Are you thinking of hiding your grey locks? Do you wish to give your hair a brand-new look without spending a fortune? You can try dyeing your hair at home to sport a new look.
Dyeing your hair is easier than you think. But, before you go for it, learn about the tricks and tips to achieve salon-like results.
Here is a comprehensive guide to help you know simple hacks of dyeing hair at home.
Let’s begin.
Highlights:
Is It Safe To Use Hair Dye?
Dyeing your hair with synthetic hair colors occasionally may not damage your hair. However, rigorous hair dyeing with bleach-based colors can cause scalp irritation, hair thinning, and hair loss in some people. Also, such chemical-laden dyes may have long-term effects on your health.
Dr. Zeel Gandhi, Chief Ayurvedic doctor at Vedix, recommends avoiding chemical-dyeing or bleaching [1] on already damaged hair that is prone to breakage and split ends. Instead, she suggests to rely on natural hair dyes made of herbs.
What Are The Different Types Of Hair Dye?
1. Permanent Hair Dye
Such hair dyes stay forever while they work on the principle of oxidation. The primary ingredients of permanent hair dye are ammonia and oxidizing agents such as hydrogen peroxide in a 6% concentration. Your hair gets bleached with permanent hair dyes and they do not fade away with repeated hair washing. However, you may need to re-dye the newly uprooted hair every 4-6 weeks. You should do a patch test before applying permanent hair dye.
Studies claim that frequent usage of permanent hair dyes increases the risk of breast cancer in women [2].
2. Demi-Permanent Hair Dye
These dyes are ammonia-free but contain low concentrations (around 2%) of hydrogen peroxide, which bleaches your hair. However, demi-permanent hair dye won't bleach or lighten the natural melanin pigment present in your hair. In a way, demi-permanent dyes are useful when you have a mixture of grey hair and naturally dark hair. You can choose these dyes to hide your greys but not to change the shade of your natural hair color. They may also fade away after 12 to 28 hair washes.
Coming to safety, demi-permanent hair dyes are chemically milder and gentler than permanent dyes. However, they contain similar PPD derivatives [3] that permanent dyes have, which may cause allergic reactions on your scalp. You need to do a patch test before applying demi-permanent hair dye.
3. Semi-Permanent Hair Dye
Semi-permanent hair dye remains free from ammonia and hydrogen peroxide. These are the most suitable options for damaged and fragile hair. They can hide your grey hair as well as darken your natural hair color. Also, these dyes do not contain PPD derivatives and do not cause allergic reactions. However, they may fade away after 12-16 hair washes.
“Synthetic semi-permanent hair dye mostly contains nitro benzenes or nitro amines. Among natural semi-permanent hair dye, herbal options such as henna, indigo, and dyes in a combination of coffee, ginger, manjistha are well known in India since ancient ages,” says Dr. Zeel.
4. Gradual Hair Dye
These are metallic-aqueous solutions that gradually leave the dark shades of metal oxides or sulfides on your hair on repeated application over weeks. You can notice the gradual darkening of your hair from grey to light brown to burgundy. Also, these dyes do not contain PPD derivatives and are safer than permanent and demi-permanent dyes. However, these colors fade away easily with shampooing.
5. Temporary Hair Dye
Temporary hair colors contain pigments with larger molecules, which just coat your hair shaft externally instead of penetrating it. Hence, they are much useful to brighten your existing hair shade or to add an extra tint to it. Often, you can see people using temporary hair dyes in unusual shades such as blue, purple, gold, pink, etc. to highlight a few strands. However, these dyes do not stay longer and get washed away with one shampooing.
How To Dye Your Hair At Home Safely
Wish to hide your greys or give your hair a brand new look without spending excessive amounts of money? Dyeing your hair at home can be a great idea. However, to do it right and achieve salon-like results, follow the below-mentioned steps.
What You Need
- Shampoo
- Hair Dye
- The entire process may take up to 30-35 minutes approximately.
Step 1: Choose The Right Dye
For natural-looking results, choose a dye that is no more than two shades lighter or darker than your natural hair color.
Step 2: Shampoo Your Hair
Shampoo your hair two days before dyeing it. Do not condition your hair. This will allow your hair to develop natural oils, giving you natural-looking and long-lasting results.
Step 3: Dress Appropriately
Before dyeing, wear old clothes that you can discard. Wrap and cover your neck and shoulders with a towel to catch the drip of hair dye and avoid staining your neck. Apply Vaseline or lip balm on your upper neckline, frontal hairline and ears to avoid staining.
