DEFINITION

A hair colourant is a product which, when it is applied to the hair will change the colour of the hair. For differing reasons problems sometimes arise when using a hair colourant.

DESCRIPTION

BLEACHING
BLEACHING - Hair can become 'brittle' as a result of a bleach being used too often or a perm solution being used on bleached hair. Avoid damage by trimming the hair and using a good quality hair shampoo and conditioner, testing the hair before applying any perm and using the bleaching agent only on regrowth hair.
REGROWTH OF THE NATURAL HAIR COLOUR - Dark roots usually appear as the hair regrows. A solution may be to
apply a hair colour which is slightly lighter in colour than the natural colour of the hair.
HAIR TURNS AN ORANGE COLOUR - This may be caused by not enough of the blonding agent being used to cover the existing red pigment in the hair. Depending on the hair quality, try using a stronger bleach initially or re-apply the original blonding emulsion.
REMOVING HAIR COLOURANT FROM THE HAIR - A hair colourant removing product may not work because a semi-permanent hair colourant has been used and many brands of hair colourant removers only work on permanent hair colourants or a bleach was used on the hair and bleach removes the natural pigment of the hair. Read the notes on precautions on using a bleach in the hair.
BLUE/GREEN HAIR - This may be caused by a hair colourant remover which has been coloured with a semi-permanent rinse.
Sometimes using a suitable bleach on the hair for a few minutes will reduce the green/blue colour.
ORANGE COLOUR HAIR - May result from using a permanent hair colourant which promotes the natural red pigment of the hair. Try using a suitable hair colour toner.

PERMANENT HAIR COLOURANTS
HAIR TOO DARK - This may be caused by the wrong colour /shade being used, or the hair may have been permed, bleached or is too porous and has absorbed more of the hair colourant, or a suitable retouch solution was not used before the application of the hair colourant.Use a lighter shade of colourant or consider using a retouch application before a hair colourant. Using a suitable commercial product on the hair or even a mild soap before using the hair colourant may prevent hair from turning too dark from a colourant.
HAIR TOO DARK ON ENDS: This may be caused by the hair colourant not being left on the hair for a suitable time or a suitable retouch solution not being used before the application of the hair colourant. A solution may be to make sure that the hair colourant is applied to the roots of the hair only or use a suitable commercial product or even a mild soap on the hair before using the hair colourant.
HAIR TURNS ORANGE AFTER SHAMPOOING - This can happen when the hair colourant used was too light in colour or the hair colourant was not left in the hair for the correct time. Use a darker colourant, find out the ideal time for the colourant to be left in the hair by doing a test on a lock of the hair, use a suitable commercial hair toner which will help to keep the colourant in the hair.
HAIR LOOKS TOO RED - Sometimes using a hair colourant on hair already bleached may be caused by using a colourant which is too light or too red.Try using a suitable toner on the hair. Consider using an ash shade of hair colourant to help tone down any red colour.
ALLERGY TO HAIR COLOURANT - Some hair colourants make the scalp tingle or itch and may even burn the scalp in some people. Some people are allergic to certain hair colourants and it may be important to do a test patch before using the hair colourant.
STAINED SKIN - Try to keep the hair colourant off the face to avoid staining the skin. Remove as soon as possible any hair colourant from the skin by smearing on a concentrated shampoo. Sometimes using a perfume or a cologne on the stain will help to remove it.
GREY HAIR - If the hair colourant will not cover grey hair, this may be because the hair colourant was not dark enough. Consider using a darker hair colourant.
PERMING AND COLOURANTS
Using a perm may fade the hair colour or damage the hair. Perm the hair at least a week before using a hair colourant so that it can recover from the perm.
COLOURANT DID NOT WORK - If a hair colourant has been used and did not colour the hair this may be a result of using a lighter colour over a darker colour. Do not use a lighter colourant on darker coloured hair.

SEMI-PERMANENT COLOURANTS
HAIR TOO DARK - After using the semi-permanent the hair colour may be too dark if the wrong shade of colourant was used or the hair is too porous and has absorbed too much of the colourant. Bleached or permed hair are two examples of hair which may be too porous. Try using a shampoo to wash some of the colourant out of the hair which may help to make the hair colour lighter.
HAIR COLOUR NOT SUITABLE - The hair colour may not suitable due to the wrong shade of colourant being used in the hair or because the hair contains too many grey hairs. Try to take care in choosing a suitable hair colourant. If the hair is grey, use a suitable permanent hair colourant that is recommended for grey hair.

PHARMACIST'S ADVICE

Ask your Pharmacist for advice.
1) Always use a special shampoo and conditioner especially designed for permed, coloured or treated hair. Some hair shampoos and conditioners may not be suitable for permed, coloured or treated hair. Ask the Pharmacist which product is best for your hair.
2) Do not bleach hair too frequently. Bleaching can cause hair to become brittle and break easily.
3) Read the instructions carefully on the colourant package. Be sure to use a product that is suitable for your hair colour and type.
4) Some people may have an allergic reaction to some hair products. Test a patch of hair first to ensure the product is suitable for your hair and skin. Beware of a burning sensation on the scalp.
5) Do not use hair colourants during pregnancy.
6) Leave the colourant on the hair for the specified time. Too long may damage the hair and too short a time may not reach the desired effect.
7) There are many other products available to help in the use of hair colourants. Ask your Pharmacist about special caps, gloves and brushes designed for hair colouring. Also, ask your Pharmacist about a cream which can be applied around the hairline to prevent the hair colourant staining the skin e.g. Vaseline.
8) Nutritional supplements may be of some benefit to help improve the condition of the hair. Vitamin A and zinc may be of benefit. The B group vitamins are useful for stress management. Stress is thought to contribute to some hair conditions.

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