To Colour or not? Part 2: What you Need to Know

While colouring hair is fun, there are may be side effects that you need to be aware of. The symptoms and damage caused by hair colour may not always show up immediately. It may take up to several days or even weeks after the hair colouring service.

Some of the effects of colouring hair include:

• Allergic reactions to hair dye caused by a reaction to the colour ingredients. Your hairdresser should perform a patch test 24hrs to the service.
• Your hair may become brittle making it prone to breakage. It also strips moisture from hair leaving it dull and dry. Note that colouring your hair calls for more hair treatments, and extra care when heat styling.
• The colour may irritate your skin and cause reactions like redness and flaky skin, itchiness and discomfort.
• Cancer laboratory experiments have proven that some ingredients found in colour can cause cancer although they are yet to establish whether the small amount of the ingredients found in hair dyes are capable of causing such damage.
• Numerous studies have shown that hairstylists, who have a much higher exposure to hair colours, are more vulnerable to getting skin allergies and contract asthma.

When it comes to taking care of your coloured hair, here are some tips that will go a long way into maintaining healthy hair.

• Chose a colour with conditioning properties.Ammonia-free hair colour is a great professional option that treats hair with TLC.
• Red hair colours tend to fade faster. Ask your colourist to use a hair colour that maximizes high-definition colour results with minimum stress to the hair’s cuticle.
• Shampoo your hair less frequently. This will help your colour last longer and help maintain its health.
• Use lukewarm water when shampooing as hot water strips the colour because it opens the surface of the hair strand, which causes the dye molecules to escape.
• Use a deep conditioning treatment every week. Treatment will help your colour look shinier and more even.
• Use a colour-protecting shampoo to help your colour last longer and help maintain the health of your processed hair.
• Use a leave-in treatment to help detangle your hair and protect it from heat damage.
• Maintain a healthy diet. Nutrients from a healthy diet provide the energy that fuels hair growth and lustre
• Use Less Heat on Your Hair as it’s more susceptible to damage. Avoid overuse of heated implements.
• Avoid Chlorine on Colour-Treated Hair as these chemicals can build up on the hair and alter the original hair colour.
• Don’t Colour Your Hair Too Frequently
• Don’t Colour and use other chemicals at the same time. Space the two treatments by a week.

As much as colouring your hair can be fun, you must weigh the pros and cons of getting your hair coloured. Discuss with your colourist whether you are ready to take the challenge or you want to stay away from them for good.