1) The document discusses the different types of hair dyes - temporary, semi-permanent, and permanent - and their pros and cons. 2) Permanent hair dye requires regular touch-ups, chemical mixing, and often bleaching, which can damage the hair. Semi-permanent dye is harder to remove but doesn't require bleaching. 3) Hair dyeing comes with responsibilities like protecting colored hair from chemicals and heat. Following instructions carefully is important to avoid damage or unwanted results.

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Erika Vaughn
Ms. Bennett
British Literature
9 September 2011
Heads of Colors
Is your hair colorless, plain, and just no fun? Within this research, there will be
discussions about the pros and cons of coloring and bleaching hair, along with why people take
the time and money to change their look. Whether having one’s hair done professionally or at
home, hair dying can be very dangerous, especially if bleach is being used. If the color is not
applied correctly the result can be a total loss of hair, or permanently damaged hair. Hair dying is
a great way to express how a person feels, or even where a person came from. If coloring is
something that is wanted to be done, it definitely should be done, even if there are advantages
and disadvantages to coloring hair. Hair dying can be an non-permanent experience of change or
a permanent experience that can take weeks or even months to get rid of. Some people have been
known to have color stay in their hair for years due to the fact they cannot get rid of it, even after
they have it professionally fixed. Overall, hair dying is a great experiment to play around with,
but at the same time should be done with great care.
There are three main types of hair color; temporary, semi- or demi- permanent, and
permanent. People who want a daily hair color change should definitely go with temporary hair
color, because it will wash out in just a few washes, due to the fact it is just a gel or cream that
coats the hair (The Beauty Brains). This way of coloring is one of the best overall. A person does
not have to worry about having a certain hair color for a long period of time, especially if the
person will end of hating the way it looks.

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Semi and demi permanent hair color is the next type of hair dye. This hair dye stains the
hair, and takes much longer to wash out (The Beauty Brains). After six to twelve washes, the dye
starts to fade (Natural Beauty Care). Semi and demi hair dyes are also known as “direct dyes,”
since they stain the hair (The Beauty Brains). This hair color is harder to work with. It does not
allow people to be able to put lighter colors on top of dark colors (The Beauty Brains). For
example, people will not be able to put blonde highlights on top of black or dark brown hair.
The last type of hair dye is permanent. Permanent hair dye is more tedious than the other
two types, due the fact that people will have to keep the hair touched up just about every month.
There is also a lot of mixing of chemicals that has to be done before a person can start dying their
hair (Natural Beauty Care). Most of the time, especially if people have dark hair, they have to
bleach their hair (The Beauty Brains). Bleaching is where oxidative like chemicals are applied to
the hair to remove the natural color of the hair (The Beauty Brains). For example, if a
professional had a client come in and she had black hair but wanted blue under layers, the
hairdresser would have to strip all of the black off of her hair by using bleach before he or she
would be able to apply the blue. There is only one big down side to permanent hair color, and it
is that it damages the hair because of all the chemicals that have to be applied to the hair (The
Beauty Brains).
Bleach can be worn as a color also. Bleach turns hair to an off-blond color. Using bleach
is a big concern, as stated above. Bleach comes in many strengths; some are even illegal to get
(Helium). For example, the eighteen percent or sixty volume bleach can be illegal to get
(Helium). Bleach is safest when it is used at its weaker stage (Helium). Bleach dying is a more
obvious way of coloring due to the fact you can see the changing of the hair immediately,
especially on dark brown or black hair. Dark hair, like brown and black colored hair, will have to

