So finally, I have gotten tired of the increasing amount of gray in my hair and decided to do something about it. I've never colored my hair before or done any other kind of chemical treatment. I would rather not take on the time and expense of salon coloring, if I can avoid it. I'm starting slow with a demi-permanent color (the kind that gradually washes out over a month or so) in case of disaster.
The instructions say to do a patch test first, but also say not to wash the area for 48 hours. I can't go that long without showering. Is the patch test and/or the 48-hour wait time really necessary?
Thanks, everyone! The good news is, I skipped the patch test and had no reaction. The bad news is, the color didn't do a thing for my gray. Looks like it's off to the salon.
I personally have never done the patch test, but I have also been that woman at Walmart at midnight with a ball cap on looking for a new box to fix a color disaster. But, that has happened literally once in over 20 years of coloring my hair, and i have done just about every color under the sun. Just experiment and have fun with it.
Beauty schools often do hair color for a fraction of the costs. A stylist will give you a more natural look by using more than one shade. Box color is typically flat, even if it swears it gives highlights and lowlights.
Well, if it's to test how the color will turn out, you can try testing on some loose hair collected from your hairbrush.
If the patch test is to determine if you'll have an allergic reaction to the chemicals - they are not exactly talking about you hair but a patch of your skin anywhere on you (can be not visible under your clothes somewhere).
Most people will skip it.
I switched to henna years ago and love the auburn I get from it.
You could try henna.
a patch test isn't done on the hair ... it's done on the skin. It's to make sure you're not going to react in a REALLY bad way to the product. Technically you should do it before EVERY color/perm/etc because it can happen between one time and the next.
Trust me chemical burns/reactions are NOT a fun thing to have happen. Do the patch test (usually recommended on the inside of the elbow) and just don't wash that spot ... in fact you could put one of those waterproof band-aids over it for the two days. If you have ANY kind of reaction DO NOT use that brand.
If you change brands ... do another patch test.
Good luck.
I would just take a shower, and not wash your hair. Put it in a bun on top of your head.
it's not good for your hair to be washed every day, anyway. It strips the natural oils that keep hair strong out.
If you tend to have sensitive skin, or have reacted to soaps/lotions/sunscreens in the past, I would do the patch test. If your skin is fairly resilient, I wouldn't bother.
I have never done a patch test and I've used pretty much every product out there to color my hair. I'm sure you're SUPPOSED to, but I bet 98% of women don't.
My advice, though, is to use no products the day you color your hair. For example, wash your hair normally on Friday morning, use whatever products you normally do, and then don't wash on Saturday morning. Instead, color your hair. You'll use conditioner after coloring that comes with the color. I generally take a shower at that time (but no shampoo!!). Then Sunday you can get up and do your regular routine. Your hair color will last longer and stay more shiny/vibrant if you use a color shampoo rather than a regular one.
Well, I have been coloring my hair for almost 20 years with no patch test. And when I do go to a salon they do not do a test either.....
If you do have sensitive skin or a lot of allergies, then definitely do it though... better safe than sorry.
Or make your first time at a salon.
Good luck!
You can still shower,just don't use soap on the area you do the patch test on. If the test area doesn't show and kind of redness or reaction,you will be good to go. But you can be coloring your hair for years and have a reaction. Personally I have never had a reaction to hair color. I used to do hair years ago too. I did have one client that I was coloring his hair for months and he had a reaction, just itching,but a reaction. I had him put conditioner on his scalp and leave it for half a hour,which helped the itch.
Good luck
Put a shower cap on. It doesn't say not to shower, it says not to wash the area.
IMO you are so much better off going to a salon. You can just get a single color for maybe $30. No need to get it blown dry etc. home colors tend to turn as times goes on.
