The Revolution of Hair Dye

Today, more and more people are changing the color of their hair. Hairstyles change from season to season, and some old hair trends are making a comeback. One of those trends is bright or unusually colored hair. The best thing about dying your hair is that it is not permanent.

Years ago, there was a stigma that coloring your hair would cause damage and breakage. Today, hair color technology has improved and doesn’t do as much harm as it was thought to before. The FDA has rules for what dyes can include, to try to eliminate the amount of potentially cancer causing chemicals and harmful sediments. According to the American Cancer Society, Hairdressers are five percent more likely to get bladder cancer due to their constant exposure to Dye and Bleach.

Although there are some risks to coloring hair, it is still a common thing to do. One of the first hair dyes was put on the market in 1907. Aureole became a popular commodity, later becoming the company L’Oréal. Boxed dye slowly improved over the years, though current box dyes can deposit sediment in your hair which can cause damage to the root and make your hair brittle. The 1950s popularized the use of bleach, which also caused significant damage to the average health of hair.

Over the 2000s, different styles of hair coloring have increased in popularity. In the early 2000s, chunky highlights were all the rage. Celebrities including Rihanna and Avril Lavigne wore large stripes of color in their hair.

In the 2010s there have been many hairstyles inspired by celebrities that fans have tried to copy. Celebrities like Ariana Grande and Kylie Jenner have further popularized the trend of unnatural hair colors. Grande inspired many to follow in her footsteps with her signature cherry red hair. Kylie Jenner has had ombre hair, blonde, blue tips and even dyed her whole head green. There is a downside to all of that experimentation however.

On her website Jenner says that, "Because I dye my hair so much, it's become damaged. I’ve had to find ways to really try and take care of it and give it a rest. I’ve discovered this amazing wig guy, Tokyo, and together we create wigs. Wigs are just so much easier because I change my mind so much and this way I'm not damaging my hair.”

Looking for a more natural color? There are several ways to subtly dye your hair. Today ombre, sombre and balayage are popular for a more natural look. Ombre is when the hair is dark on top and last few inches are dyed a lighter color. Sombre, which means a ‘subtle ombre,’ is softer and requires less maintenance to keep up with. Balayage is the most natural looking of these, as it is when the hair gets lighter gradually and will easily blend in as hair grows longer.

Hair dye and coloring is constantly changing and evolving. Elle Magazine predicts different shades of blonde - Platinum, strawberry and dirty blonde- as being the hottest hair colors for summer 2017. Coloring your hair expresses creativity and can elevate self-confidence. Hair dye is not permanent, so don’t be afraid to try different colors and have fun.