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keep bleach applied on the hair much longer than light hair. Some people have to keep bleach on
their hair for up to an hour and a half.
With dying hair, comes responsibility. Just because people can be lazy with none colored
hair, does not mean you can do it with colored hair. Colored hair needs more attentions, due to
the fact you are weakening the hair with the mixture you are applying to the hair. After dying the
hair, it would be smart to apply heat seeker before applying a hot iron, curlers or even drying
hair. Heat seeker protects the hair from breaking and frying from the excessive amount of heat
that will be applied to the hair. Another way to protect colored hair is by wearing a swimming
cap while swimming ("Hair Care For Colored"). Even if one uses a cap during swimming, it is
important to wash the hair after because the chlorine can make certain hair colors turn different
colors ("Hair Care For Colored"). When washing colored hair, people need to use products that
are specifically made for color hair ("Hair Care For Colored"). For example, one bottle may say
color shield. This means that that one product is made especially for colored hair. Conditioner is
a key factor because it restores all of the natural oils that may have been removed ("Hair Care
For Colored"). If hair is well kept and cleaned, the hair itself and the color will last a long time.
Whether one’s hair is done professionally or at home, the main question that should
always go through a person’s mind is, “Will I be ok with my hair staying colored like it is for
weeks or even months?” Someone who is indecisive should stick with temporary hair color or
the semi or demi color, since it washes out in a reasonable amount of time, but if they want to
take the time to have to go back and do touch-ups every two to three weeks, permanent is
another way to go. Hair dying should be taking seriously; it is not something that can be undone
when done, if done wrong and ends up hurting the individual.

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Caution! Make sure to read instructions. Instructions are the most important step in hair
coloring (What the World). If coloring is done incorrectly, a person can be looking at hair loss,
or permanent damage (What the World). Most hair dyes also tell people to test the color before
applying to make sure the person is not allergic. By testing the dye people will be able to prevent
irritation. Irritation on the scalp is a very uncomfortable experience and can also make people
think you have lice, due to the fact it makes your head itch. It can also leave a rash on the head.
This will make it hard to wash the hair, leaving a person to have oily hair, which is very
unattractive.
People also need to think about their situations over all. If someone is pregnant, they are
not supposed to get their hair dyed, because of the ammonia in the products. Yes, pregnant
women can get their hair dyed, but the hair dye is much more expensive than the regular hair dye
that everyone else can use. This hair dye still has all the chemicals as the others do, but is safer to
use since the hair dye goes into the roots of the hair. Yes other hair dye goes into the roots, but
they also have the ammonia in the mixture, of which pregnant women are not suppose to be
around.
With all the downsides to hair dying, why do people go ahead and take the chances of
hair dying? Some people will change their looks due to what they are called in school, work or
just overall. For example, most blondes are called “dumb blondes,” and it kills their ego, due to
the fact most blondes are not dumb, they are exceptionally smart. Rumors like these can make a
person want to dye their hair, and change their look, to try and avoid getting called names. Some
blondes will go to a brown color or extreme dark or neon color. Young people are not the only
ones who dye their hair. The majority of people dying their hair are older people, due to the fact
they have gray hair and find it unattractive in most ways. Most people do not like the dull plain

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look that the gray gives, because people think that if they have gray hair than they are old. This is
not true; people in their late twenties are starting to have gray hair (Gray Hair is Sexy). Gray hair
has also been known to fall under a sexual category (Gray Hair is Sexy). People have searched
the internet studying people and found that most people do not have gray hair; instead everyone
is dying it, due to the fact gray hair is not an attractive appearance (Gray Hair is Sexy). Gray hair
can also be viewed from the point that some people, just cannot pull it off like others can. The
dull colored hair can wash people out, not matching their skin tone.
Skin tone is another reason why people dye their hair. People with a soft complexion
cannot pull off some dark colors; they have to stay with the lighter colors, like blondes and soft
browns. Not just soft-toned complexion people have to watch what color they dye their hair.
People with very dark complexions can do over it when they go very dark. People with a golden
glow should stick milder colors, along the shades of browns. Hair dying can change looks, yes,
but if people do not match up the right color with skin tones, it can result in the client not liking
the outcome. Again, all hair color mistakes cannot be fixed.
Overall, hair dying can be expensive if done incorrectly or can result in complete hair
loss. By following the steps correctly, everyone can prevent falling victim to hair mistakes.
Following instructions will help in not having to spend large amounts of money to get the hair
fixed. Even though people can fix mistakes, people need to keep in mind that some mistakes
cannot be undone. People do not need to change their look to look better. Everyone looks
amazing, just the way they are. People should also not change to fit in, because if one person
changes for another, the people or person you are changing for may just be seeing how far they
can push you.