Hair color can be that amazing magic wand that instantly transforms a person. It can also instantly erase years of age by covering gray, adding depth to fading colors and cranking up overall shine. Hair color can sometimes go horribly wrong. Whether applied at home or by a stylist highest priced salon in town, hair color can sometimes take a bizarre detour and come out any hue, but the one that we hoped for. While hair color disasters are much more common at the hand of bathroom hair wizards, master colorists can sometimes have a bad color day. Yes, it happens. Many hair consumers make the mistake of thinking that hair color is generic and will always come out looking just like the hair color of the beautiful model . There is nothing further from the truth. Another misconception is that anyone who can do hair can do color. Again, not true. Master colorist are an unusual and rare breed of one part hair expert and one par artist, and one part chemist. The best colorists are often gifted with natural talents to transform a drab head of hair into a work of art. Most Mast Colorists have also taken extensive advance classes in this area.
Possible Problems:
If you are experiencing hair color horrors you developed them because of one of two possible paths:
1. You went to stylist and came out with a color disaster.
2. You were swept away by a hair color advertisement and did the dirty color deed to yourself in the privacy of your home. It is important to point out that there is a major distinction between home hair coloring and professional hair coloring. Many consumers think that there is very little difference. This is very far from the truth.
3. Clients fail to tell the stylist of the history of their hair. They don't tell the clients of the chemicals that have been used on their hair. IE: chemical relaxers, perms. Don't assume the stylist should know. Because that is NOT the case. You must disclose this to them
4. A common issues is when a client tells a stylist that they do not have any hair color on their hair. When in fact they do they just have not colored it for months. But where ever hair color has been applied hair color still exists. This can cause major issues during coloring.
Don't get wrapped up in the blame game.
1. You went to stylist and came out with a color disaster.
2. You were swept away by a hair color advertisement and did the dirty color deed to yourself in the privacy of your home. It is important to point out that there is a major distinction between home hair coloring and professional hair coloring. Many consumers think that there is very little difference. This is very far from the truth.
3. Clients fail to tell the stylist of the history of their hair. They don't tell the clients of the chemicals that have been used on their hair. IE: chemical relaxers, perms. Don't assume the stylist should know. Because that is NOT the case. You must disclose this to them
4. A common issues is when a client tells a stylist that they do not have any hair color on their hair. When in fact they do they just have not colored it for months. But where ever hair color has been applied hair color still exists. This can cause major issues during coloring.
Don't get wrapped up in the blame game.
While its good to evaluate what went wrong so you can avoid it again, forgive yourself and your colorist/stylist and focus on fixing the problem. Remember, even the best colorists and stylists in the world can encounter problems. Give them the benefit of the doubt and be willing to let them try and fix the color to your satisfaction. Most professionals will try to correct color problems and will do it at no additional cost, unless you caused the problem in some way. The best colorists do know how to correct their mistakes, so give them a chance to do so. Be sure to ask what the color correction cost is before you agree to try it at the hands of your hair professional. This allows you to be clear about your financial responsibility.
If you went to an unfamiliar colorist or stylist and you are unsure that they can correct the problem, find a color correction expert that you are sure can undo the color damage. When possible, it is always best to stick with the colorist or stylist that made the mistake. Good colorists will know what to do to undo the damage. Going to a second or other stylist or colorists who did not cause the problem can just be asking for additional problems. Try not to panic and take your time to find the best solution for you. Once you have suffered through bad color, try not to panic and rush to find a solution that might cause even more harm. Many people try to fix the color problems themselves once they get home. This will often make the problem a lot worse and potentially damage hair beyond easy repair. Avoid the temptation to add more color or try to remove the color at home with bleach or other harsh chemicals. Once you have a color problem the very best solution is to find a professional color correction expert and work with them to get you back to your desired color.
Color Correction Might Take Several Visits
Many consumers with color correction issues don't realize that hair color can not often be instantly reversed. It can take SEVERAL visits for some serious color problems to be reversed. Also, a client may need to go through hair reconstruction treatments in salon and at home. Some reconstruction treatments that are done in the salon are NEVER sold retail. The reason is the reconstruct is a strong chemical itself. Yes indeed. Hair color is not like paint on furniture that can easily be removed with paint remover. Hair color is a lot more like painting a white wall. Sometimes you can't just paint over the color with corrective white paint. Many times you have to remove the botched color in several steps. The same is true with hair color gone wrong. If you go to a color correction specialist and they tell you that it will take several treatment sessions, take the time to talk to them and find out why before you reject the suggestion outright.
Actions To Avoid
Although you may feel that you can do a miracle fix with the color, at home yourself, historical evidence in not in your favor. While there are color removing products available to professionals stylist and color experts, unless you have a complete knowledge of how to use the formulas, avoid them like the plague. The color removal products often contain strong chemicals or bleach and in the wrong hands they can cause severe hair breakage. Color removal products should never be used on relaxed or permed hair without the advice of a hair expert. If your visions is of a beautiful beige blond turned to Carrot Top orange, only a color expert can safely get you back to a safe color zone. The same is true for purple, pink, blue or some green.
Many people have color disasters with henna. Not only does henna coat the hair, it is highly unpredictable for some users. If a horrid shade of henna is haunting you contact a color expert ONLY. Surviving one really bad hair color experience should help you avoid them in the future. Always make sure that you have a pre-color consultation with your stylist and that you believe you are both on the same hair page. Take photos of your desired hues since stylists work well with a visual view to guide them. Don't scare yourself by watching the color process. Color has to go through a chemical process called Oxidation. This is how the color is developed and the dye molecule are activated. Some color lines will go through strange color changes during this. DO NOT HAVE YOUR STYLIST REMOVE THE COLOR. This interrupts the process and the results will most likely NOT be good at all.
Summary
The key to bouncing back from a bad color experience is to be patient and weigh your recovery options carefully. Unlike a bad haircut, bad hair color can not always easily grow out. If improper remedies are taken to reverse the color disaster, hair may actually rebel and go into a major stress cycle. In some extreme cases hair has been known to fall out. It that's the case you may not have to worry about living with horrible roots but instead will have to deal with no hair at all. Also follow the Colorist's recommendations of products to use. YES, this is very important. Most color specialists will NOT guarantee their work UNLESS you used the correct prescribed products. Remember the stylist knows their products and what works best.
