is box dye bad for your hair

"As colorists, working with someone's hair that has been previously colored with box dye, you tend to steer clear for many reasons." Rob Peetoom, the founder of Dutch salon chain Rob Peetoom, says that going blonde usually stains hair in a totally unexpected way and often turns out dark and brassy. So scary, in fact, that some people grow up being told never to touch their own hair and to always opt for a salon. Play it safe. According to Baghaei, covering a small amount of grays (read: less than 20 to 30 percent of your hair) or matching your current hair color is typically doable. If you don't use the second box, you can always return it or use it next time. Similarly, Peetoom says that any time you want to make big changes to your hair color (like balayage, highlights, or bleaching), seek professional help instead of doing it on your own. If it helps, admit you … This can hurt your hair and scalp. They learn every possible scenario that can make a great hair color, and they learn how to fix hair color that doesn't go right. So, let’s think about this logically. And then there’s the biggest risk factor of all: Trying to go lighter or fully bleach your hair at home. Don't let that happen. The color is usually easy to mix with little to no measuring, though, it comes with no options to alter the pigmentation. Explain what happened (be brutally honest), and then let them do their job. Paul Labrecque is a celebrity hairstylist at Paul Labrecque Salon and Skincare Spa in NYC, Palm Beach, Florida, and Philadelphia. Mahshid Baghaei is a hair colorist at NYC-based mizu Louis Licari salon. If you truly must dye your hair at home, there are a few things to know. Home hair coloring can be a scary thing. As a result, an $8 box of hair color can easily turn into a $150 (or more) fix in the blink of an eye. “Colorists spend years training in application, color theory, and overall technique,” Arndt reminds. Purchase two boxes of color if your hair is long or very thick to ensure that you get even coverage. Read ALL of the instructions prior to using the color. “Always pick one color lighter than you think you should have because most DIY-colors are darker than they seem on the package. Rob Peetoom is the founder of Dutch salon chain Rob Peetoom, which has locations all over the world, including in NYC, Bali, and Amsterdam. Box dyes tend to contain a lot of pigments with ingredients for protection that are either absent or simply not as prominent as they may be in salon dyes. If you’re making a significant color change (going from blonde to black, for … You might even go blind. That way you’ll be able to get your hair done professionally for a fraction of the price (or even for free if you serve as the model). But with Clairol Natural Instincts, you can put all of your boxed dye fears at ease. Additionally, start thinking about the color and tone you want. And commit … Since non-hair professionals aren’t trained to know these things off the top of their head, Christine Arndt, a colorist at Baja Studio in NYC, says that, generally, people don’t apply enough box dye to fully saturate their hair. One size does not fit all. However, it's a myth that doing your hair color at home is always bad or dangerous. Refresh Your Hair Color. Mahshid Baghaei, a colorist at NYC-based mizu Louis Licari salon, says "Coloring your hair at home may seem like a good idea due to its potential cost-effectiveness, as well as not having to take a trip to the salon, but keep in mind that this process requires taking fine-grained details into consideration that may not always be recognized by a client's eye." Looking for a natural and non-toxic hair dye? Colorist Karissa Schaudt of Chicago's Maxine Salon added that you should also be wary of certain hair-dye ingredients. Additionally, Arndt says it’s safe to try your hand at box dye if you’re looking to go just slightly darker than your current hair color, or if you’re aiming to adjust the tone. Coloring your hair at home can be intimidating, especially if you're worried about damaging your strands. “The finished result is splotchy and uneven, resulting in a cheaper, very DIY look,” she says. In other words, box color doesn't discriminate. 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"As colorists, working with someone's hair that has been previously colored with box dye, you tend to steer clear for many reasons.". Home hair color (also known as hair dye or box color) can be purchased at your local drug store, beauty supply, or discount store. When you put box dye on your hair, it is permanent and these chemicals do not come out until the hair is cut off. If you're thinking about doing the latter, there are a few things you should probably know first. Plus, we recommend you wait about 24 hours after normally washing your curls. Hair color will stain just about anything it touches (even the semi-permanent stuff). If you're new to coloring your hair at home, you should choose a temporary, semi-permanent, or demi-permanent color whenever possible over permanent. Have Fun with Your Color. The ingredient that tends to be so harsh on your hair is ammonia, so frankly, the less ammonia in a product, the better. China keeps promising Africa coronavirus vaccines. When you have 50 percent or more gray hair, get a professional color service to be sure you get equal gray coverage and that your hair doesn't take on any unwanted tones that commonly occur with gray hair. With all those risks in mind, you might be running for the hills—but hey, don’t totally write off the affordable hair color just yet. Is it really bad to use hair dye from a box or is the hairstylist just trying to get your money? How to Apply Coconut Oil to Hair, According to a Hairstylist. Is boxed hair color safe to use? Microsoft may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through