Is salon hair dye better than box dye?
Are salon hair dyes better? Simply put, when it comes to salon color vs. box dye, it's always best to get your hair colored at the salon by a professional. Salon formulas better for your hair, and having a pro colorist apply it also ensures the best results.
They typically contain high amounts of ammonia, PPDs, nitro dyes, metallic salts, and even unclean henna. These are harsh chemicals that can be extremely damaging to the hair as well as cause reactions to sensitive skin and allergies. When you apply box dye, the hair is permanently altered.
In short—the answer is yes. For starters, the hair color offered in at-home varieties is of a lesser quality than those you find in salons. This is because they contain harsher, more concentrated chemicals and often skip out on the protective ingredients used in a salon setting.
3: Salon color lasts longer and is healthier on your hair than box hair color.
When it comes to salon treatments, the best professional hair color line is Wella Illumina Permanent Creme Hair Color. Available in 36 shades, the colorist-recommended formula is gentle, versatile, and leaves hair oh-so-shiny.
Hair dyes can cause hair damage. Practicing hair-friendly techniques like limiting heat styling and conditioning the hair can help minimize damage whenever possible. Dyeing your hair closer to its natural color may also limit time exposure to hair dyes and help minimize damage.
Yes! Box dye is not formulated to the same standard as professional hair colour. Salon hair colour costs more because it is better quality. It doesn't contain so many harsh ingredients and often works to protect your hair as it colours.
- The Overall Best Permanent Color: REVLON Colorsilk. ...
- The Runner-Up: Garnier Olia. ...
- The Best Demi-Permanent Color: Clairol Natural Instincts. ...
- The Best For Natural-Looking Dimension: L'Oreal Paris Feria. ...
- The Best For Touch-Ups: L'Oreal Paris Magic Root Rescue.
Can Hair Dye Cause Hair Loss? Hair dye cannot penetrate the scalp and reach the follicle where the hair grows. Therefore, hair dye cannot and does not cause hair loss, but it can precipitate hair breakage. Most people who dye their hair use permanent hair color because it lasts longer.
Our best overall pick is Biolage Haircolor, a henna dye that's free from harmful chemicals including ammonia and PPD. We also love Madison Reed Radiant Hair Color Kit, which is free of ammonia, parabens, resorcinol, PDD, phthalates, and gluten, plus the added benefit of being packed with hydrating ingredients.
What hair dye is not damaging?
Semi-permanent hair color is "deposit only,” which means that it won't chemically change the hair shaft and it contains no ammonia or peroxide.
Permanent dyes penetrate deeper into the cortex of the hair, bleach the natural coloring, and trap color particles within the hair shaft. This process can damage the hair. The difference between natural hair color and the color people want to dye their hair may also play a part in hair damage.

Generally, it's safe to re-dye every 6 to 8 weeks.
1. Box dye color only coats the cuticle of your hair but doesn't penetrate to your cortex, making your hair appear and feel dry. However, when you use professional hair color, it penetrates deeply through your cuticles into your hair cortex, thus making it feel silky and look glossy.
- Carrot juice. Try carrot juice if you want to give your hair a reddish-orange tint. ...
- Beet juice. ...
- Henna. ...
- Lemon juice. ...
- Coffee. ...
- Sage. ...
- Chamomile tea.
Should Your Hair Be Dirty or Clean Before Dyeing It? While you may be going greasy out of sheer convenience, it's actually the best thing you could be doing for the health of your hair. “Your hair should be dirty because the natural oils help to protect against the harsh chemicals,” says Fe'.
The silicone found in some home colourants begins to coat the hair, which can make future colour changes or removal troublesome and expensive. Salon colours are mixed fresh and can be combined with bond multiplying products such as Olaplex which can help achieve a more dramatic colour change without damaging hair.
So How Long Should I Wait? We recommend four to six weeks between each hair coloring session, but be sure to take a look at the instructions of your hair coloring kit for the best guidance. Putting some space between colorings will help keep your hair from becoming dry and weak.
Re-dye often, but not too often. Your hair shaft is delicate, and should only be dyed once a month or so. Any sooner than that and it will be prone to breaking, splitting, tangles and straw-like texture.
Generally salon colour lasts longer, not because of the product but because of the application, as it is applied just to the roots, then refreshed rather than applied all over straight away as most home colouring goes. The ends don't get so porous so will last longer.
What is the least damaging black box dye?
Which black hair dye is the least damaging? The Clairol Natural Instincts Demi-Permanent Hair Dye and the Garnier Nutrisse Permanent Hair Color are the least damaging as they are ammonia-free, paraben-free, phthalates-free, and gluten-free.
- Wash your hair less frequently. The more you wash, the quicker your colour will fade – it really is as simple as that. ...
- Skip straight to conditioner. ...
- Pick the right shampoo. ...
- Condition, condition, condition. ...
- Heat Protection. ...
- Make time for masks. ...
- Air dry. ...
- Use filters.
Yes, it is generally safe to color your hair at home as long as you follow the directions on the product's packaging. A few exceptions: You should skip a DIY dye job if you've recently relaxed or permed your hair, since both processes can cause damage.
