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With the continuous growth of at-home hair dyeing kits, more people are wondering how often they should color their hair. After all, if done improperly, hair coloring can cause serious damage to your locks.
To keep your hair healthy and looking its best, it’s important to understand what experts recommend in terms of how often you should color your hair. Aside from using a good hair repair system like Olaplex, the frequency of coloring will depend on the type of dye you’re using and your hair’s condition, there are a few general guidelines that will help you decide on the best plan for you.
Overview of Hair Coloring
Whether you’re going for a subtle, natural look or trying to achieve a bold, daring new style, coloring your hair can achieve almost any look you want. It can also be a great way to cover up any grays that show up once you hit your 30s.
When you color your hair, you’re applying a chemical solution to your hair, or even just to a portion of your hair. This penetrates the cuticle, the outermost layer of your hair, helping to color your hair and make it look more vibrant.
Hair coloring can be done in a few different ways, including by using a permanent, semi-permanent, or temporary dye. Permanent hair dye is used to change the color of your hair completely, while semi-permanent hair color is used to cover up gray hairs or add a little extra color. Temporary hair dye is used to add highlights to your hair, rather than changing its color completely.
There are also hundreds of colors to choose from. Many people love 613 hair color for its light blonde color, and copper brown hair color is nearly as popular along with cajun spice hair color, but consider what style you’re looking for and you’ll find the right dye.
Tips for Protecting Your Hair When You Color It
No matter how often you decide to color your hair, it’s important to take the necessary steps to protect your hair while you do so. Whether you’re dyeing at home by yourself or going to a salon, a hair repair system like Olaplex has the proteins needed to resurrect dry and damaged hair.
If you’re dyeing your hair at home, make sure you follow the directions carefully to reduce the risk of damaging your hair. If you’re visiting a salon, ask the stylist what steps they’re taking to ensure your hair remains healthy while they apply the dye.
For those who are coloring your hair at home, make sure to use a rubber band when sectioning off your hair and be careful not to get dye on your scalp or ears. You may also want to consider wearing gloves to protect your hands. After you’ve applied the dye, be sure to thoroughly rinse your hair and let it air dry. This will help rinse out any excess product and protect your hair from further damage.
Types of Hair Dyes
Permanent hair dyes are the most common type of dye. They’re applied to your entire head, and they last for several weeks. While some people see them as being more effective than other types of dyes, that’s not always the case — and it’s also why many people don’t like using permanent dyes. They often require multiple applications every few weeks, which can be time-consuming and messy. They also have a tendency to damage hair, especially if you don’t apply them properly.
Temporary hair dyes are great for highlighting certain areas of hair without changing the color of your entire head. They’re applied to the surface of your hair and will wash out within a few washes, so they’re much easier to use than permanent dyes. However, they’re not as effective at changing the color of your hair, and they don’t last nearly as long as permanent dyes.
How Often You Should Color Your Hair
As mentioned above, the first thing to consider when determining how often you should color your hair is the type of dye you’re using. This will help you better assess how your hair will react to the dye and determine how often you can safely use it.
Permanent dyes are applied to your entire head, so they’re used less frequently than other hair dyes, such as semi-permanent dyes, that are applied to one area of your hair. This means that you should be able to safely use permanent dyes every three to six months.
You may be able to use semi-permanent dyes even more frequently, as they’re applied to individual areas of hair and won’t affect your entire head. However, you may want to avoid this if your hair is particularly damaged.
Factors that Affect Hair Dyeing Frequency
There are several factors that will affect how often you can dye your hair. One of the main things to consider is the condition of your hair. If you have extremely dry or damaged hair, you’ll want to wait a bit longer between dyeing your hair. This will give your hair time to recover.
You may also want to wait longer if you have a sensitive scalp. Your scalp can become irritated from the chemicals in hair dye, particularly if you’re not careful applying it. If you have very fine hair, you may be able to dye your hair more often, as fine hair is more delicate and can easily become damaged from frequent dyeing.
While curling and styling your hair is safe, especially with products like BabylissPro and Drybar, using too much heat can be a problem. Make sure that you’re using quality hair straighteners when working with your hair.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Coloring Your Hair
If you’re new to dyeing your hair, there are a few mistakes that you may want to avoid. The first is forgetting to protect your skin. While it’s important to protect your hair during dyeing, it’s also crucial to protect your skin from any dye that may spill or drip. Be sure to use a barrier cream to protect your skin and clothing.
It’s also important to pay careful attention to the instructions on the dye bottle. They’re there for a reason, and following them will help you avoid common mistakes. If you’re new to dyeing your hair at home, it may be a good idea to try a less damaging hair dye first, such as a semi-permanent dye. This will allow you to practice dyeing your hair at home and will help you avoid damaging your hair, which may make it easier to transition to a more permanent dye later on.
What to do if You’ve Damaged Your Hair With Dye
If you’ve accidentally damaged your hair from dyeing it too often, it may be time to cut your losses and start fresh. You can do this by getting a full hair color change or even just a partial dye job. You can also consider using a toner, which can help neutralize and reduce the appearance of unwanted color.
If you’ve damaged your hair from using a certain type of dye, you can look for a dye that’s gentler on hair, such as a semi-permanent dye, which is less damaging than permanent dyes. If your hair has become dry and brittle, you may want to try deep conditioning to help bring it back to life.
You can also use a heat protectant when styling your hair to minimize damage, such as damage from blow drying. You can also try avoiding certain products, such as shampoos and conditioners that are heavy on chemicals.
Alternatives to Hair Coloring
If you’ve considered dyeing your hair but want to avoid the damage associated with coloring it, there are a few alternative solutions you can try.
One option is to use a hair dye remover. This will help strip your hair of any unwanted color and allow you to go back to your original color. You can also try using a hair color shield, which can help protect your hair from the damage that coloring it can cause.
If you’re looking for a different style, you can also consider getting a perm, which can help you achieve a different look without dyeing your hair. You can also try a hair weave or extensions, which can help you change up your style without having to dye your hair.
Professional Advice on Hair Coloring
If you’re considering dyeing your hair, it’s always a good idea to talk to a stylist. They can help you decide what type of dye is best for your hair type and offer suggestions on how often you should color your hair. They can also help you protect your hair while coloring it and offer advice on how to fix any damage you may have caused.