It’s safe to say that if not all of us, most of us go through those phases where we need to change something in our style. And our hair is sometimes the most obvious or accessible point of, let’s say, re-creation.
As you may already know, dying hair often damages the strands of our hair. Though we may end up with an awesome color, if our locs feel and look dry and brittle we may all of a sudden have new challenges on our hands. If in fact you are experiencing that itch and urge to dye your locs, here are our tips to dye your hair safely, so that you look your best no matter what! If it’s just that time to dye your locs, here’s how to go about it safely.
Consider Dying Your Hair Professionally
Before we get into why we feel it's important to dye your locs professionally, we also want to stress how much we value a budgeted lifestyle. We’ve all been there before, needing to cut back in order to prioritize. And even when we’re stressing and budgeting, we still want to pamper ourselves and look our best. So, if going to a loctician or colorist is not in your budget right now, feel free to skip on down to the next section. However, if you think you might be able to splurge on dying your hair with a professional and want to dye your hair with limited risks, plan a visit to your colorist. It’s important to know that there is a difference between the dye you purchase from the beauty supply store and supermarket as opposed to the dye professional locticians and salons use. Hair dye is a chemical afterall.
The more strategically the dye is applied to the locs, the more carefully the chemical is mixed, and the higher the quality of the dye, the less damage it will cause. We’re talking both short and long term for your locs and strands. If you’ve dyed your locs in the past, colorists will also have the skills to carefully apply the dye gradually to achieve your desired color. Certain tones take some time to achieve, which your colorist will be attuned to. By visiting a colorist you may avoid color damage or loc breakage, which is no fun or cheap wound to heal.
Opt for a Henna Alternative
If your hair is dry and you're set on dying your locs, opt for henna dyes which are less damaging to the locs. Henna dye needs to be mixed with tea in order for it to work, which sounds a lot safer than your other acidic solutions. Henna colors are limited though, which is why many look for dyes that are not henna, but have less harmful chemicals than your basic box of hair dye. Speaking of color, if and when you can avoid using bleach, do avoid. Bleach is one of the leading ingredients which result in loc breakage and color damage.
Get Ready to Rinse Well Condition and Treat
Whether you’ve opted for a professional colorist or went for the DIY route, you’ll want to deep condition your locs after the water has run clear from rinsing all the excess dye out. Do not leave in extra dye hoping to achieve better results. The dye that remains in your hair will eat away at the hair with its high acidity levels and cause breakage. Once the dye has been washed from your locs, hydrate your locs with maximum moisture. Opt for a moisture treatment, take advantage of your favorite natural oils, and don’t be afraid of your natural leave-in conditioners all week long. And guess what (spoiler alert!) Dr Locs is going to release color treated products this year, woo woo! The fun has only just begun!
Our Final Thoughts on Dying Locs
If this month or year is not the time for you to splurge on a colorist, do talk to your loctician before going through with the coloring process. Get professional tips from someone who knows your locs well, and knows how to color locs professionally. Then do a strand test the night before to make sure you’re not allergic and that your locs can handle the dye. If you're going to opt for bleach, test strand multiple strands to see the minimal time your hair will require to achieve the color you desire. It’s also recommended to use high quality bleach, if you just can’t resist. Try to keep the bleach away from the roots and please moisturize your locs daily!
