Is there any thing I can do to prevent my dye from coming out when I straighten?

Paul Greff wrote:
I am totally new to the hair care world. up until last week, I had never done
anything to my hair. I have really curly, brown hair and I decided that I want
straight, black hair. I recently dyed my hair black with some Revlon hair dye
and am using a chi hair straightener every day. I am noticing now, after less
than a week that everytime I wash my hair more and more dye is coming out. I
think it’s from the constant hair straightening. Is there any thing I can do to
prevent my dye from coming out when I straighten? should I wait a few days
after dying my hair to begin straightening it? or would some heat protecting
serum prevent my dye from coming out? if so, what should I use?

Dear Paul,

Thank you for e-mailing us your questions.

There are several factors that I would like to address to possibly help you get a better understanding about what going on with your new found Doo. Let’s start with the black dye. I know you used Revlon hair dye (a good to it your self choice). The truth about black hair dye is that no matter the brand or how expensive it may be it is never the less, BLACK. Black hair dye is the hardest color in the spectrum to strip clean out of the hair shaft. It is not the easiest color to work with because of the color depth.

Dyeing your hair black TIPS

Now that you started the initial process of dyeing your hair, I would like to suggest that you try these few steps on your next retouch.

1. The main objective when using a black hair dye is to deposit color into the hair shaft and cuticle. Revlon hair dye’s come in a box with two main components, the dye and the developer (a creamy white liquid known as peroxide). Hair color developers come in several levels of potency known as volumes e.i.20 volume such as the one that you will find in most home products. The purpose for the developer is to strip your existing color so the new color can be deposited. Black hair dye is strong enough so that you don’t need much stripping if any. These 20 volume peroxide developers can be diluted with just about any filler that is hair friendly; water, egg yoke for protein, hair moisturizers and conditioners.

2. Next time you dye your hair black; use a 10 volume developer instead of the usual 20 volume. To achieve this, just add one part water and one part developer, throw the rest away. Don’t apply the black hair dye to your ends until the last 5 to ten minutes of the processing time. Hair ends are much more porous than the rest of the hair and tend to suck up all the color. The middle of the hair should be dyed first; it is the most resistant part of the hair. If the timing required is 25 to 30 minutes, than leave the dye on the middle part for at least 15 minutes before applying it to you roots. Your hair ends should always be last especially with black hair dye.

The after care and styling come second in my list of most important steps. Buy a good color protecting shampoo, a good straightening serum and a thermal heat protector cream. Avoid using your flat iron every day if you can help it (black wavy hair is pretty too) and don’t worry about the amount of dye that comes out when you wash your hair, that is normal for up to 20 days after coloring. Be careful not to over process your hair and scalp.

Good Luck and let me know how every thing turned out.

Yvonne.