Clarity in Hair Colour

Today I will bring clarity and basic understanding of hair colour. There are different ways to deposit hair color professionally, and then there is the process of professional hair lightening.

Depositing hair color is the process of adding pigment to your own hair color to cause a visual change in color. The types of deposit color are respectfully: rinse, temporary, semi-permanent, and permanent.

A rinse is the mildest color you can get, it gives the lowest level of deposit, durability, and strength. It is a liquid form that is applied after shampooing and conditioning, it is not rinsed out, it is then styled as desired.

A temporary color is the next level of deposit which requires a 10- 20 minute processing time. It is applied after shampooing, rinsed, then the hair is conditioned then styled.

A semi- permanent color process actually requires heat in most cases to swell the outer layer (cuticle layer) of the hair shaft for a deeper deposit and longevity of color. It is applied just like the temporary color, the semi-permanent color processing time of 20 -30 minutes is done mostly with heat then a cooling down period is allowed.

A permanent color is the most penetrating because its formula is a chemical that swells and expands the hair shaft for deeper penetration of the cuticle layer and allows color molecules to deposit in the middle layer (cortex) of the hair shaft as well. It is applied prior to shampooing and conditioning, and requires a 30-45 minute processing time without heat most of the time. A permanent color can also lighten the hair up to 3-4 levels.

Hair lightener, commonly refferred to as hair bleach, is the process of stripping the hair of its natural pigment producing lightening stages from natural black to pale blond. I don’t like to use the word hair bleach because it makes it sound so harsh, bleach is a chemical used for clothes, I prefer the word lightener. Bleach has a bad reputation of damaging your hair, mainly when done without adequate knowlege and experience. Lighteners are done by professionals producing professional results.

Remember hair coloring is a process that requires knowlege of hair chemistry, and experience. It is the service that produces optimal effects when done properly.

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