Keeping Your Colored Hair Healthy

Keeping Your Colored Hair Healthy

black hair with cloringIf you are like most ladies, you desire a little change or shall I say, spicing up of your look from time to time. Many women want  this new desired transformation to take place without a drastic hair cut or some form of  plastic surgery. Some women opt to color due to the fact that Mother Nature has graced them with her presence and given her the gift of silvery streaks throughout. Whatever the reason, the option to color or streak our hair as women usually prevails. Coloring your hair can be a huge step, especially if you are using permanent color which of course contains harsh and potentially damaging chemicals. If you choose to color your hair there are certain steps that you must take to ensure success and to avoid damage.

The ingredients found in hair dyes are extremely potent and restrictive to your hair’s future. When you actually take a moment and consider the fact that two things must occur for your hair’s color to be altered, it should make things clearer. Those two steps involve oxidizing and lightening. Hydrogen peroxide oxidizes and ammonia lightens the hair. These two ingredients work together to arrive at the finished product of dyed hair. Of course, the length of time that you allow the product to stay on, will determine how light or dark your color will be. This can be the differing factor in whether you just go a shade or two lighter than your natural hair color, or become bleach blonde. An important piece of advice, take heed to the product’s instructions. Severe damage can take place if you leave the product on beyond the suggested time.

When you hair is dyed, it is being stripped of its natural oils and moisture. The first critical step before even coloring is to deep condition your hair a few weeks in advance prior to the procedure. The stronger and better conditioned your hair is pre-coloring, the less likely you will experience damage. However, the deep conditioning treatments don’t stop there, you need to incorporate into your regimen a deep conditioning treatment at least once weekly after you have dyed.

Maintaining healthy colored hair also means keeping your hair and scalp clean. Weekly washings are recommended. Use quality shampoos and be sure to follow up with a quality conditioner for your penetrating treatment. Once again, this will replace moisture loss from washing, as washing also strips your hair of oils. Cowashing, or washing with conditioner, is also a great technique for replacing moisture for color treated hair. Just be sure to establish a good regimen for your hair and stick to it.

Things that may have been acceptable in your pre-dye days, may no longer be acceptable now that your hair is in a weakened state due to harsh chemicals. Skipping a deep conditioning treatment could mean major hair loss. Trimmings must be maintained regularly as your ends dictate. Remember split ends travel and will only create a snowball effect leading to disaster and more breakage. It is recommended to see a professional stylist for trimming. If you opt to trim your own hair, invest in a quality pair of shears.

Finally, avoid overlapping chemicals. If your hair is chemically relaxed/processed, avoid dying for at least 6 weeks to avert over processing.

Keep your overall self healthy and hydrated. Your hair is a tell tale sign of whether or not you’re in good health. Drink 64 ounces of water a day and your hair will thank you for it. Eat a diet high in fiber and exercise regularly. Your color treated hair will benefit from a healthy lifestyle. You can rock a beautiful head of hair with color as long as you take every necessary precaution to keep it that way.

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About the Author

Dena is the owner of blackhairplanet.com and is a full time writer of black hair care blog and admin of the hair care forum.

Comments

  1. Mahogany says:

    I appreciate your knowledge. I have been thinking about coloring my coils, but I am worried about the damage it may cause in the long run. This is a great article, it will help lots when it comes time for me to make my decision. Thanks

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