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If you have thought about changing your look, you may have considered coloring your hair. Maybe you're finding those nasty, gray hairs too often. You might just want to give your hair a color boost. You'll find a wide range of products that may be labeled either hair coloring or hair dyes. According to the Food and Drug Administration, the two terms mean the same thing. However, not all hair colors are the alike. That's where the difference lies between the hair-dye products.
Permanency
The primary difference between hair colors is permanency. It's a matter of how much of a commitment you want to make to changing your hair color. They can be temporary colors that you can get rid of the next time you wash your hair. Semipermanent hair-dye products last for about eight shampoos, sometimes longer depending on the product. Permanent hair-coloring products are the ones to use when you are totally sure about your color choice. They are the best option if you want to cover gray hair.
Chemicals
Anything you do to your hair can cause damage. Hair coloring is no exception. Hair colors differ in how they affect your hair because of the ingredients they contain. Permanent hair colors include a hair dye and a solution of hydrogen peroxide. The combination of those two ingredients penetrates the cuticle layer of hair. For long-lasting color, that is a good thing. However, it can also cause damage and make your hair dull. You can avoid those problems with semipermanent hair coloring, but you will have to dye your hair more often.
Coverage
Hair-dye products vary in their coverage. Permanent hair colors can cover gray hairs. They differ in how well they do it, with some manufacturers offering a better product than others. Semipermanent hair colors won't cover the gray hairs because they don't penetrate as deeply into your hair as permanent products do. Your hair texture will also affect how well a hair color works. If you have coarse hair, you may get less coverage than someone with fine hair.
Ingredients and What They Do
The ingredients in hair-dye products are regulated by the FDA. The agency also monitors the concentration of the different ingredients. Approved ingredients you may see include lead acetate, bismuth citrate and some coal-tar dyes. Some products may contain natural compounds or organic solvents. Depending upon what is in a particular hair dye, you may see a caution label regarding skin irritation because of certain coal-tar colors in the hair color. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to pass on a product with this type of labeling.
