Dye and damage prevention

[chantecler]

Hey! So, I got convinced that I want to dye my hair dark purple. I've been thinking about it for a few weeks, and I think it would be great to do while I'm young and free to experiment with my style. Now, I'll probably use a semi-permanent box colour and I won't bleach, but my hair is fragile and I really don't want to fry it. Has anyone got any experience on how to baby your hair before/after? I'm a user of very gentle and natural things, I usually don't use 'cones or sulphates and I stay with organic products as much as possible.

[meteor]

Coconut oil soak is a great protector (http://www.hairdyeforum.com/index.php?topic=3806.0) for bleaching/dyeing, but you probably won't need anything like that if you use only a non-damaging temporary deposit-only dye.

Chemically processed hair does well with hydrolyzed protein, penetrating oils (e.g. pre-poo oiling or LOC), ceramides... it just generally needs more conditioning and more TLC.

For protein treatments, I'd suggest DIY gelatin treatment (http://science-yhairblog.blogspot.ca/2014/04/gelatin-protein-treatment-recipe-update.html), Joico K-Pak, Redken Extreme Builder and Aphogee 2-step (very strong), always followed up with a good moisturizing treatment, e.g. SMT (conditioner + honey + aloe) and oils.

[Sparklylady82]

Do you apply the coconut oil and leave it on before bleaching, at the same time?

[meteor]

Do you apply the coconut oil and leave it on before bleaching, at the same time?

^ Before, and don't wash it off. :) Ideally, you want to apply it very heavily and overnight. Next day, you might want to top it off with a bit more oil (because some of it will have absorbed and some of it will have rubbed off). The coconut oil not only buffers the damage a tiny bit but also helps apply bleach more evenly (it glides better), so it's helpful for things like highlights/balayage, for example.

But this applies only to bleach, permanent dyes, demi-permanent dyes and some "semi-permanent" dyes (the ones that use peroxide/developer - so they are not *true* semis, but they can still be marketed as "semis").
If you don't use developer, don't do the soak... :) Plus, there shouldn't be any damage from things like Manic Panic, Adore, Directions... i.e. temporary direct dyes without developer.

More on this here:
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=10495
http://ktanihairsense.blogspot.ca/2009/11/part-1-of-3-part-series-on-innovative.html
http://www.hairdyeforum.com/index.php?topic=3806.0

[LauraAlaina]

Okay well first things, if you dont bleach then I really wouldn't worry about the purple haircolor causing any damage to your hair, it wont. It's just a stain so it will be temporary.

[meteor]

Okay well first things, if you dont bleach then I really wouldn't worry about the purple haircolor causing any damage to your hair, it wont. It's just a stain so it will be temporary.

^ Yes, absolutely. :agree:


The only concern I have is that the OP has done a henna gloss previously (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=133718), am I right? Can dyeing over henna with a temporary direct dye cause any issues (e.g. patchiness around the demarcation line)? :hmm: Sorry, I'm just raising this question because I don't know much about henna and the interactions...
(A strand-test would help...)

[endlessly]

Firstly, avoid washing your hair several days in advance so your natural oils are able to adequately coat the hair. Secondly, avoid using styling products and heavy creams or oils as that will make it more difficult for the dye to penetrate the hair. Since you are using a semi-permanent, I would recommend doing a strand test first, not only to test for a possible allergic reaction, but also to see how your hair responds. If your hair is perfectly fine and doesn't feel dry or brittle after the test, you have no need to worry, but if you do have an adverse reaction, then I would strongly reconsider following through on your plans to dye it. If all else fails, you can try a vegetable-based dye like Manic Panic since it doesn't cause damage. However, it might not show up very well on darker hair and if it does, it will also rinse out quickly.

If you proceed with the semi-permanent and your hair does feel a tad on the dry side, baby your hair with oils and deep conditions - basically, the more moisture and protein you can put into your hair, the better!

[lapushka]

The only concern I have is that the OP has done a henna gloss previously (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=133718), am I right? Can dyeing over henna with a temporary direct dye cause any issues (e.g. patchiness around the demarcation line)? :hmm: Sorry, I'm just raising this question because I don't know much about henna and the interactions...
(A strand-test would help...)

If it's just a temp dye I doubt there will be interactions with the henna; depends on the temp dye as well. Is it things like Manic Panic, La Riche Directions, or an honest to God semi from the drugstore in a box (in which case, yes do be a little more careful).