We all get fascinated by looking at the models with shiny, lustrous, and colorful hair in television ads and have a desire to have beautiful hair like them. In order to have such a hair look, we buy hair colors without knowing their ins and outs and side effects. Here is a description of things one must keep in mind before opting for a hair color, because a little ignorance may result in something very ugly and harmful.
Some of the people may have skin allergic to the hair colors. This is because hair colors contain various chemicals and coloring agents, which may cause irritation or the burning sensation to the scalp. Earlier, hair dyes were made using coal tar, which caused the burning sensation in the scalp. Chemicals like 4-methoxy-m-phenylenediamine (4MMPD) or 4-methoxy-m-phenylenediamine sulfate (4MMPD sulfate) which were also used in the hair dyes were carcinogenic and caused cancer. A hair color causes dryness and roughness to the hair and the prolonged use of it may result in the loss of natural shine and luster of the hair. It may be a bit problematic for the first time user hence they need to keep following things in mind before opting for their favorite hair color.
1. Patch test
A patch test is done to identify whether your skin is allergic to the hair color or not. In a patch test, a small amount of the hair color is applied to the small area behind ones ear and left for 12 hours or so. After 12 hours, the skin area is checked for any kind of allergy, sensation or any other effect that might have been caused by that color patch. If any such thing happens, you should not use that color, as your skin may be allergic to it.
2. Using ammonia free hair color
Before purchasing or opting for a hair color, you must make sure that it is ammonia free, because ammonia is very harmful for hair and causes loss of shine and luster of the hair and its prolong use results in hair loss.
3. Follow the instructions given on the packet
You should carefully read all the instructions given on the hair color packet as the manufacturing companies themselves provide the fair instructions to use those products. The instructions tell you about the chemicals used and the method of using that particular hair color.
4. Always wear gloves while coloring your hair
Always make sure that your other body parts are not exposed to the hair color. Always wear hand gloves before applying color to your hair, because the color may leave stains on your hand and in most of the cases can cause the burning sensation.
5. Always go to a good salon or parlor
When you opt to get your hair colored in a salon or a parlor, always go to a good one where the workers are fully aware of the pros and cons of hair coloring and do it in a way that does not affect your skin at all.
6. Never mix different hair colors
Mixing different types of colors and then using them may prove fatal. You may get inflammation on scalp and other exposed areas, rashes on skin and in the worse cases, if it is exposed to the facial area, you may even lose your eyesight.
7. Do not leave the color for a long time
Once you have applied the color on your hair, it is advisable not to leave it on for a longer period than suggested by the manufacturer. Doing so may cause burning sensation or rashes on the skin and may even lead to the hair loss.
8. Rinse your hair thoroughly after coloring
After the color has been kept for a desired period of time on the hair, one should rinse his/her hair thoroughly with water and shampoo in order to remove the excess of color and to lessen the harmful effect of the color from head skin and scalp.
9. Do not try to color eyebrows and eyelashes
The effect of chemicals used in the hair color proves very dangerous to eyes, so better avoid coloring the areas near eyes.
