Hey there! Wondering if box dye is bad for your hair?
We know that it’s hard to keep up with trends and styles when life gets busy, but here’s a question: Are at-home hair dyes really worth the risk of damaging your hair?
We’re not talking about color changes or shades – we’re saying how it affects the health of your locks.
If you’ve got the time, the technique and the confidence, these handy products are the perfect way to get the hair color you love from the comfort of your own bathroom.
Many trendsetters want to dye their hair at home, but are worried about the chemicals in boxed dyes.
We get it – you love your natural color and don’t want to damage it with harsh chemicals.
But when you do decide to change up your look, or if you’ve got grey hairs that need covering up, they’re a quick and easy way of getting salon-quality results without paying salon prices.
The truth is, they do damage your hair to some degree. But we’re going to tell you why they don’t have to. Read on!
Contents
- 1 Is box dye bad for your hair?
- 2 Watch and learn: How does hair dye work?
- 3 Does using box dye ruin your hair?
- 4 Box dye pros
- 5 Box dye cons
- 6 Why is box hair dye bad for your hair?
- 7 What’s the difference between box dye and professional hair color?
- 8 Is box dye bad for natural hair?
- 9 Should you never dye your hair?
- 10 What can I do to look after my hair?
- 11 Box dye Do’s
- 12 Box dye Don’ts
- 13 Parting words.
Is box dye bad for your hair?
Sadly, YES. Box dye is bad for your hair because the processing involved in changing your hair color dries and weakens the structure of your hair.
The formulas in at-home hair color often contain ammonia, lead acetates (The FDA recently repealed approval of this ingredient, but it is pending), hydrogen peroxide and paraphenylenediamine (PPDA) – a common allergen.
This cocktail causes your hair to become brittle, break easily and sometimes feel sticky when it’s wet because it’s lost all elasticity. This is true and can happen whether you use permanent, demi-permanent or semi-permanent dyes.
This is because, since hair dye was invented, it’s been blessing our hair by coating or penetrating our hair strands with various sizes of color molecules.
How deep the color penetrates, and therefore how long it lasts and stays in your hair, depends on the type of hair dye it is.
Ammonia-free hair dyes are kinder. But the only hair dye that doesn’t damage your hair are temporary colors as they coat or stain your hair rather than penetrate deep into your hair shaft.
Watch and learn: How does hair dye work?
“At a salon, a colorist will use the right mix of color tones and levels to suit the condition of your hair, as well as your natural coloring and skin tone. A box color is one-size-fits-all which won’t look great and will only damage your hair.”
Elena Rossi, professional colorist.
Does using box dye ruin your hair?
Although it’s great way to quickly change your look, you may be surprised to find that it’s not the best option for maintaining healthy hair.
What’s more, many hair dyes do contain harsh chemicals that can strip away essential oils from strands and lead to breakage.
So should we stop using them altogether? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons so you can decide for yourself!
Why is box hair dye bad for your hair?
The chemicals used in shop-bought hair dye are cheap and largely unregulated, which means they are often harsh on your locks. (But they can kill head lice and nits!)
If you’re box dying your hair, it’s important to know what kind of chemicals are in the dye and how they affect your hair health.
For instance, ammonia opens up the cuticle layer in the hair shaft which allows pigment molecules to deposit on strands more easily. This can lead to dryness, brittleness and breakage.
To avoid these side effects, try using products with less harsh ingredients like sodium hydroxide or ammonium sulfate.
These dyes will still deliver intense colors without drying out your locks!
What’s the difference between box dye and professional hair color?
Box dye is typically cheaper and more convenient, but it can be difficult to achieve the desired result.
Professional color, on the other hand, is usually more expensive but tends to be more effective.
Here’s a closer look at the key differences between these two options.
Box dye is usually made with lower-quality ingredients, which can make it harder to achieve the desired results.
Professional color, on the other hand, is made with higher-quality ingredients and provides better coverage. In addition, professional colorists have access to a wider range of colors than those available in box dyes. As a result, they can usually create a more customized look for their clients.
Finally, professional colorists receive training on how to apply color safely and effectively, minimizing the risk of damage to the hair.
So, which option is right for you? If you’re looking for a cheap and convenient way to change your hair color, box dye may be a good option. However, if you’re looking for better results and are willing to pay a bit more, professional color may be the way to go.
Is box dye bad for natural hair?
Finding the perfect shade of hair color can be a very involved and time-consuming process. But if you’re looking for a quick fix, there’s nothing better than at-home hair dye.
They’re easy to apply and has all the benefits that take hours at the salon. It covers greys, leaves your hair shiny and smooth – but can it damage your natural hair?
Dyes work by penetrating into each strand of your natural hair where they attach themselves chemically.
This process damages both healthy parts of the strand as well as harmful chemicals in order to achieve their desired effect.
So yes, box dye could cause harm! Even though many companies claim that their product will not damage or dry out natural hair when applied. They do!
Should you never dye your hair?
Of course, box dyes exist for a reason, right?
They give us the freedom to change up our color and cover our greys without spending fortunes at a salon.
So the fact that they damage your hair doesn’t mean you shouldn’t ever use them.
Straighteners, wavers, curlers and other hot tools damage your hair too. But there’s no stopping us working those beachy waves this year.
The secret to using hair dyes at home is to give your colored hair extra love.
Use nourishing treatments to restore it’s strength and shine – before, during and after dyeing your hair.
What can I do to look after my hair?
Once a week, smother it in a penetrating deep conditioning mask for extra nourishment.
In between colorings, you can also try an at-home keratin treatment. This will help to restore the bonds in your hair and lock the color to make it last for longer.
A color safe shampoo and conditioner that’s kind to hair color should be the only ones you use to help prolong your color.
Take a look at the health of your hair too.
If it is already dull and lifeless and lacking in lustre, dyeing your hair might not be right for you at this moment. Have a chat with your hairdresser about your options.
Box dye Do’s
- Do check the color chart on the side of the hair dye box to match it to the color your hair is now.
- Do a strand test before you dye the rest of your hair if you’re feeling unsure.
- Do buy two boxes of hair color to get all-over, even coverage. Especially if you are planning on covering stubborn greys.
- Do follow the instructions that come with the hair dye carefully. Even if you have dyed your hair before, every dye is different and can have different ways of application and developing time.
- Do visit your salon if you get it wrong!
Box dye Don’ts
- Don’t leave the dye on for longer than it says in the instructions. It can be tempting as you think it will work better or last longer. But this will be the biggest cause of hair damage. Particularly if you’re using permanent dye.
- Don’t dye your hair too often. Try and use a good cover up to hide new root growth and stretch out time in between dyeing it. These won’t last as long as salon color. So think about alternating salon trips and home dyes to keep your color looking fresh.
- Don’t use a dye stronger than you really need. The type of hair dye you choose should depend on what you want to achieve. From all-over grey coverage, a pop of color or a dramatic new look. Don’t pick a dye that’s not fit for purpose.
- Don’t try and lighten your hair. Color cannot lighten color!
Parting words.
The world of hair coloring is a tricky one.
Some people swear by the virtues of using hair dye at home, others say that’s just not for them.
It can be difficult to find information on what products are best for you and your hair type, which is why we’ve compiled this guide to help you through the process.
Now you know how box dye affects your locks and what steps you need to take in order to make sure they’re healthy again after using boxed color (or any other chemical) repeatedly.
Good luck!