Hair Colors

What types of hair color are there?

The variety of hair colors offers countless possibilities to change your own look and express your personality in a creative way. There are the following types of hair color:

• Temporary hair color = direct-acting tint: This type of coloring lasts for approx. 2-7 hair washes after the hair color has been applied and is used to slightly change the natural hair color. A direct-acting tint is the gentle alternative to conventional hair dyes. It is only applied to the outer layer of the hair and does not contain any ammonia or alcohol. By using so-called direct dyes (e.g. cationic dyes), the color is deposited on the surface of the hair. There is no chemical reaction with other components. The result is beautiful, shiny hair with color reflections. This type of hair color includes tint mousse, color fixer, clay rinse or color shampoos. You can cover up to 10% of gray hair with a direct-acting tint.
• Semi-permanent hair color = intensive tinting: This coloring works with the use of direct dyes (e.g. nitro dyes) and only works with a chemical reaction with other components. The hair color lasts for approx. 20 hair washes. The intensive tint gives the hair fresh color reflections and creates a fine nuance. The semi-permanent hair dye is a mixture of a tint and a hair dye. The Pigments wrap themselves around the outer layer and also penetrate the hair structure easily. As a result, one part washes out and the other grows out. With intensive tinting, you can cover up to 70% of gray hair.
• Permanent hair color = permanent hair color: This type of hair color cannot be washed out and is applied using Color precursors (developer and coupler) are used. Dyes are formed through chemical reactions and the hair is dyed through completely. Shading can be supported by the use of direct dyes. The basic components of a hair dye are Dye precursors (developers and couplers), direct-drawing dyes, alkalizing agents (e.g. ammonia), antioxidants, complexing agents, fragrances, care components, consistency agents, washing-active substances. They often contain Hydrogen peroxide, which dissolves the natural color pigments in the hair and replaces them with new ones. Hair is lightened by oxidizing agents. With a Developer/Oxidant of 6%, the hair can be lightened by 1-2 tones, with 9% even by up to 3 tones. You can cover 100% of gray hair with permanent hair color.
• Lighter coloring: This is the gap between classic hair coloring, which can lighten hair 1-3 shades lighter, and bleaching. Lighter coloring is suitable for lightening by up to 4 shades. To become significantly lighter, the lighter coloring must penetrate deeper into the hair than the classic hair color. The difference between lighter colouring and hair dye is that alkalizers are used as alkalizing agents in lighter colouring, which are not volatile. Brightener dyes are also usually mixed with 9% or 12% hydrogen peroxide. The mixing ratio is also different to that of classic hair dyes. Lighter dyes usually consist of one part dye and two parts hydrogen peroxide. To ensure that the alkalinity remains very high throughout the entire process, the lighter coloring is applied thickly and saturated.
• Bleaching: Bleaching can lighten the hair color by up to 7 tone levels. Lightening is achieved by using an oxidizing agent at a strength of 6% - 9%. With extreme lightening, the pigments in the hair are almost completely broken down. The ingredients of a bleach are the oxidizing agent (hydrogen peroxide), carrier and thickening agent, wetting agent, alkalizing agent and dye additives. Bleaching is very stressful for the hair structure. Due to the complex chemical processes involved, bleaching should only be carried out by a hairdresser you trust in order to avoid unpleasant yellow or green tones. If you have a slightly darker base hair color and want to go very light, we recommend a gradual adjustment of the hair color. After bleaching, good, rich care is essential. Choose a high-quality product that rebuilds the hair after the strenuous procedure and closes the roughened pores of the hair structure.
• Vegetable hair dyes: The mostly powdery "mash" of plant-based hair dyes is mixed with hot water and the application time is usually half an hour to two hours. They contain natural substances such as henna, camomile, wheat, turmeric, walnut shells or indigo. The hair dye does not break up the hair structure as with classic dyeing, but is only deposited on the natural color of the hair. However, plant-based hair dyes often contain chemicals. For example, fragrances or preservatives or aromatic amines, which are used as colorants in oxidative hair dyes. Another special feature of using plant-based hair dyes is that you can no longer use chemical dyes afterwards, as the effect after using natural dyes cannot be calculated. Before using a chemical hair dye again, you must wait until the plant-based hair dye has grown out. If you want to avoid chemical additives completely, we recommend that you pay close attention to the composition of the hair dye when selecting the product.

What do I need to bear in mind when changing my hair color?

When hair is dyed, the process only affects the hair, the hair root remains unaffected. Dyed hair therefore always grows back in its natural color and healthy. Nevertheless, the application of hair dye is a sensitive process, which is why experts recommend not deviating more than one or two levels from the natural hair color for a natural color result. The recommended application time should be adhered to as closely as possible to ensure the best possible hair color results and to prevent irritation. If you want to dye your hair yourself, you should always select the hair dye very carefully and follow the instructions carefully during the dyeing process. If you want to lighten your hair significantly, we recommend that you put yourself in the trustworthy hands of a hairdresser, as there are complex chemical processes behind hair lightening and the result is heavily dependent on the initial hair color.

Hair color can work wonders!

Have you ever wondered why freshly colored hair shines and shines, looks healthy and vital? Cationic surfactants and Keratin create a wonderful shine. Additional ingredients such as oil, Q10 and hair's own keratin strengthen the hair and seal the outer cuticle layer of the hair. Hair dyes can completely change and rejuvenate a style. For example, through soft contrasts such as blonde tones in ash nuances. Reddening of the skin is evened out and the face appears softer and more harmonious. It's no wonder that permanent hair color is still in vogue. With hair dye, color pigments are embedded directly into the hair and, unlike tinting, the hair color does not wash out but grows out with the hair. This means that only the roots need to be treated. Highlights look fresh and radiant and can visually rejuvenate the hair in all color nuances, make it appear fuller and enhance your natural beauty.

What comes after hair color?

It is important to care for your hair intensively and regularly after applying hair color. Only then will your hair look permanently healthy, shiny and vital. Renowned manufacturers such as Kérastase, Wella, Redken, Paul Michell and L'Oréal have developed product ranges that are especially suitable for Care for colored hair. The special Shampoos prepare the hair for subsequent care, a Conditioner seals the hair and ensures that the color stays fresh and long-lasting. If you have used hair dye, you should also treat your hair to a mask or Hair treatment once or twice a week, which builds up the hair structure from the inside out and provides intensive care.