Hair dye has become an almost indispensable product for many different men and women. Many ladies and girls have their hair dyed on a regular basis through a salon or at home. However, for someone new to the hair dying field, it can be hard to figure out what kind of dye is best for your hair. Knowing how hair dye works is the best way to make an informed decision about the hair dying process. Even if you have been dying your hair for years, it can be useful to know how everything works.
Chemical Ingredients
Ingredients of hair dyes usually include chemicals such as ammonia, hydrogen peroxide and other harsh chemicals. Modern dyes also usually contain moisturizers for keeping hair soft, vitamins for healthy looking hair, and other products to keep hair looking nice. Ammonia and hydrogen peroxide are the main components that keep the hair dye bonded to the hair. They are able to seep inside the hair follicles, taking the dye with them. That is how the dye stays on the hair for longer periods of time. However, there has been some research to suggest that certain chemicals in hair dye can lead to certain cancers.
Semi-permanent Dyes
Semi-permanent dyes contain the least amount of harsh chemicals that may be damaging to the hair. These dyes are applied with liquids, gels or aerosols. Usually, the semi-permanent dyes wash out after 5 to 10 washings. These dyes do not contain peroxide, and that is one of the reasons that they wash out so soon. The semi-permanent dyes usually work for dying the hair a darker color.
Demi-permanent Dyes
Demi-permanent dyes are the kind that most people use when they visit the hair salon. They are a little less harsh than the permanent dyes, but they last longer than the semi-permanent dyes. These dyes contain ammonia or hydrogen peroxide, and it is possible to get a lighter shade with these dyes. When the dye is placed in the hair, the dye penetrates the hair shaft, and then bonds with the hair molecules already there. This dye usually lasts for about a month.
Permanent Dyes
A permanent dye is the longest lasting type of dye. However, these dyes are also the harshest on your hair. The dye uses ammonia and hydrogen peroxide to expand the hair molecules so that they are too big to be washed out. These dyes last until the new hair roots grow in. When you use it, it creates a new color base for your hair, and then re-dyes it to the new color. For this reason, the same base color looks different on other people.
Gradual Dyes
Gradual dyes are applied over time in a rinse form. They are applied every day until the desired color is achieved. These dyes will only work for darkening the hair. To maintain the color, it has to be re-applied every few days. This dye is a good one for trying out a new color.
Temporary Dyes
A temporary die is usually sprayed on, or it can be applied in a gel or mousse. When the hair gets wet, the dye runs out of the hair. This can be very messy. The reason that this happens is that there is no bonding of molecules with this kind of dye.
