Chemicals and high temperatures can cause serious damage to hair. Coloring exposes hair to harsh chemicals, making this process more risky for damaged hair. However, if you really want to dye your hair, there are things you can do to protect your hair, even when it's damaged. Take a few weeks to treat and strengthen your hair with a hair mask and conditioner. Choose a hair dye that is formulated for damaged hair. Instead of coloring your entire hair, focus on coloring areas like the roots. After that, use a product formulated for colored hair to prevent further damage.
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Part 1 of 3: Strengthen Hair First
Step 1. Cut your hair
Before dyeing damaged hair, cut your hair first. Cutting helps remove split ends so that hair health is maintained in the long run.
Step 2. Condition the hair more “aggressively”
A few weeks before coloring your hair, condition your hair more aggressively and thoroughly. A conditioner with a high moisturizing power can prevent further damage. Use these products every day, deep conditioner products once a week, and leave-in conditioners in hot weather so that your hair doesn't dry out from sun exposure.
Use shampoo and conditioner for colored hair as they are lighter and more moisturizing. By switching to another product at this stage, you can have the right product to use post-staining
Step 3. Get a protein treatment
This treatment helps strengthen and nourish damaged hair. You can get protein treatments at the salon or buy the right products to do your own at-home treatments. Do this treatment every one or two weeks. Otherwise, your hair will feel coarser.
- Protein treatment is similar to using a hair mask. Coat your hair with the product, let it sit for a certain amount of time, then rinse your hair.
- Make sure you follow all instructions for using a protein mask. If the product is left on for too long, the hair will feel rough.
Step 4. Use a hair mask
The day before coloring your hair, buy a deep conditioning hair mask from a salon or supermarket. Apply the mask on your hair and leave it on for the recommended amount of time before rinsing your hair. This will keep your hair moisturized enough before dyeing and reduce further damage.
- If you want to dye your hair at a salon, ask your stylist for a hair mask recommendation. It's possible that the stylists at the salon have experience styling or coloring damaged hair so they can give you the right advice, depending on the type of paint or coloring you want.
- Some natural ingredients that are good for hair include olive oil, milk, honey, and coconut milk.
Part 2 of 3: Choosing the Right Colors and Products
Step 1. Choose a hair dye that is formulated for damaged hair
Look for a paint specifically formulated for damaged hair. Choose products that do not contain ammonia and have added moisturizing ingredients such as royal jelly. Moisturizing dye products are also suitable for damaged hair. In addition, demi-permanent hair dyes are also usually better for damaged hair than permanent hair dyes.
Step 2. Don't try to lighten your hair color
If you want to dye damaged hair, don't try to lighten the color. Changes in hair color to light brown or blonde cause a lot of damage to the cuticles. Choose a shade darker than your natural hair color, or try covering gray hair and a different color at the roots. Lightening the color of damaged hair is not the right choice.
Step 3. Wash and condition hair the day before coloring
Hair that is clean of product buildup can absorb color better. However, give enough time for the natural hair oils to create a protective layer on the scalp. Wait at least one night after washing your hair before coloring your hair.
Step 4. Focus most of the coloring on the roots
If you have dyed your hair, focus on coloring only the roots. Do not apply paint to all parts of the hair because damaged hair will actually become drier due to exposure to the paint. In general, the less coloring you do, the better for damaged hair.
Step 5. See a hairdresser if possible
While many people have had success coloring their hair using regular hair dyes, the treatment for damaged hair is actually quite complicated. Since hair dye always causes damage, it's a good idea to see a hair stylist if you want to dye damaged hair. Hairdressers know the best way to reduce further damage to the coloring process.
Part 3 of 3: Caring for Damaged Hair After Coloring
Step 1. Use a renewal mask product
Buy a quality renewal mask product after you color your hair. Once a week, apply the mask all over your hair and leave it on for the recommended amount of time before rinsing your hair. This mask product helps to rehydrate hair and reduce damage caused by coloring.
If you color your hair at a salon, ask your hair stylist for a product renewal mask recommendation
Step 2. Buy a hair color protection shampoo
After dyeing your hair, only use a color-protecting shampoo to prevent the paint or color from taking off. The better the protection against hair color, the less often you will need to recolor your hair. Since coloring always causes damage, it's best if you don't dye your hair too often.
Step 3. Reduce the frequency of shampooing
By not washing too often, the color in the hair can be maintained for a longer time. Wash every two times a day, and no more than 2-3 times a week. That way, you don't need to do further staining so that further damage from painting can be prevented.
Tips
- Straightening or curling hair can cause serious hair damage due to the heat generated. Try to find a hairstyle that does not require these styling techniques.
- Semi-permanent hair dye won't cause any damage and is safe to use, even on fragile or damaged hair.
