What to know before colouring your hair at home

Few things are as trying--and rewarding--as learning how to color your hair at home. But as anyone who has done it knows, there is a reason why hair salons are so expensive. 

For a first-timer, coloring your hair can be quite a daunting task. You would require to know how to go about it. 

Experts say not following proper instructions given on the hair coloring boxes is one of the top reasons for women to wind up back at the salon for pricey fixes.

Whether you are looking for natural black, auburn, dark brown, or highlights, Rachit Gupta, Director, OxyGlow Cosmetics Pvt. Ltd. shares pro secrets for getting the right hair color of your dreams.

Hair coloring is a chemical treatment that changes the look and texture of your hair. There are risks to the process. In such cases, it is always advisable to look for products that are herbal and help you achieve the desired hair color with minimal to no side effects. There are good herbal brands in the market offering you a wide range of herbal hair colors for both men and women.

You can now color your hair at home alone, or with the help of a friend or family member. Before you begin the process, it is advisable to do a hair color test to avoid any allergic reaction. You would also be required to choose the shade that would suit your skin tone. The best way for this is to choose two shades lighter or darker than your skin tone. Most hair colors for women have different shades and so you would need to spend time searching for the perfect color for you.

When you apply the color make sure you don't forget about the product on your hair. This can cause an itchy and dry scalp. Sometimes the color comes out in a different shade than you expected. Ensure you set a timer to wash the product off. Post a wash, you would be required to use a conditioner. This is a crucial step as it helps retain the color and preserves your hair's texture. Ensure that your shampoo and conditioner are color-safe. Remember that treated hair will process color more quickly, so you don't want to leave it on as long.

When dyeing your hair, yourself, stay within two shades, lighter or darker, of your current color. Remember that your result will be somewhere between your natural color and the photo on the box. Sometimes women go to the parlor to color their hair. You could want streaks and the best way to achieve that color would be at a parlor as most of us do not know how to section and color our hair that well.

Use a head cap to prevent color from fading in the sun Always wear a cap to keep hair from lightening. The sun works like bleach, breaking down not only artificial color but also the melanin that gives natural hair its pigment.

Most of the men use a hair color at home to cover greys. The hair color for men comes in basic shades and it is easier to get it done at home as it requires less time and effort.

If you have a medical condition or excessive dandruff then using a hair color might aggravate the situation. Consult a dermatologist to help with the situation. People who experience severe hair fall should also try to avoid harmful chemicals being added to their hair as this makes the hair more brittle.