Hair coloring is practiced by every modern woman. And it’s not at all necessary to paint over gray hair. Changing the color of the hair makes it possible to experiment with the image, choose the most advantageous color that will beautifully shade the tone of the skin and eyes.
Most often, women do not have a question about how to choose and mix oxide for coloring, because in most hair colors this component is present in the package. However, when buying a professional paint, oxide often has to be purchased separately. And here the question arises of how to do it correctly so as not to harm the hair.
What is it for?
The thing is that the dye on the hair itself "does not work." Only by mixing it with oxide in the required proportions can staining of curls be achieved. The main composition of the product is hydrogen peroxide. Its concentration is indicated on the label and ranges from 1.8 to 12%. In this case, the choice depends on the type of hair and the desired effect.
The principle of operation of the oxidizing agent is as follows:
- having an effect on the stratum corneum of the hair, it opens its scales, providing a deeper penetration of the coloring pigment;
- Reacts with the natural pigment of the hair, partially destroying it;
- then the paint comes into action, which penetrates the hair, filling its voids, which provides a stable coloration.
Oxide for hair coloring: types and characteristics
To begin with, the product, of course, spoils the hair, making it dry and brittle. And the higher the concentration, the more severely the hair is exposed. But this does not mean at all that it is necessary to choose an oxide with a 1.8 percent hydrogen peroxide content. After all, with the wrong choice of the desired effect, the woman will not receive. Consider the main types of oxides for hair coloring.
1.8-3 percent oxidizing agents are considered the most sparing. Suitable for thin and dry hair. However, the dyeing effect does not last long, and the shade on the hair is less noticeable. Allows you to dye your hair in your own color or a tone darker. Naturally, they are not suitable for a radical change in image. But their undoubted advantage is comparative safety for hair. They practically do not damage her. However, they are not able to paint over gray hair, therefore, only young girls who want to experiment with hair color are suitable for coloring.
6% oxide is more aggressive. It is actively used at home, as it provides a lasting staining effect. It makes it possible to lighten or darken hair at 2 levels. High-quality paints over gray hair, giving hair red or copper shades. Due to the persistent effect and relatively little harm to the hair, thousands of girls prefer just such an oxidizing agent.
9 percent can also often be found in a duet with paint. It changes color by 3 tones, effectively affects gray hair, allowing you to completely paint over it. However, it is more applicable to hard and thick hair. At home, it is not recommended to use it for owners of thin and brittle hair.
12 percent oxide is used to dye hard hair with a cardinal color change. Allows you to change the hair color to 6 tones. Applicable in cases where a woman wants to repaint from a brunette to a blonde. However, it is very aggressive on the hair. If you use it constantly for staining in blond, you can noticeably dry and spoil the hair. Many masters believe that such hair destruction is not worth the joy of being a blonde. Of course, it is not recommended to use it at home.
In addition, specialists practice mixing two oxides for staining.
There is also a free-selling oxidizer with a concentration of 4.5% from the Cutrin brand. It is intended for ammonia-free paints, which help to change color for a short time without harming the hair. This oxidizing agent contains caring components, including wheat proteins, which give the hair shine and softness.
As you can see, the characteristics of oxides for hair coloring allow you to fully appreciate the need for their use.
What mistakes are often made when staining?
We list them:
- Wrong choice of oxidizer concentration. The most successful option, if you want to noticeably change the color of hair, is 6% oxide.
- You can not overexpose the composition on the hair longer than the specified time - this will not improve the result of dyeing, but only harm the hair.
- Particular care must be taken when lightening hair. The instructions should be clearly followed, since lightening extremely negatively affects the state of the hair.
- The stronger the oxidizing agent, the less time it takes for the dye to come into contact with the hair.
That is why it is important to visit a specialist if you do not have experience in dyeing hair.
Can oxide and paint be used by different companies?
It is preferable to use products from the same manufacturer. In standard store packaging, oxide is already present. But not always.
It is better to purchase oxide and paint from the same manufacturer, as this will help to quickly calculate the proportions. Using an oxidizing agent from another manufacturer disrupts the chemical process, changes color, and injures hair. Since the composition and ratio of dyes of different brands can vary greatly, this nuance can affect the water imbalance, which will lead to incorrect oxidation.
How to use oxide?
The oxide is mixed with paint and immediately applied to the hair after thoroughly mixing the solution. However, many women are interested in what proportion of hair dye and oxidizing agent to mix. First of all, it should be noted that the necessary amount of oxide is already present in the packaging of store paint. However, if it was purchased separately, experts usually recommend mixing the components in equal amounts. A similar ratio is necessary if your goal is persistent staining or painting gray hair. Pastel tinting and lightening are done by mixing 1 part of paint and 2 parts of oxide (in the first case, a special activator of 1.2% is used).
Oxide for dyeing gray hair
Hair color depends on melanin (this is a coloring pigment), but gray hair lacks melanin. In fact, they are a hollow tube filled with oxygen molecules. It is not easy to work with gray hair, since oxide, the main task of which is to interact with hair pigment, has nothing to dissolve.
The classic rules for working with gray hair involve the use of an oxidizing agent of 6 percent and 9 percent. However, even the first substance spoils the hair very much. What to do in this case?
Experts recommend a very interesting technique. For soft hair, even an oxidizing agent with a concentration of 1.8% -3% is suitable. So, the technique is as follows: you need to apply an oxidizing agent to dry hair (if the gray hair is focal, the substance should be applied only to certain areas). Soak it for 15-20 minutes, then blot hair with a towel and blow dry (do not rinse the substance). After this, staining should be carried out according to the usual scheme.
Oxidizing agents with caring components in the composition
You have probably heard about hair dyes with nutrients in the composition, but today you can also find oxides with similar substances on sale. Among them:
- Kapous Professional Actiox with ginseng and white rice extract. Protects the hair from the inside, preventing its destruction.
- Loreal Recital Preference with Glycerin. Provides shine to hair and promises easy combing.
- Schwarzkopf Professional Igora Royal Oil Developer. It contains an oil base that moisturizes, condition and nourish hair.
- Mirella Professional 3%. This is a universal oxidizing agent that protects the hair structure during dyeing.
Conclusion
And this is not a complete list of oxides for hair coloring. We hope that this article has been informative and useful for our readers.