mind to colour your hair inform your family members and friends. It is always nice to take a few suggestions from your loved ones. Also, on your part you can cut references [cut-outs from magazines or newspapers] of your preferred hair colour. Then, consult an expert hair colourist. Let her know the colour and the look you expect to have. She will be able to guide you on the realistic outcomes of hair colouring – its pros and cons, precautions you need to take and will also help you with a few other choices of hair colours which would look great on you.
How to colour
If you decide to get your hair coloured at a salon, then the only thing you need to consider is the reputation of the salon and the expertise of the hair colourist.
But, if you choose to colour your hair yourself please follow the manufacturer’s instructions and ensure the whole process is done carefully. Double check if the hair colour suits you by doing a patch test – take very little colour and apply it on the back of your ear. Any itching and redness means the product is not compatible with your skin type. Keep the children away from you during the entire process.
The advantage of getting your hair coloured by a professional is that he/she will know how to mix and develop the colour, and how much time and quantity is needed for your hair.
What brand to choose
While choosing a brand, do it diligently. Choose a brand that is easy to apply, easy to rinse, has a pleasant fragrance, no side-effects and a long-lasting effect. After getting your hair coloured the more tedious job is to maintain it for as long as possible. You can take the help of a hair professional on this. He/she will give you comparisons over a range of brands and thus help you choose whichever suits you best. They can guide you how to work with your hair and give you a satisfactory result.
If you scan the market, you will find a wide range of hair colour products to choose from. Some colours promise to last a few months or longer. For those who want to colour their hair just for a day or a few days – for a night out, party, dates, weddings or other such occasions – temporary colours are also available . The main intention here is just a change of look for a day and resuming office/other social commitments the next day without affecting your daily look and lifestyle. There are plenty of peppy colour options available for all age groups. There are a wide range of after-colour shampoos, and after-colour conditioners for the same shade which is on your hair. This means you are refreshing the colour and at the same time putting all the basic needs of the hair back.
Watch out before you dye
Harvard School of Public Health’s epidemiology department discovered that women who use hair colouring five times or more annually are twice as likely to develop ovarian cancer as women who never use hair dye. Further, a study published in the International Cancer Journal found that women who use permanent hair colouring are also twice as likely to develop bladder cancer as those who do not.
There are other studies that question these studies indicating that the co-relation between hair dyes and cancer is loose and requires more studies to confirm a causality relation. Knowing that studies exist on both sides of the divide, we need to make sure that what we do with our hair serves us.