Coloring Gray Hair

Coloring Gray Hair | How To Avoid Damaged Tresses

 

When gray hair first begins to emerge we instantly take notice. Especially since gray hair strands stand out next to the darker colored strands. A few gray strands are easily ignored until the gray salt and pepper look begins to make its appearance along the hairline. This is when we decide to color or not to color our tresses.

Why Using Chemical Hair Dye Can Damage Hair

The most damage to the hair occurs when using permanent, semi or demi hair coloring. Chemical hair coloring process involves using hydrogen peroxide and/or an ammonia based product in order to acquire drastic color change. These ingredients lift the cuticles and strips away some of the hair protein structure in order to deposit color into the hair. Therefore, permanently coloring the hair leads to cuticle detachment and eventually complete exposure to the hairs cortex. Coloring the hair with chemical hair dye can produce damaging changes in the deeper in the cuticles even though the hair appears to be normal.  Therefore, following up with conditioning and protein treatments is a necessity when coloring hair with chemical hair dye. Seek a licensed professional cosmetologist if you are unsure on how to properly utilize chemical hair dyes.

 

How Plant Hair Dyes Can Benefit Gray Hair.

The hair coloring process hair does not have to be damaging at all. Better yet, your hair can benefit from it by using plant based dyes such as henna, cassia, and indigo with regular use. Plant-based dyes can be done as often as you please since they do do not damage hair.  When applied to the hair,  these natural hair dyes will stain keratin, the structural protein of hair. When cassia, henna, and indigo molecules bind with keratin, they permanently dye the hair. Because plant-based dyes bind to keratin, it will thicken, condition, and strengthen the hair. The molecule lawsone which is found in pure henna will bind to keratin acting as a complete sunblock. Blocking hair from the sun’s UV rays preventing damage to its cuticle layers. Henna also preserves moisture in hair by making it less prone to weathering and desiccation. Although plant-based dyes are natural with many benefits. They may not be beneficial for those seeking dramatic color changes.  Here are more details about henna benefits and usage.

 

To Color or Not Color.

Our graying hair strands reveals signs of our aging beauty. This is the deciding factor if we chose the embrace our gray strands, highlight or cover them with color. Graying hair can be healthy and beautiful if a good hair care regimen is in place. Although graying hair is most prone to damage from chemical hair dye. It can be safely colored by using plant-based hair dyes. 

 Do you color or plan your gray tresses or do you embrace it?  Share your answer in the comment section below.

 

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