All-over color is usually cheaper than highlights because it takes less time and work. Highlights also are more likely to damage your hair. Many of the formulas for highlights contain bleach, which dries out your hair.
- Don't leave the dye on your head any longer than needed.
- Rinse your scalp thoroughly with water after using a hair dye.
- Wear gloves when applying hair color.
- Carefully follow the directions in the hair dye package.
- Never mix different hair dye products.
In GH Beauty Lab testing, experts found that Clairol Nice 'n Easy was the best pick for light hair and has a gentler, more conditioning formula.
Hair dyeing does not inhibit hair growth, but it may cause hair loss by damaging the hair that is color treated.
Generally speaking though, it's best to wait 4-6 weeks before having another color treatment – in most cases, this is enough anyway and reduces the risk of hair damage. There are some exceptions, but in general, it's better to err on the side of caution and wait for this long.
Typically, hair dyes are soluble in water. When you wash your hair, dye molecules simply dissolve and your new colour rinses away.
How long does permanent hair dye generally last? Permanent hair dye typically lasts for between four to eight weeks before it grows out or fades (more on that below).
How long does box hair dye last before it fades?
Hair dye boxes typically don't have expiration dates. However, most manufacturers indicate that hair dye has a shelf life of about 3 years.
Generally salon colour lasts longer, not because of the product but because of the application, as it is applied just to the roots, then refreshed rather than applied all over straight away as most home colouring goes. The ends don't get so porous so will last longer.
You may be able to get the look you desire – with the help of a hairdresser! – it just depends on how bad the damage is. It is common for hairdressers to see someone come in with botched bleached hair – this can in some cases be turned into highlights without causing too much further distress to the hair.
Ways to Get Box Dye Out of Hair
“The safest and gentlest way to go is using clarifying shampoo and leave it in for around 15 to 20 minutes,” Tammy suggests, a treatment that can be repeated a few times. She recommends following up with a repairing hair mask like Olaplex No.
"If you leave your color on for too long, there is potential for extra deposit of pigment to occur. You can't make your hair too light by leaving a tint color on too long (unless you're bleaching), but it can make your hair darker than intended," says Tardo.
- First, pick the right color. ...
- Don't mix colors. ...
- Keep it natural—at least, for now. ...
- Test it first. ...
- Get your supplies ready. ...
- Prep your hair and skin. ...
- Start applying the color. ...
- Move on to your part.
13. What Happens If I Put Too Much Developer In The Dye? Your mix will be more wet, & more runny. If it is way too runny, you may end up lightening the hair, but not depositing enough color.
The silicone found in some home colourants begins to coat the hair, which can make future colour changes or removal troublesome and expensive. Salon colours are mixed fresh and can be combined with bond multiplying products such as Olaplex which can help achieve a more dramatic colour change without damaging hair.
Ideally, permanent hair colour would stay just as vibrant as it was the day you coloured it, at least until the roots grow. On most heads of hair, that would mean a good 6-8 weeks between touch-ups.
Best Overall
For at-home color, you can count on Revlon Colorsilk to get the job done without damaging your hair. This permanent ammonia-free hair dye comes in myriad shades, from stark blue-black and rich brown to vibrant red and ultra-light platinum blonde.
What are the healthiest hair dyes?
Our best overall pick is Biolage Haircolor, a henna dye that's free from harmful chemicals including ammonia and PPD. We also love Madison Reed Radiant Hair Color Kit, which is free of ammonia, parabens, resorcinol, PDD, phthalates, and gluten, plus the added benefit of being packed with hydrating ingredients.
“Does box dye damage hair?” Yes! Box dye is not formulated to the same standard as professional hair colour. Salon hair colour costs more because it is better quality. It doesn't contain so many harsh ingredients and often works to protect your hair as it colours.
Hair coloring sessions should be around four to six weeks apart. This is to prevent your hair from becoming brittle and weak. During this time, it's recommended to refresh your hair with conditioning treatments such as masks to keep your hair healthy.
Generally, it's safe to re-dye every 6 to 8 weeks. Permanent hair dye lightens the hair and deposits color.
1. Box dye color only coats the cuticle of your hair but doesn't penetrate to your cortex, making your hair appear and feel dry. However, when you use professional hair color, it penetrates deeply through your cuticles into your hair cortex, thus making it feel silky and look glossy.
- Tints of Nature Hair Dye Made with Organic Ingredients. Tints of Nature has been in the business of creating eco-friendly hair care products for over 20 years. ...
- Herbatint's Hair Dye Extracted from Organic Plants. ...
- Madison Reed's Six Free Hair Dye Formula. ...
- Arctic Fox's Vegan Semi-Permanent Dyes.
- The Overall Best Permanent Color: REVLON Colorsilk. ...
- The Runner-Up: Garnier Olia. ...
- The Best Demi-Permanent Color: Clairol Natural Instincts. ...
- The Best For Natural-Looking Dimension: L'Oreal Paris Feria. ...
- The Best For Touch-Ups: L'Oreal Paris Magic Root Rescue.