To drugstore box dye, or not to.... it is the question... and many women actually don't know the answer or the effects it can really have on their hair and how it may cause you a frustration later down the road.
Now as a stylist in training you make think I am being a little bias but I have seen first hand some pretty ugly things that can happen after using a box dye on your hair, some never show negative results, but is it worth the risk?
Now the thing about hair dye from a box, especially in mens hair dye, is a nasty thing called metallic salts.
Now this will cause your hair if your not careful when you do any sort of chemical treatment will fry your hair from the inside out! It leaves a deposit on your hair, that if you go to get it professionally dyed or corrected, the results can be uneven or turn out pretty bad. In one case I have seen a girl who had boxed dyed her hair a light brown and wanted to go back to her blonde she had previous, deciding she didn't want to try bleaching from a box she came in to the salon, she did't tell the stylist or rather lied and said she had never used a box dye and that lie was soon revealed. Once the lightener had been placed on the hair, most of it lightened to the perfect blonde, and other places where the metallic salts deposits turned pink.
Now this won't always happen but it is a strong chance it will, this was only a minor injury compared to what can happen, you really have no control, nor does your stylist when it comes to coloring hair with metallic salts deposits. The best thing to do if you have used a box dye and are looking to get a professional color, try washing your hair for 1-2 weeks with a cleansing shampoo, this will help strip the color and deposits, although you may not be able to clear it all it may help, but remember to condition as cleansing shampoos can be harsh.
if your thinking "but Liv, I don't have the money to get my hair done at a salon" Well my suggestion would be to look up your nearest beauty or hair school, often students are supervised by their teachers and the prices are almost the same as a box of dye, and you will get a stylist who has a fresh zest for hairdressing and one that will try their best to achieve what you want.
stay informed xo
