There are many options for camouflaging gray hair. It depends on the percentage and also on the results you want to achieve. Either way, you have to avoid pulling them out. Note that removing a single white hair could grow back 100. We are going to talk about modern coloring techniques to effectively hide gray hair.
Balayage coloring
If you are blonde, go for highlights or balayage techniques since your white hair is not that noticeable. For example, if the percentage of white hair is rather high, the blond balayage technique is the most suitable. It is a method that has the effect of neutralizing the yellow reflections and making the visible roots disappear. Unlike conventional coloring, this involves treating only a few strands.
The goal is to shade your natural color so that the first white hairs are hidden in the mass. There are other types of balayage depending on the natural hair color. The Californian sweep is the most famous. It is more about long hair to lighten and brighten it. Then there is the caramel balayage which is more suitable for light brown or light blonde colors, brunettes and dark browns. There is also the reverse balayage on white hair also called the reverse balayage.
The latter happens to be one of the most trendy. As its name suggests, reverse scanning consists of reversing the method. The objective is therefore to make the lightened parts darker. Thus, the rest of the hair appears lighter, even more blond. The play of contrast is, therefore, more accentuated, thus reducing the natural effect.
The advantages and technique of balayage coloring
It’s important to find a perfect tone to match your old color before doing a balayage. In other words, make sure the shade is similar to your natural color. For this purpose, you will not have to often maintain the roots to attenuate the contrasts. In other words, you don’t have to touch up colors regularly. If necessary, do not hesitate to seek advice from a hairstylist or someone who is an expert in professional coloring. The other advantage with the balayage technique is that it requires less care than conventional coloring techniques. In addition, it is a method which is gentler than the technique of whole or partial coloring (wicks).
The coloring by scanning is done with a paste and not a liquid. To apply it, just use a specific brush. For the sweep to be more effective, it is necessary to cut the hair before, in order to remove damaged parts such as split ends or dry ends. However, you have to respect a certain length to have the perfect volume. Despite the fact that it is a gentler method, it is always necessary to space the colorings at a rate of 2 to 3 times maximum.
This will better protect your hair and reduce the risk of damage that could occur to your base. Like permanent hair dye , other types of hair dye are not resistant to the effect of the sun. In short, balayage is an interesting option to hide gray hair. In addition, it is suitable for all types of hair (curly, straight, long, etc.) and any color (blonde, brunette, red, etc.).
The different classic coloring techniques
– Permanent coloring
If your hair is completely white, it is recommended to choose an all-over white hair dye, preferably with just one shade. For a more harmonious result, take a tone lower than that of your natural hair color. On the other hand, if you have brown hair, shades one to two that are lighter than those of your natural hair are more suitable. The conventional method for integral coloring is oxidation coloring or so-called “permanent” coloring. Obviously, thanks to this method, your gray hair will disappear completely.
Certainly, this is the most convenient and powerful technique, since it is the only option that allows you to radically change color. However, it turns out to be more concentrated in oxidizing, which facilitates the penetration of the pigments in depth. The products used are hydrogen peroxide and ammonia. If you do not stick to the doses, you risk damaging your scalp and hair later.
On the other hand, it is essential to redo the roots from time to time (approximately every 3 to 6 weeks depending on the rate of hair regrowth). If this is the first use, it is strongly recommended that you call a professional to avoid any accidents that could occur. The oxidation coloring provides a bright and uniform color at the same time. You are free to choose to have a natural effect or results with reflections.
– Semi-permanent coloring
If the percentage of white hair is between 20 to 50% of your hair, tone-on-tone coloring also called semi-permanent coloring is ideal. As it is low oxidation, the colors may gradually fade after a few washes. The color is also luminous, but the hair is softer to the touch unlike permanent coloring. Be aware that this type of coloring is not suitable if you want to lighten dark hair. It allows you to color them without the risk of affecting the pigmentation.
– Natural coloring
If you have sensitive skin, there are two options, including professional herbal hair color or professional ammonia-free hair color. Indeed, it has been proven that products without ammonia or natural are less aggressive for the scalp. The products used do not have any oxidants or other chemical agents while ensuring effective coverage of all gray hair. It should be noted that the coloration may disappear after a maximum of 7 weeks.
Conclusion
Everything will depend on the natural color of your hair. If you are blond or blonde, go for the highlights. Otherwise, full color would be the best solution, especially if your hair is all white.