Step 4: Brush Your Hair
Brush your hair to detangle it. This will allow the dye to spread more evenly. Now, divide your hair into four parts.
Step 5: Mix & Apply
Put on rubber or latex gloves and mix the hair dye following the instructions given on the box. Divide your hair into smaller subsections and apply the mixed dye evenly. First-timers will need to apply the hair dye from 2-3cm above the hair roots. For a touch-up, you can start half-inch above your hair roots.
Step 6: Clean The Excess
Clean the excess dye from your forehead and neck using a wet wipe. Put on a shower cap. You can also wrap your head with a steamed towel over the cap to boost the dyeing intensity.
Step 7: Wash Your Hair
Leave on the hair dye only for the instructed amount of time. Do not exceed it. Later, rinse your hair thoroughly with lukewarm water, till it runs clear. Do not shampoo or condition this time. Squeeze out the excess water using a soft cotton towel and let your hair air dry.
Important Note:
You can also do a strand test before applying the dye to your entire hair. This way, you can evaluate the final shade your hair gets.
If you are not satisfied with your new hair color, then you can tweak it as per the steps mentioned below:
- If your hair becomes too dark, then add a spoon of baking soda to a clarifying shampoo and apply it on your wet hair. Leave it for five minutes before washing it.
- If your hair becomes too light, then re-dye your hair with the next shade that is darker than the one you used before.
- If your hair turns brassy, then you can tone down the warm tint by using a purple-based shampoo for a week or two.
- If you notice your hair turning green [4] after hair coloring due to chlorine exposure, then you can wash your hair immediately using a clarifying shampoo. You can also rinse your hair with ketchup as the red color in ketchup counteracts the green tone while the acidity helps in neutralizing the reaction of chlorine.
The Dos And Don'ts Of Dyeing Your Hair
Dos
1. Do choose ammonia-free hair dyes. You can also go for color-enhancing hair products that can make your ammonia-free hair dyes appear brighter.
2. Ensure you apply warm Ayurvedic oil to your hair and leave it for half an hour before head bath. This keeps your hair supple and soft.
3. Do condition your dyed hair every time you use a shampoo. You can also use leave-in-conditioners regularly.
4. Always go to bed with your hair wrapped.
5. Invest in the right hairbrush to prevent the hair color from fading. You can opt for a paddle brush for a sleek style or go for a round bristle brush for a voluminous look.
6. Always cover your hair with a scarf or hat when you go out in the sun. The UV rays [5] dehydrate your hair stands, which in turn makes the hair colors fade away faster.
Don’ts
1. Don’t use shampoo every day. Also, avoid using clarifying shampoos when you use a hair dye.
2. Avoid using too much hairspray as it strips off the shine from your hair. Instead, you can opt for a herbal hair serum.
3. Never wash your hair with hot water. Also, don’t let too much water run over your hair during your head bath.
4. Avoid using heat styling tools such as flat irons and curling rods as it increases hair breakage. You can use a ceramic grill blow dryer on low heat mode when you have time constraints to air dry your hair.
Vedix Tip: Once a week, rinse your dyed hair with chamomile tea at room temperature to retain the color for a longer time.
Should You Shampoo After Dying Hair?
Dr. Zeel recommends waiting for 2-3 days before shampooing your hair after using a hair dye. This gives your hair sufficient time to absorb the color and set. Also, limit your hair wash frequency to 2-3 times a week to make your hair color last longer. Preferably, use a mild herbal shampoo to cleanse your hair.
How Long Should A Hair Color Last?
Typically, any hair dye can last from 4 to 6 weeks. But, it also depends on the type of hair dye you use and how you maintain your hair after dyeing. You will start losing the intensity of hair dye as your hair grows out.
The Last Word
Initially, you might take time to master the art of dyeing your hair on your own. But, it can certainly get better with practice. Besides, you can always take someone’s help to get it right. Remember, it is always better to opt for natural colors than chemical dyes. Ayurveda has proven herbal formulations that dye as well as condition your hair simultaneously.
At Vedix, we understand your hair needs based on a dosha analysis quiz and customize an Ayurvedic hair care regimen most suitable for your hair type and concerns.
Know Your Dosha NowRecommended Products
Was this Article helpful?
- Least helpful
- Most helpful