Is your hair dying because of dyeing?

  1. Ideally choose a colour that is within 3 shades of your original hair color Remember, lighter the hair color more the damage. This is because as the hair colour becomes lighter, increased quantities of peroxide (bleach) is used!
  2. Apply away from the hair roots In the long run, the chemicals present in hair colour can affect the hair roots and cause oxidative damage which can possibly lead to premature greying of hair.
  3. Use ammonia free and PPD free hair colours These prevent the development of Contact Allergic dermatitis (CAD.) CAD is a very common cause for discontinuation of hair colour. Because once you develop allergy to an ingredient, it stays for life!
  4. Make sure your Mehendi's are truly chemical free Many mehendis (under the guise of being natural) have colourants and PPD. Kali mehendi is one such product. SO READ THE CONTENTS OF THE PACK YOU ARE USING. It is good to be aware of what product you are using on your hair. If you ask me,  I feel the mehendi gets deposited on the hair shaft and stays on thus leading to dry hair. Plus, just because it's mehendi doesn't mean it's always PURELY HERBAL and safe. Always read the pack contents!
  5. Pre-conditioning is important Any colour is going to damage your hair. So preconditioning with plain pure coconut oil just 30 minutes before a head bath works wonders. It helps repair the already and permanently damaged coloured hair cuticle.
  6. Shampooing? Use sulfate free shampoos. Coloured hair is damaged and dry hair no matter how 'good' or 'expensive' the product you've used. Shampoos with the word laureth or lauryl sulfate all cause lathering and this lathering causes further dryness of the hair shaft leading to frizzy and dry hair. 
  7. Post-conditioning is equally important Use a good conditioner post shampooing. Apply and keep the conditioner on for at least 5 minutes. On weekdays and holidays... apply and keep for as long as 20 to 30 minutes. This helps in 'deep' conditioning of the hair. Helps in restoring the cuticle damage.

So all you would-be blondies and redheads and turquoise heads...

Think before you Dye! ;)