If you dyed your hair too dark here are the options

As a hair stylist, I see this problem a lot! It is often the result of someone dying their hair at home. Box kits and do-it-yourself  hair coloring systems are appealing because they are so  affordable, but trust me, they do not always end up saving you money!  This is especially true if you’ve dyed your hair too dark! Hair dye stripping is difficult and costly.

The biggest problem with these home hair coloring kits is that they have a picture on the front of the box of what the hair color is supposed to look like when finished but, unless you read the back of the box, (and understand it) your hair will probably NOT turn out like the color in the picture.

Reasons at-home hair color turns out too dark

• Wrong hair color choice – the picture on front of the box is NOT an accurate choice to go by.  Read the back of the box. It will try to walk you through determining which color to choose for your desired end result. If you don’t understand it, don’t buy it. Call the 800 number on the box for more advice.
• Previous color in the hair is not allowed for, which added more color to the end result.
• Dry, brittle or unhealthy hair which grabbed or soaked up the color more intensely.
• Did not follow the directions or left the color on too long.

If you have any hair color previously in your hair, if you are going from dark to light, or if your hair is unhealthy, it is highly probable that you will not be happy with an at-home hair coloring kit. There is a lot more that goes into hair color success than just knowing the desired result. (This is why it is always best to leave any chemical service to the professionals.)

But, if you are reading this article, there is a good chance that you’ve already dyed your hair too dark and it is too late for such advice. (Take note for future reference though.) So . . . what to do now?

If a salon dyed your hair too dark

Did you have your hair colored by a hair stylist and you are not happy with the outcome? If this is the case, you may be in luck. Most salons will re-do your hair for free if you are not happy. If you are uncomfortable going back to the same hairdresser, you may be able to request that someone else correct your hair.

If you dyed your hair too dark with a semi-permanent or demi-permanent color

Did you use a semi-permanent or demi-permanent hair color? If so, there is hope for you! Semi-permanent color fades out the fastest (usually in about 6-8 shampoos). Demi-permanent hair color also fades out, but takes a little longer (about 6-8 weeks). If you used  either of these types of hair color you have a few options.

1. First, try washing your hair with a clarifying shampoo, which may strip some color from your hair. But it if you’ve dyed your hair way too dark this option probably won’t take out enough color . . . but, why not give it a go, it’s an easy, inexpensive fix.
2. Try a Malibu Treatment done at a salon. This would be my second recommendation. This is a clarifying treatment that strips color from the hair and it is usually not very expensive. How much? That will depend on how many times they need to apply the treatment to exhaust its capabilities of removing excess color from the hair. This treatment can dry out the hair and therefore fewer treatments are better than more. A professional can assess how many times it can be used safely to save the integrity of your hair.
3. Pick up an Ion Crystal Clarifying Treatment at Sally’s Beauty Supply (or another beauty supply store) for about a dollar or two per package. You may need more than one packet if you have long or thick hair. This treatment is very similar to a Malibu, using gel crystals that are mixed with hot water. After mixing, apply to damp hair and then wear a shower cap to seal in heat. Leave this in for about 30-45 minutes. The treatment should remove quite a bit of the hair color and get you closer to what your hair looked like before you colored it. It is a safe treatment that will not cause further chemical damage. It’s still a good idea to use a deep conditioner afterwards though.

If you dyed your hair too dark using a permanent hair color

Unfortunately, this is the most abundant type of hair color that is sold in stores and therefore, the first one people choose off the shelf.  I imagine that many of you, who have dyed your hair too dark, have used a permanent hair color. If this is the case you have two options:

1. Schedule an appointment at a salon to get it fixed. It is uncommon for a salon to give an exact price quote without seeing your hair first. However, most salons will do free consultations and can give you a price quote. You might be wise to schedule a couple different consultations to choose the hair stylist you feel most comfortable with and to assess how much you are willing to pay. If you are financially strapped try your local beauty school.
2. Cut it off.  You can check out what a bleach-shampoo cocktail can do, but it’s a bit tricky and is not for everyone. Washing or clarifying will not alter permanent color much.

Unfortunately there are really no do-it-yourself solutions when it comes to permanent color correction. Without a thorough understanding of color chemistry, there is no safe or quick fix that I can suggest you try at home.

If you have further questions please comment on this article and ask! We may be able to help!

Guest contributor Erin Mullen Graduated in 2005 from the Midwest College of Cosmetology, Erin is a licensed cosmetologist and beauty professional. She is currently a senior studying Communication at Purdue University. Hair & Make-up Portfolio:  Twitter: @ErinJMullen or LinkedIn.

For further discussion on hair color correction you might want to check out these other articles:

• How to Get Back to Your Natural Hair Color
• How Can I Get my Natural Hair Color Back?
• How do I go back to my natural hair color?
• Getting Back to Your Natural Hair Color
• Can I get my natural hair color back?
• Stripping Hair Back to Natural Colour
• How to Color Your Hair at Home: The Ultimate Guide

Got a question, war story or comment about this topic? Click on the "Leave Your Comments" link at the very bottom of this article. Some of my best ideas for future articles come from reading reader comments. I'd love to hear from you!

