Dye Your Hair and Keep it Healthy

Roughly 43 million women in the U.S. have dyed their hair in the past six months, according to research from Nexxus. But with the huge array of hair color products, shade options, and techniques available, it's hard to know how to get it right when it comes to dyeing your hair at home.

How Hair Dye Works

Knowing the basics of how dye hair works and the fundamentals of your hair—such as the structure and behavior—can help you avoid any missteps. Essentially, permanent hair color works by penetrating the cuticle and then the cortex of the hair before ultimately bonding with the hair strand. Coloring too often or using the wrong hair dye product can alter your strands, resulting in lackluster color and a less than perfect result, which in turn could require more chemicals to fix the color. Instead, show your hair some love.

Is it safe to color your hair at home?

Yes, it is generally safe to color your hair at home as long as you follow the directions on the product's packaging. A few exceptions: You should skip a DIY dye job if you've recently relaxed or permed your hair, since both processes can cause damage. If you can't get to a salon, "wait at least seven days after a perm or other process to apply color," says Sarah Schlosser, manager of Clairol Consumer Relations. "And remember that treated hair will process color more quickly, so you don't want to leave it on as long."

Dye with Care 

If this is your first time coloring your hair and/or your hair currently has no color in it (this is "virgin" in hair speak and includes the color you were born with as well as gray hair), or if you are changing your color entirely, you can dye all of your hair, from the roots down through the mid-lengths and ends.

The key to dyeing with care is reading and following the instructions fully. If you're using our Radiant Hair Color, your kit will include step-by-step instructions and all the extras you need to color like a pro, including gloves, a cleansing wipe, barrier cream, and a protective cap for processing. You'll want to use a generous amount of barrier cream on your skin (be careful not to get any of the barrier cream on your hair, or the color won’t work on your hair). Apply the dye liberally to make sure you’re getting full coverage (saturation is key). Work from the front to the back of your head in sections, and let the color process according to the time indicated in the directions. Rinse, then wash with our Color Protecting Shampoo and Conditioner, included in your kit, and enjoy your healthy-looking, freshly colored hair. 

How to Dye Your Hair and Keep it Looking Healthy

Be aware that the more you color your hair, the more the hair strands are permanently altered, especially if you’re trying to go lighter. You can counteract any possible damage by nourishing your hair at every step: start with ammonia-free hair color, use a color protecting shampoo and conditioner, add Bond Building Cleansing Treatment (formulated specifically for highlighted hair), and finish with a hair gloss to help maintain color and shine.