Hair coloring, especially by women, has been around for centuries. The use of natural, plant-based dyes such as henna and indigo has been common and customary, but factors such as the limited variety of desired colors, the time required for the coloring process, the permanence of the color, etc., were among the factors that led to the development of modern hair dyes using oxidative chemicals to achieve the desired results.
The types of oxidative chemical dyes are as follows:
• Temporary Dye.
• Semi-Permanent Dye
• Demi-Permanent Dye
• Permanent Dye
Which can react with different layers of the hair:
Cuticle – the outer protective layer that must be opened for the color to penetrate.
Cortex – where the natural pigment (melanin) is stored and modified by the color.
Medulla – the innermost part that is less affected by the color.
To dye, we need two products that are mixed in 1:1 and 1:2 ratios to create the desired color:
1- Hair Color (Dye Pigment) – The actual color that will be deposited onto the hair.
2- Developer (Oxidizing Agent) – Activates the dye and helps it penetrate the hair shaft. Common strengths include 10, 20, 30, and 40 volume
High-grade developers should be used by professionals
Sometimes hair dye has additives such as conditioners, oils, etc. to further protect the hair.