recommended links in this article. Kendra is a cosmetologist and contributing writer for Byrdie with a speciality in hair. Keep scrolling to learn everything there is to know about box dyes, as well as why you might want to think twice before using one. Professional stylists have a vast knowledge of hair color tones, levels, and how to achieve them. So yes, when in doubt, stylists want you to be honest about box dye. Though, there are risks. But while there are tons of people out there who only consult the pros for their basic hair needs, others like to take the DIY route and color their hair using box dye. 3. It's typically fairly inexpensive ($5 to $20) and it almost always comes with instructions on how to apply the color at home. Although this is an extremely common ingredient in the hair-dye industry, using it is ultimately a tradeoff; the powerful chemical damages your hair in the process. If you have an upcoming event and don’t have time to see your hair colorist, a box of temporary hair color might be the solution to dull-looking hair. One of the biggest reasons why boxed hair dye is bad is you can often tell it’s … If you're covering some gray, or want to change your hair one to two shades up or down, or just want to change your tone, you can likely do it at home. Home hair color can be messy. After you've dyed your hair, you should follow that with a bonding treatment like Olaplex No. Colors described as "warm", "honey", or "gold" are warm colors. “Work in small sections, from the front moving to the back of the head in case you need to rinse a section off before the other areas,” Arndt instructs. Just keep in mind that if you do decide to use a box dye, the color of hair on the person on the box is not the exact color that your hair will turn out. Additionally, Arndt says it’s safe to try your hand at box dye if you’re looking to go just slightly darker than your current hair color, or if you’re aiming to adjust the tone. It's like the difference between using a Sharpie or a pencil on a white wall. “[Trying to color your hair yourself] isn’t as easy as imagined and you may end up spending hundreds of dollars in correcting the color, not to mention compromising the integrity of your hair in the process, when it could have been a simple process in the first place.”. Never use hair dye to dye your eyebrows or eyelashes. Some newer hair dye products are vegetable based. It's not always clear how your new color will react with the old, and your hairstylist will know. At-home hair-dyeing sessions have skyrocketed in the last few months due to safety concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, and with talk of another potential shutdown happening before the year is up, it's easy to see why most folks will end up taking the at-home route. 4. And using hair products that are bad for your health can damage your hair and exacerbate other health issues. "In my professional opinion, I would avoid any color that contains ammonia in the developer," she said. This includes determining which product you should choose to deliver your expected results, as well as how much dye to put on and how long to let it process. But while there are tons of people out there who only consult the pros for their basic hair needs, others like to take the DIY route and colour their hair using box dye. Ammonia-Free Dyes Still Lift Your Cuticles. So my young DDs look nice if they put a chestnut or golden dye over their naturally healthy young mid brown hair and older friends who are totally grey can look lovely with a silver dye that brightens things up. “So when going lighter, what ends up happening is, if it’s applied all at once, the ends come out significantly darker than the roots, creating a very odd and unnatural finish,” she explains. A 2004 study suggested that there might be an increased risk of bladder cancer for people who dye their hair: “Overall, odds ratios (of getting bladder cancer) were somewhat elevated among women who began using hair dye after 1975, used dyes for more than 31 years and who used hair dyes more than 282 times.”. Is A Hairstylist Trying To Get Your Money? Colors described as "ash" or "beige" are cool hair colors. The truth is, chemical-laden hair dyes can irritate your scalp and cause hair thinning or loss in some people — while the long-term health effects are not yet known. Like us on Facebook to see similar stories, COVID-19 vaccine could be heading to the black market. At the end of the day, it is far better to spend an extra 10 minutes reading the box than to spend three hours having your orange hair fixed. You can also use temporary hair color to refresh faded hair color. So if you want a dark blonde shade, pick a medium blonde tint,” Peetoom suggests. Hair-color changes are extremely common around this time of year, since there's something about fall and winter that encourages people to shift over to dark, matte tones when the weather gets chilly. Here are some reasons why box color is bad for your hair: It’s a lot stronger than professional hair color, which causes more damage. I could go on and on but the fact is, if you color at home, it is my belief that at some point, you will run into trouble. Once you feel ready to apply, do so generously to ensure full coverage. “Creating the right hair color is really chemistry, determined by what’s already on your hair and its health and unique porosity,” says celebrity hairstylist Paul Labrecque. As such, you have to be super mindful of how long you leave it on your hair so as to not end up with a beauty catastrophe. "Box dye is one of those taboo subjects when it comes to color sessions and salon topics," celebrity hairstylist Christin Brown told POPSUGAR. The takeaway here? The dye itself is typically a more concentrated formulation than salon hair color because the color has to be