• Can I get my natural hair color back?
• Hair Color Too Dark?
• Hair Color Correction: This Hair Color Can Be Corrected At This Point
• Hair Color Too Orange?
• Getting Back to Your Natural Hair Color
• Hair Color Ideas
• Hair Color Too Brassy?

Done Right, Hair Weaves Need Not End in Hair Damage

By guest contributor Yanie Sesay

Hollywood has started toward calling hair weaves free flow hair extensions. The reasoning behind this is simply the fact that extensions have evolved in recent years to a less bulky method.

Unfortunately, many people are unaware that recent improvement of techniques of hair weave have made them very wearable. In the past hair weaves got a bad rap, simply because they weren’t installed properly or because there is a common misconception that they are only for African-Americans. African-Americans actually have the finest hair of all (just simply a lot of it) and had turned to braiding their hair to facilitate growth without excessive maintenance.

A large percentage of extension wearers suffer from male/female patterned hair loss, alopecia, trichotillomania, hormonal hair loss or have recently finished chemotherapy treatments.

To attach the curtain of human hair onto your own hair one must first have a buffer in between so nothing is being attached directly onto your hair. This buffer is synthetic hair; it is used to create the braid only pulling tiny pieces of your own hair into the braid. Now this is where it gets a little more scientific. Everyone’s parting is completely different, due to your head shape, patterns of hair loss and lifestyle. The position of braid installation can even come down to whether or not you wear sunglasses!

One thing that must always common denominator is that all the parting must be square! This means that all of the tension points are 100% equal, because the braids are in a rectangle formation. Unfortunately you cannot have 100% tension points with fusion or singles, unless you are measuring a square in between each bundle of hair installed, if so, this process would take days!

Also, with fusions and singles you are using bonds, rubber bands, glues or adhesives! Upon removal, that’s when the most damage is done, as heat, razors, acetone removal solution or extreme pulling must be used to take these out. At this point you’re losing handfuls of hair each time you remove them, not to mention the fact that you are unable to reuse that hair, which isn’t exactly cost-effective.

With free flow extensions, only thread and synthetic hair are used, so upon removal you aren’t losing any extra hair as all a hair stylist has to do is cut out the thread and take out the braid, whilst keeping the curtain of human hair intact. Because of this, many celebrities and avid extension wearers are able to maintain their extensions for decades at a time and still have their hair in excellent condition.

Guest contributor Yanie Sesay is a hair stylist who specializes in installing free flow extensions with Mohair Extensions in Vancouver, BC you can follow her on Twitter and Facebook.

Guest contributor Yanie Sesay is a hair stylist who specializes in installing free flow extensions with Mohair Extensions in Vancouver, BC you can follow her on Twitter and Facebook.

Got a question, war story or comment about this topic? Click on the "Leave Your Comments" link at the very bottom of this article. Some of my best ideas for future articles come from reading reader comments. I'd love to hear from you!

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Hair Dyeing Not Safe When Seborrheic Dermatitis is Suspected

Barb Responds

You’re on the right track asking questions, as you could considerably worsen your problem by having any chemical service done to your hair.  Any licensed professional will tell you not to use hair dye as long as long as any scalp condition is present.  Was it your primary doctor who diagnosed seborrheic dermatitis?  Most likely, he will advise you the same, or he may suggest a dermatologist to consult.

What is Seborrheic Dermatitis?

Seborrheic dermatitis (aka: eczema or cradle cap) is a condition doctors still don’t have a definitive. They do know it’s not a contagious disease and that (this will make you feel better about shampooing less often) it’s not a sign of poor hygiene. The Mayo Clinic reports that although causes are not yet known, they may include symptoms as normal as stress, fatigue or even a change of season (of which winter tends to be the most common time of year for the onset of this condition.)

Shampoos for Seborrheic Dermatitis

Dandruff shampoos and other medicated shampoos containing ingredients like, coal-tar and zinc can be very effective. There are a number of over-the-counter products as well as prescription strength products (shampoos and lotions) that can be used, but your doctor should be the one to prescribe the right product for you. Different skin types and conditions respond differently and you could possibly make matters worse by using a wrong product.  Call your doctor for a prescription or over-the-counter recommendation. Seeing that he already diagnosed your condition, you shouldn’t need another appointment for the recommendation.

Be sure to use the shampoo as directed, leaving it on for the full recommended time. If it doesn’t seem to have positive effects shortly, get on the phone with your doctor again and have him prescribe another type of shampoo. Also be mindful to avoid scratching your scalp which could break the skin and cause an infection.

Barb Quinn on Google+  

For further discussion on itchy scalp or dry scalp you might want to check out these other articles:

• My Hair Remedy for Dandruff, Oily Hair & Head Lice
• Scalp Sores
• Winter Beauty Hair Care Tip
• Dandruff and dry itchy scalp
• Hair Scalp Treatment
• Itchy Scalp or Dry Scalp Remedies