It can be exciting and scary at the same time to dye your curls for the first time. The thrill of sporting a fresh, new look is often accompanied by concerns about the potential damage to your precious locks. After all, curly hair comes with its unique set of challenges that can make dyeing a damaging activity if not done carefully.
Fortunately, you don’t have to go it alone. We have created a helpful guide for you to help you navigate the intricacies involving dyeing curly hair. We’ll cover everything you need to know to maintain your curls’ health and integrity while achieving the stunning colour you’ve always desired.
Does Dye Damage Natural Hair?
The short answer is yes, any type of dye can damage natural hair to some extent. Whether it’s box dye or professional-grade products applied at a salon, the chemicals involved in the dyeing process can lead to dryness, split ends, and a potential change in your natural curl pattern.
However, the level of damage varies based on several factors, such as the application technique, the quality of the products used, and the aftercare regimen. Although dyeing your natural hair can be damaging, there are ways to minimize the damage while maintaining your curl pattern.
Here Are Some Helpful Do’s and Don’ts When Dyeing Your Natural Hair
Don’t Shampoo Your Hair Before Dyeing
The natural oils in your scalp can serve as a protective barrier between your scalp and the harmful chemicals in the dye. Shampooing your hair before applying hair dye can strip your hair from its natural oils, removing the natural oils that were supposed to protect your scalp.
Ideally, it’s best to avoid shampooing your hair at least a day before you get your hair coloured to maintain your natural oils.
Do Regularly Deep Condition Your Hair
Colouring your hair may dry out and damage your curls. This is why it’s vital to deep-condition your hair at least once a week to restore the integrity of your curls. Experts recommend getting hair treatments as well.
Don’t Use Hot Water and Avoid Heat-Styling
Aside from drying your hair out, hot water can also fade your hair colour faster. To protect your hair and make your colour last longer, Rinsing your conditioner out with cold water is recommended to seal the cuticle and retain moisture.
Stylists would also recommend that you avoid heat-styling as this can further damage your hair and potentially ruin your curl pattern. It’s advised that you use protective styles such as box braids or cornrows to give your hair a break from intense dyeing.
Do Use Colour-Preserving Shampoo After Dyeing Your Hair
Regular shampoos typically contain sulphate, which can dry out your hair and fade your hair colour faster. When looking for a shampoo for colour-treated curly hair, it’s best to choose sulphate-free shampoos as they are free of harmful chemicals that may damage your hair more.
There are also shampoos specifically formulated for colour-treated hair, which provides a protective lightweight coating that helps prevent your colour from bleeding out.
Don’t Skip the Strand Test
Strand tests are an essential part of the hair colouring process. This step helps you determine the health of your hair and whether its current condition can withstand the dyeing process.
Additionally, it gives you an idea of how the colour will look on your unique hair texture and curl pattern, and it also helps you gauge how long to leave the dye in for your desired results.
Unfortunately, most people tend to overlook this step. Failing to conduct a strand test can result in a colour that’s too dark, too light, or uneven—outcomes that can be difficult to correct. Taking a few extra minutes to perform a strand test can save you from hours of corrective treatments and potentially irreversible damage.
Do Let Professionals Colour Your Hair
It can be tempting to grab box dye from the nearest drugstore and colour your hair by yourself. But don’t get too excited. Turning to professionals to get your hair coloured is the safest bet. Trained stylists have the expertise to assess your hair’s unique characteristics and customize your dye to get the best results.
Skilled stylists also know all the techniques to minimize damage to your curls while still achieving an even, vibrant result. At The Curl Ambassadors, our professional stylists specialize in colouring curly hair and use a no ammonia-based colour line.
We ensure to deliver natural-looking, long-lasting results and an unparalleled shine with a built-in conditioning treatment to avoid drying out your curls. Our stylists will also give you valuable tips on how to maintain your new hair colour, along with product suggestions and how to adjust your hair-care routine.
With the right process and solid after-care routine, the colours on your curls should be able to last a long time without compromising your curl pattern.
