All about hair dyes

Hey y'all! I want to talk about hair dyes in relation to overall hair health as requested by one of my readers. Most chemical hair dyes consist of two main ingredients. The ammonia dye which contains ammonia, and a developer which in most dyes is hydrogen peroxide.

These two are mixed together and applied to the hair. Not too sure about the right proportions but I guess it depends on the shade you want to achieve. Just a guess.

Ammonia literally seperates/ opens up the hair cuticle for the color to penetrate into the cuticle while the hydrogen peroxide oxidizes the hair and bleaches it for it to show the new color.

These chemicals are quite harsh on the hair and damaging especially to hair that is already relaxed or heat damaged.

Hair dyeing is also drying to the hair so if you fail to follow it up with a good and intensive care routine then your hair is bound to break a lot! Proper hair care is necessary.

Color treated hair requires more special attention when it comes to keeping it moisturized because it is drier than your average hair. Moisturizing is a must!!! My ends are color treated and I have to moisturize them so much more compared to the rest of my hair which is not as brittle and as dry. Protein treatment is also very necessary after dyeing your hair because of the stress that the hair cuticle goes through during the dyeing process.

The other important rule is you do NOT dye hair that is already dyed!! This is the ultimate mistake! Hair can only weaken futher just like relaxing hair that is already relaxed!!!

My alternative to chemical hair dyes is 100% natural henna which has my preferred shades of color and is also a natural protein treatment. It strengthens hair and reduces breakage. I follow it up with some goooooood and intense conditioning.

Henna loosens curls naturally so over time and frequent henna treatments you may start to notice this. It's like a slow, natural and long term 'relaxer' that won't get your hair bone straight or necessarily give it an relaxed look.

Natural henna gives colors within the range of red, amber and brown. Any Henna that promises anything outside this range for example black, is not natural henna. It has added chemical dyes.

For those who wish to darken their tresses naturally, consider using Amla oil or powder which is used pretty much like henna, or brahmi powder which is also said to darken hair. Famous with Indians so you can do some research on those two herbs.

Again, for chemical dyeing, be sure to give your hair the extra tlc that is needs to avoid major setbacks.

Have lovely evening :-)