- Generally speaking, it’s easier to dye virgin hair than colored hair. It reacts faster to the hair dye chemicals.
- Of course, if your hair has low porosity, it may have a hard time absorbing the pigments. In that case, you’d have to repeat the coloring process.
- That’s why, before exposing your virgin hair to the hair dye, you should consider some things that I’ll explain later.
As you may have seen, I started by “generally speaking”. But why?
Because there are no absolutes in coloring.
I couldn’t swear by all the saints that virgin hair is easier to dye than previously dyed hair.
- For example, healthy virgin hair isn’t the same as hair damaged by the sun and chlorinated water.
- Colored but extremely well cared for hair isn’t neither the same as colored hair that doesn’t know what an intensive moisturizing treatment is.
That’s why I say that there are no absolutes.
Leaving all those external factors, and simply talking about the ease of dyeing, virgin hair is easier to dye.
Virgin hair fiber is intact and reacts quickly to the hair products’ chemicals.
Instead, colored hair has damaged hair cuticles that often interfere with the penetration of the hair dye.
That’s why I recommend going to a salon for advice if you’re thinking about coloring your hair for the first time.
If you don’t have time or money, I invite you to read what I have to tell you:
- What tone and hair dye type to choose to color virgin hair.
- What if you want to dye your hair to a very light shade?
- How to care for virgin hair after coloring it
Tabla de Contenidos
What tone and hair dye type to choose to color virgin hair?
You’re probably excited about the big change you’re about to make to your hair.
For the moment, let’s leave the emotional birdies for spring. Focus on the color you want.
Do you want a total makeover? Do you just want to change just a few tones?
- If you want to change some tones, you can choose up to two higher or lower numbers to your current color.
Why only two numbers?
If you regret the change, it’ll be easier to go back to your natural color. For example:
- If your hair is brown 4, you can choose a dark blonde 6 or a black 1.
- If your hair is dark blonde 6, you can apply a brown 4 or a light blonde 8.
- If your hair is a light blonde 8, you can opt for a platinum blonde 10 or a dark blonde 6.
If I want another color?
- If you’re looking for a radical change, either fantasy colors or very light blondes, you’ll have to go through some bleaching sessions.
Bleaching is a process that generates a chemical reaction to expel your pigmentation partially or totally.
Of course, such a change has a cost to your hair. The chemicals will dry it out quite a bit. If it’s not done correctly, you could burn your hair.
But also, if you want to dye your hair a fantasy color or very light blonde and your base is dark, you’ll have to do several bleaching sessions. That takes time. When I say time, I mean months.
That’s why, as a stylist, I recommend that you start coloring your hair one or two tones lighter or darker than your base color. Also, avoid bleaching. To go from a dark color to such a light color, in either virgin or dyed hair, you have to apply at least 5 bleaching sessions.
So, take care of your virgin hair and choose wisely.
You should also think about what hair dye type to use. Did you think it was simpler?
Girl, in matters of beauty and esthetics, nothing is simple!
What hair dye type to choose to color virgin hair
There’re several hair dye types. They can be permanent, semi-permanent, temporary, and hair wax. The most common are permanent and semi-permanent hair dyes.
- The permanent hair dye contains ammonia and is applied with a 20-volume developer.
- The semi-permanent hair dye doesn’t contain ammonia and is applied without a developer.
Permanent hair dye generates a certain degree of damage to the hair. The developer opens the cuticles for the color to penetrate into your hair fiber. It changes the structure of your hair permanently and lasts for 5 to 6 weeks.
The semi-permanent hair dye is deposited on the outside of the hair fiber. It lasts up to 20 washes because it fades with each wash.
Which of the two hair dyes is best for your virgin hair?
The best option is semi-permanent hair dye. You can change the tone as often as you want without damaging your hair or changing your base color.
Semi-permanent hair dyes offer traditional tones such as blonde, brown, black, or fantasy colors such as pink, violet, and green. Remember that to dye your virgin hair a fantasy color, you must have a light blonde base.
How to care for virgin hair after coloring it
If you have chosen to dye your virgin hair with permanent hair color, you’ll need to take extra care of it because it’s more likely to dry out and frizz.
To avoid this, you should change several aspects of your beauty routine and the products you use.
- Avoid products with sulfates.
Many women use shampoos and conditioners that contain chemicals that dry out hair, such as sulfates, parabens, and alcohol. By avoiding these products, you’ll protect your hair and the color will last longer.
- Don’t wash your hair every day
Once you include sulfate-free products, wash your hair every 48 hours. Tap water contains chlorine, which also removes hair dye pigments and dries out the hair.
- Moisturize your hair at least once a week using coconut oil, argan oil, or hydrolyzed proteins.
Conclusions
In general, virgin hair is easier to dye. However, the real commitment starts afterward. So, choose carefully the tone and type of hair dye with which you’ll dye your hair for the first time.
