Things You Should Know Before Dyeing Your Hair at Home

Considering dyeing your hair at home? Whether you desire a fresh appearance or wish to save on salon expenses, embarking on a DIY hair colouring journey can be an exciting and fulfilling experience. 

In this blog post, we present 10 essential tips for achieving successful DIY hair colouring. These valuable guidelines will provide you with the necessary knowledge and direction to ensure effective home colour treatments.

By adhering to these tips, you can enhance your chances of achieving a stunning new hair colour and enjoy a positive experience throughout the process.

Consider Your Natural Hair Color And Texture

Before dyeing your hair, examine its natural colour and texture. This will help you determine which product gives the results—the shade of colour or style—that best works with your features.

Using a hair dye that is designed for dark-haired people will make your results look better than if you used one made for light colours. These dyes, with their heightened pigment content, interact effectively with dark hair, resulting in a more vibrant and pronounced colour than lighter alternatives.

Conversely, individuals with fine or damaged hair must exercise caution and select a gentler, less damaging product. Fine hair tends to absorb hair dye rapidly, potentially leading to a darker shade than anticipated. Therefore, opting for a milder formula can mitigate the risk of excessive processing and minimize damage to delicate strands. When aiming for a lighter shade, understanding your natural hair colour and texture becomes even more crucial.

If you have dark hair and aspire to achieve a significantly lighter hue, bleach or high-lift hair dye might be necessary. Conversely, individuals with lighter hair can attain their desired colour using a less intense dye or toner. 

It is critical to thoroughly research and select a hair dye that matches your natural hair colour and texture, to have a satisfying experience dyeing your hair at home. You can confidently proceed with colouring your hair and achieve the desired results by selecting the right product.

Understand the Type of Dye You Wish to Use

For a successful at-home hair colouring experience, it's essential to have a thorough understanding of the type of dye you intend to use.

Your choice of dye can significantly influence the results and your overall satisfaction.

Hair dyes fall into three main categories of permanence: semi-permanent, permanent, and temporary.

Each category offers its unique advantages and disadvantages that should be carefully weighed before making a decision.

Semi-permanent dyes create a temporary colour alteration that endures between two and eight weeks. These dyes don't penetrate the hair shaft deeply; rather, they rest on top of it and gradually fade with time. While less damaging than permanent alternatives, they still enhance your hair's shine and vibrancy. (1)

Permanent dyes, which produce a more lasting and all-encompassing colour change than do semi-permanent or temporary colours, cover grey hair effectively. They tend to last for only one or two weeks as they fade away completely.

However, it's important to note that permanent dyes are more harmful because they contain chemicals. If you're looking for a change that is not permanent but allows flexibility—temporary dyes are great choice.

These dyes are applied to the hair, and they don’t have a very long life—usually lasting about one to two weeks. They offer an exciting opportunity for people who want new colours but don’t like commitment: no need for visiting a salon or involving professionals.

Conduct a Patch Test

To safeguard yourself and reduce the chances of allergic reactions, it is imperative to perform a patch test prior to using any hair dye. This straightforward yet vital step enables you to identify any sensitivities to the dye's components, allowing you to take necessary precautions.

To execute a patch test, dab a tiny quantity of the hair dye on a hidden area of skin, such as the inside of your elbow. Allow it to remain for 24-48 hours, closely monitoring for indications of itching, redness, inflammation, or discomfort. If you encounter any negative reactions during this time, it is highly advised to refrain from using the hair dye.

For those with sensitive skin or a history of hair dye allergies, exercising caution is even more critical. It is recommended to seek the advice of a dermatologist or hair care specialist before applying the dye to your entire head of hair. They can offer professional insights on appropriate alternatives or additional measures to guarantee your safety and reduce the likelihood of unwanted reactions. (2)

Protect Your Hairline And Clothing

To avoid staining your skin and clothing, take precautions during the hair colouring process. Apply petroleum jelly or a similar product around your hairline to protect yourself from dye stains. To avoid staining your new shirt or hands, wear an old shirt and protective gloves.

Timing Is Crucial

The timing of the hair dye application is important to achieve the desired colour and avoid damaging your hair. If you're using a standard box mix, leave it on for at least 20 minutes; if you use individual dyes or a salon-brand product, wait 30 minutes—and up to an hour in some cases.

It's important to read the instructions on the hair dye box carefully, and set a timer so you don't leave it in too long or not long enough.

If you leave the dye in too long, your hair may become overprocessed and damaged. If you don't leave it on long enough, your hair won’t be as dark as desired—so timing is important when colouring your locks.

Proper Application Techniques

Applying hair colour with the right techniques can help to make a big difference when colouring at home. Be sure to follow instructions carefully and apply an even layer of dye from roots to ends—but avoid common mistakes like applying too much or leaving out sections.

Thorough Rinsing And Conditioning

After applying hair dye, rinse your head until the water runs clear. Then apply a conditioner and let it sit for two minutes before rinsing again with lukewarm water.

Use a conditioner designed for colour-treated hair to keep your colour vibrant and protect the health of your tresses.

If you are concerned that your hair color is fading too quickly, try switching to a hair shampoo and hair conditioner —they will help maintain the brightness of your locks for longer periods.

Prepare For Maintenance

To keep the colour of your hair consistent, it's important to touch up your roots every 4-6 weeks. Touching up keeps you from having 'new growth' that looks different from the rest of your hair .

To prolong the life of your hair colour, use shampoo and conditioner formulated for coloured hair. Additionally, avoid using excessive heat styling — it can cause damage that will fade the colour before its time.

Have A Backup Plan

Even with careful preparation and proper technique, there's always a chance that something could go wrong when colouring your hair at home. So if you don't achieve the desired results—have a backup plan.

If you run into problems with your colour, keep a box of colour remover or semi-permanent hair dye on hand so that you can fix the problem.

Consider Consulting A Professional

If you are uncertain about dyeing your hair on your own or have encountered difficulties in the past, it is advisable to seek the advice of a professional hairstylist. They can assist you in selecting the most suitable hair colour and hair care product and provide valuable guidance throughout the entire process. While it may involve additional expenses, considering this option is worthwhile if you intend to dye your hair at home.

Conclusion

Colouring your hair at home can be a delightful and satisfying experience if done correctly. By taking into account your natural hair colour and texture, selecting the appropriate dye, performing a patch test, safeguarding your hairline and clothing, timing the application accurately, employing proper application techniques, rinsing and conditioning effectively, preparing for maintenance, having a backup plan, and considering professional advice when needed, you can achieve a beautiful salon-quality hair colour in the comfort of your own home.

FAQs

Q: What are the consequences of leaving hair dye on for an excessive duration?

A: Leaving hair dye on for too long can lead to permanent damage due to overprocessing.

Q: How long should I wait after colouring my hair before shampooing it?

A: Wait for a minimum of 24-48 hours after colouring your hair before you shampoo it. Washing your hair too soon can cause the dye to fade and lose its intensity.

Q: How do I prepare my hair before dyeing?

A: You hair must be adequately moisturised before dyeing. Steer clear of conditioners that contain alcohol, as they can strip moisture from your hair. Presence of silicons or parabens in hair care products may cause adverse effects on the hair dyeing process and the overall health of your hair. These ingredients may prevent the dye from fully saturating your hair's shafts, affecting its ability to take colour. So better avoid them.

Q: How can I make my hair colour last longer?

A: To make your hair colour last longer, use shampoos and conditioners made for dyed hair.

To prevent colour fading, avoid exposure to sunlight, chlorine and saltwater.

Additionally, washing your hair with lukewarm or cool water rather than hot can help maintain the vibrancy of a colour treatment.