Hair Color Facts

Hair coloring has an interesting history. Here are a few anecdotes from the past and some tips on how to choose the right hair color for yourself today.

History

Hair coloring as we know it was first made possible in 1863 when Dr. August Wilhelm von Hofmann discovered the dye properties of para-phenylenediamine (PPD). PPD is still commonly used to color hair today.

Significance

Hair coloring became popular with the masses in the 1920s when salon and home hair dye kits were introduced.

Benefits

According to studies cited by P&G Brands, most people dye their hair to feel more attractive and/or to cover gray hair.

Types

Types of hair colors range from permanent color that offers 100% coverage to temporary color that rinses out with one shampoo.

Considerations

To achieve the most natural results when coloring your hair, the experts at Clairol recommend staying within two shades of your natural hair color.

Expert Insight

If you end up with a bad color job, visit a salon and let an expert fix it. Fixing bad hair color is a complicated process that involves canceling out the unappealing tones with their opposites.