Technical Hair Services
Safely Dyeing Your Hair
To change your hair's shade, lighten its color, adopt a bold style, or cover gray hair, many women use home hair coloring products. Easy to use, they need to follow some usage rules to enjoy them safely.
Types of Hair Dyes According to Purpose
There are three types of hair dyes, distinguished by their coloring power and the resistance of the obtained color:
- Oxidation coloring or permanent coloring: The coloring product is combined with hydrogen peroxide and may contain ammonia. The "tone on tone" version contains less hydrogen peroxide and often does not contain ammonia.
- Direct coloring or semi-permanent coloring: The dye is combined with a cosmetic product like shampoo, mousse, etc. The color fades after 4 to 8 shampoos.
- Temporary coloring: The dye is combined with a cosmetic product like lotion, mousse, etc. The coloring is superficial and is removed with the first shampoo.
Other, much older techniques include:
- Vegetal dye: Mostly henna powder or other plant-based dye, sometimes combined with oxidation dyes or metals.
- Metal salt-based coloring: Based on bismuth, iron, copper, or aluminum. This type of coloring is not very common in Europe.
You can find on the European Commission's website the list of chemicals that should not be used in the composition of hair dyes.
Risks of Hair Coloring
Hair dyes are chemical products developed for hair. There is a risk of irritation upon contact with the skin, eyes, or mucous membranes.
- Splashes in the eyes: Since hair coloring is done close to the eyes, splashes are possible. Rinse thoroughly with warm water for at least 10 minutes while lifting the eyelid to avoid the risk of corneal irritation. If discomfort persists for more than 30 minutes, consult an ophthalmologist.
- Skin staining: This risk is more aesthetic than for health. To avoid staining your hands during the process, use gloves. Most of the time, they are provided in the hair dye package.
- Contact dermatitis: Some sensitive individuals may react to contact with an oxidizing color. Test before dyeing to prevent any allergic reaction.
Precautions for Safely Dyeing Hair
Read the instructions carefully before applying your color and follow the instructions: product preparation, application method, exposure time, rinsing.
- Do not apply the dye if the scalp is irritated or has dandruff. You may feel a burning or tingling sensation.
- Before using a product for the first time, test it (for example, on the wrist) 2 or 3 days before applying the dye. This time will allow you to anticipate any allergic reaction.
- Respect the indicated application time and rinse your hair thoroughly after the specified time.
- If you feel burning or itching during coloring, rinse your hair immediately.
- Do not attempt to color anything other than hair (lashes, eyebrows, etc.) with a hair coloring product or make a temporary tattoo on the skin.
- Keep your coloring products out of the reach of children.
- Do not mix products with each other or with other substances.
- Use the gloves provided with the product.
- In case of product splashes or spills, use a sponge and rinse abundantly with water.
- Never use oxidation dye after dyeing with metallic salts, as there is a risk of an exothermic reaction (strong heat release) that can damage the hair.
- Keep the packaging for 1 month. The information contained here is useful in case of an allergic reaction.