Things you didn't know about coloring your hair or dyeing !

If you are thinking about changing your hair color you should know that you have two options for this: dyeing the hair or coloring your hair. Although the two will give optimum coverage and brightness they also have differences. The first is permanent whilst the second is not and each technique has some advantages and disadvantages that you should know before making a decision according to your preferences, the color you want to apply, etc. At One How To we explain in detail what the difference between hair color and hair dye is so that you can make a decision knowing what each entails. Are you ready? Let’s go!

You may also be interested in: 5 Tips Before Trying Natural Hair Dye

Coloring your hair

Hair coloring is also known as ammonia free dye. Its main advantage is that it is vegetable based and so has no chemicals, making it less harmful for the scalp. Hair color stays on the surface of the hair, it does not penetrate inside. This product has two main uses, which are also 2 of the differences between hair color and hair dye:

• To change your hair color without this change being permanent. For example, are you are going to a carnival party or an event where you want or need to change your hair color? You can use a hair colorant but you should be aware that it will last some time.
• To brighten your hair without changing its color. If you have a natural hair color you like but think it lacks gloss you can also use a hair colorant. It will provide some light with limited damage to the scalp. Remember that as the color fades it will be barely noticeable.

One of the main advantages of hair color is that it gradually disappears without it being very noticeable, mainly because it does not grow out from the root. What happens is that the colors washes out a little at each wash. It usually last between 25 and 30 washes, or between 4 and 5 weeks. This is also the main difference between hair color and hair dye.

Its purchase and use are extremely simple. You can buy it in a supermarket or in a shop specializing in hair products but it is not necessary to go to a center to have it applied as you can do it at home. It is applied in a way that is very similar to how shampoo is used: you just have to distribute the product evenly through the hair from root to tip and the massage and rinse.

Hair dye

Permanent hair dye does contain ammonia and so can damage our hair. For this reason we must care for it with moisturizing and repairing masks. It is the typical coloring used in salons and it serves to permanently color our hair, which is one of the differences between hair color and hair dye. Hair dye penetrates that hair deeply, and this is the main difference between hair color and hair dye. The two main uses of hair dye are as follows:

• It is ideal for people with grey hair as it offers complete cover. With Hair Color the grey may still be noticeable, depending on where these hairs are located.
• To change our hair color permanently, although this is not really a permanent change because we can always put another color on top. What we mean by 'permanently' is that it does not disappear with hair wash like the hair color does. The only way to remove it is to put another hair dye on top.

The main advantage of this type of dying is that it does not fade with time, so you can keep your new hair color will a continuous shine, brightness and powerful tone. But this technique also has its disadvantages. The most notable one is that the roots need redoing about every month as these grow and show the natural hair color. For example, if you are natural brunette and you have dyed your hair blond it will be noticeable, so you do not want to wait too long before you have it retouched. The same applies to grey hair. But if the color difference is not very noticeable it will keep a little longer. Here is the difference between hair color and hair dye.

One point to notice is that most hair dye are commercially named "hair colors", probably because the name "dye" suggests an aggressive coloring, like the one used for clothes. So you should always check the ammonia content if you want to know whether you are buying hair color or hair dye, now that you know that is the main difference between hair color and hair dye.

Now that you know the difference between hair color and hair dye, if you are ready for a new look with a permanent dye you will likely be unsure of which color you should go for. In our articles how to choose the color of hair dye and how to choose hair color according to skin tone we give you some recommendations that you will find very useful.