FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
DIRTY OR CLEAN HAIR BEFORE CHEMICAL SERVICES?
Q- "I've always heard it is best to come to the salon with dirty hair when I'm getting color done."
GREAT QUESTION!! Because I have been asked this quite a lot.
The "dirty-hair rule" isn't really true.. maybe it used to be true? Or just kind of true.. just not to the extreme as most people would think when they have heard this 'advice'. A gentle washing (and conditioning) of hair, the day or night prior to your appointment is a far better rule to go by. Too much sebum / oil (or products such as waxes or silicones) can create a different porosity level at your roots..
ON SCALP BLEACH / LIGHTENER?
The dirty-hair-rule idea is based on the idea that the oil on your scalp will be a barrier for these stronger chemicals. In the case you are planning a service that requires on-the-scalp lightening process, it is advised to come in with fairly clean hair to ensure best results. Shampoo the night, or day prior. Be gentle.. rough scrubbing or brushing can irritate your scalp the days prior to your appointment. Skin abrasions will open up more possibility of burning sensation and scalp irritation. Please know that as a precaution your appointment for any on-scalp treatment should be rescheduled for a later date if you have any compromised areas on or near your scalp. Alert your hairstylist.. send photos by text if you are unsure.. it may be possible to work around if it's just one specific area.. covering just one area with a thick protective cream, is usually a possibility.
HIGHLIGHTS? LOWLIGHTS? FOILS? BALAYAGE? Your stylist would actually prefer working on relatively clean hair, especially when you will be getting these type hair color services.. which are applied to Dry hair. Your hair will be shampooed, usually only AFTER your hair has processed. It is fine to have some hair products in your hair as long as they aren't especially heavy and oily. Hair spray or hair fixatives that can be easily brushed out are just fine.
ON SCALP HAIR COLOR? Many salon chemicals have become gentler over the years and my experience is that sometimes color, including Permanent colors won't cover resistant gray hair as well when the scalp and roots are TOO dirty or makeup applied is coating the roots right at the hairline. This is especially true when Demi colors are used, as they are very gentle and your color may not take (or hold) as well on hair that is coated with sebum/scalp oil or even cosmetics. In such cases when only the hairline is affected, I keep Witch Hazel to cleanse makeup off of the hairline, just prior to the chemical service. Witch Hazel is a gentle cleansing astringent (think facial toner) that can be applied directly to the skin without irritation, and it dries quickly.
COME AS YOU ARE PRIOR TO THE FOLLOWING SERVICES:
HAIR CUT ONLY? PERMANENT OR BODY WAVE, KERATIN TREATMENT? No worries.. come as your are... you will be receiving a shampoo PRIOR to the chemical service anyhow, so this would be a non-issue.)
GREAT QUESTION!! Because I have been asked this quite a lot.
The "dirty-hair rule" isn't really true.. maybe it used to be true? Or just kind of true.. just not to the extreme as most people would think when they have heard this 'advice'. A gentle washing (and conditioning) of hair, the day or night prior to your appointment is a far better rule to go by. Too much sebum / oil (or products such as waxes or silicones) can create a different porosity level at your roots..
ON SCALP BLEACH / LIGHTENER?
The dirty-hair-rule idea is based on the idea that the oil on your scalp will be a barrier for these stronger chemicals. In the case you are planning a service that requires on-the-scalp lightening process, it is advised to come in with fairly clean hair to ensure best results. Shampoo the night, or day prior. Be gentle.. rough scrubbing or brushing can irritate your scalp the days prior to your appointment. Skin abrasions will open up more possibility of burning sensation and scalp irritation. Please know that as a precaution your appointment for any on-scalp treatment should be rescheduled for a later date if you have any compromised areas on or near your scalp. Alert your hairstylist.. send photos by text if you are unsure.. it may be possible to work around if it's just one specific area.. covering just one area with a thick protective cream, is usually a possibility.
HIGHLIGHTS? LOWLIGHTS? FOILS? BALAYAGE? Your stylist would actually prefer working on relatively clean hair, especially when you will be getting these type hair color services.. which are applied to Dry hair. Your hair will be shampooed, usually only AFTER your hair has processed. It is fine to have some hair products in your hair as long as they aren't especially heavy and oily. Hair spray or hair fixatives that can be easily brushed out are just fine.
ON SCALP HAIR COLOR? Many salon chemicals have become gentler over the years and my experience is that sometimes color, including Permanent colors won't cover resistant gray hair as well when the scalp and roots are TOO dirty or makeup applied is coating the roots right at the hairline. This is especially true when Demi colors are used, as they are very gentle and your color may not take (or hold) as well on hair that is coated with sebum/scalp oil or even cosmetics. In such cases when only the hairline is affected, I keep Witch Hazel to cleanse makeup off of the hairline, just prior to the chemical service. Witch Hazel is a gentle cleansing astringent (think facial toner) that can be applied directly to the skin without irritation, and it dries quickly.
COME AS YOU ARE PRIOR TO THE FOLLOWING SERVICES:
HAIR CUT ONLY? PERMANENT OR BODY WAVE, KERATIN TREATMENT? No worries.. come as your are... you will be receiving a shampoo PRIOR to the chemical service anyhow, so this would be a non-issue.)