Changing your hair color can be a way to give yourself a great new look or just an easy way to give your current color a boost of shine, depth and energy. If you have never colored before getting just the look you want is easier if you understand a little more about hair color basics.
Factors that Affect Hair Coloring Success
The term porosity refers to your hair’s ability to absorb moisture. Everyone’s hair is different in this respect and how porous your hair is can affect just how well your hair will “take” color. If your hair is very porous the color may not be as intense as you expect or quite the shade you anticipated either.
Hair texture makes a difference as well. Thick, coarse hair has a tendency to resist dyes and again, the end result may not quite be what you had expected.
These variables are some of the reasons why if you have never dyed or colored your hair before having a professional do it the first time really is the best idea. Home coloring is cheap and easy but a professional stylist will be able to look at your hair type and make recommendations for the right type of color for your hair so that you get the kind of results you are hoping for, rather than hoping for the best!
Types of Hair Color
There are several different types of hair color you can choose from as well (to make the process slightly more complicated!)
Temporary Hair Color – Temporary hair color is a wash out solution that usually does not last for more than a few shampoos. Its great for women who just like to boost their own hair color once in a while without making any long term commitments.
Temporary hair color itself contains large color molecules that adhere themselves to the outer part of the hair shaft but do not penetrate it in any way.
Semi Permanent Hair Color – Semi permanent hair color is designed to last for 4 to 8 shampoos. It is a little longer lasting than temporary color because it contains a mixture of large and small color molecules. The smaller ones penetrate the cuticle layer of the hair while the larger ones coat the outside.
Demi Permanent Color – This type of color lasts for about 6 weeks and offers a bigger change without too much commitment.
Permanent Hair Color – All of the hair dye types above can change your hair color in fairly subtle ways but the only way to get a drastic hair color change – especially if you want to go blonde – is opt for a permanent hair color.
This type of hair color works by actually changing the structure of your hair. It contains ammonia which “opens up” the cuticle layer of the hair shaft to allow small color molecules to penetrate the cortex of the hair and actually lighten (or darken) the hair pigment itself.
Permanent hair color is a big commitment and one that does require some thought. There are lots and lots of options on the drugstore shelves but if you have never taken this kind of big step before again, a visit to a salon might be the best idea. Too many people have ended up with green hair unexpectedly when they expected blonde, or purple hair when they expected brown!
Bio: Elena is a hair care expert with a special interest in hair color and hair health. She loves to write about hair and share her knowledge as well as interact with other people and learn from them as well. You can find the latest hair color ideas on her site hairspiration.org