strong enough to work on anyone's hair. While box dye isn't the worst thing in the world, many professional hairstylists would suggest you steer clear of it if you can. You may have heard that drugstore hair dyes are inferior or harsher than the dyes used in salons, but that generally isn’t true. Arndt tacks onto this, noting that this happens because the hair's mid-shafts and ends process much slower than the roots. Never mix different hair dye products. Four to six weeks later you will get to repeat the process to keep up the results. We Asked a Pro. Women who colored their hair with permanent dye at least once a … So, ammonia is needed to lift the cuticle of your hair and … The tube of conditioner in the box leaves your hair feeling silky and looking shiny. Show full articles without "Continue Reading" button for {0} hours. If you have jet black hair naturally and used box dye at the roots to cover grays without sharing that fact with your stylist, chances are good they’re going to have a more challenging time lifting that pigment from your hair. 0 Intensive Bond Building Hair Treatment ($28) to strengthen the hair and protect it from damage. That's a photoshopped image—it's approximate. If you’re among the millions of American women (and men) who dye their hair regularly, you may be exposing yourself to dangerous chemicals that damage hair and skin. Get some old towels out (because they will likely get ruined), wear an old shirt that you don't care about, and watch for drips and spills. But while there are tons of people out there who only consult the pros for their basic hair needs, others like to take the DIY route and color their hair using box dye. Eventually they will go black and will be very hard to remove. According to Brown, professional color and box color don't mix well, and people who dye their hair at home run the risk of overprocessing it. If you continue to color your hair dark, youre layering the color on top each time making the ends much darker. You just have to go into the experience with a little knowledge. Lastly, never dye over already-dyed hair if you don't know what dye was used. One of her personal recommendations is the Hair Paint Wax Temporary Color ($7), which is made of natural ingredients and easy to wash out. Box Dye Will Leave Hair Brittle, Dry, and Feel Like Straw = Overall Ruined Integrity. However, by not being tailored to hair type, that’s where potential risks come into play. This can hurt your eyes. Sometimes, no matter how careful you are, after the color is rinsed your hair just might not turn out the way you envisioned. The formula is ammonia-free and boasts a blend of coconut oil, aloe, and vitamins to condition the hair. Ever missed a spot? These are all harsh chemicals that can be extremely damaging to the hair as well as cause reactions to sensitive skin and allergies. This means the formula is the same, no matter how thin, thick, coarse, dark, light, highlighted, color-treated, or chemically processed your hair is at the time of application. "A skilled colorist will take into consideration aspects such as skin tone, eye color, hair texture, hair density, and hair porosity and can predict which color would best suit their client's needs," Baghaei says. Tip: If the price is the reason you're considering box dye over heading to the salon, Arndt recommends looking into a salon’s junior colorist or asking to be a model in the salon’s color apprentice program. Is Box Hair Dye Really Bad For Your Hair? When searching for a gentle hair dye, be sure to read the box … Your appointment could take considerably longer or the process could require multiple visits. Coloring Hair Risk #2: Frequency The number of times you dye your hair may increase your cancer risk. Cut down on other things but when it comes to your hair, get it done correctly. But where are they? No, it's actually good for your hair! Call your hairstylist. One size does not fit all. People who have only used box dye in their lifetime assume hair color is just overall damaging and they chalk it up to being the norm. Today I put box dye to the test. Yet, if your locks get extra shiny following only one day (in other words, when it’s really greasy), think about rinsing it fast before applying your hair dye. Christine Arndt is a hair colorist at Baja Studio in NYC. Then read them again. While hair coloring is a science, it's not exact and even the safest hair coloring can go wrong with no rhyme or reason to it. Ahead, the best box dyes and colors that are safe for your hair and body (plus, the ingredients you should avoid). The result is hair that looks radiant with enhanced color and shine. I consider box color to be “one size fits all”. I have always been curious if this stuff actually works. According to Baghaei, covering a small amount of grays (read: less than 20 to 30 percent of your hair) or matching your current hair color is typically doable. And if it's your first time doing this, you might want to start off in pencil. Your hair will feel thicker and fuller. "More specifically, it’s safe if you’re using semi/demi-permanent color at home because they fade away much more softly than permanent color and are also way less damaging as they usually deposit only and don’t alter the natural hair shaft,” she explains. Box color is formulated so everyone and … One Size Does Not Fit All. Think About Your Brows. IME box dye jobs only look good on people whose hair is pretty much one colour all over. 0 Intensive Bond Building Hair Treatment. Box dyes can have something called metallic salts in them, very hard to get out of your hair. First, Brown recommends you read all of the instructions in the coloring kit carefully, make sure you closely follow said instructions, and don't leave the dye on for any longer than you're supposed to. 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