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You always see the ladies with shower caps or plastic wraps covering their tresses. What gives? There is actually a really good reason these women are willing to look a tad silly with plastic on their heads. Wearing a plastic wrap or shower cap when coloring your hair may actually give you better results. Just know when to use it, and when to leave it for the shower.
Peroxide or Developer
There is a difference between peroxide and developer color, and regular hair dye color. BeverlyD of BeverlyD Organic Hair in Houston, Texas, says that only a shower cap should be used when you use a one-process color that uses peroxide or developer so that the ends can be left out of the color because only the roots really need the color. She says that plastic wrap would cause overlapping, which she says is a "big no-no in hair coloring."
Henna
When someone applies henna to the hair, it's usually a natural color that is temporary and safe for the hair and scalp. BeverlyD says that when using henna on your fabulous tresses, you could use a plastic wrap and a shower cap, if you choose. She says that because henna is in some ways like a mud pack for the hair, it can be held close to the head without causing any damage to the scalp. So wrap it up first, then put the shower cap over the plastic wrap. BeverlyD also says that you can use a plastic bag, as it's more effective. However, you'd need to clip the bag tight so it would be airtight.
Coloring
Depending on your hair texture and condition, you may need a shower cap or plastic wrap when coloring your hair. Mike van den Abbeel, owner of Mosaic Hair Studio in Orlando, Florida, says that if you are dealing with those pesky resistant gray strands or roots, you will probably need to use a plastic cap. He also says that wrapping your fabulous hair in a plastic wrap or shower cap is a great way to make a conditioning treatment more effective.
Heat Infused
Alan Gold, creative director of Haig & Co. salon in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, says that hair shouldn't be wrapped in anything unless the color requires heat activation. "Wrapping the head in plastic can cause hot roots and the color closest to the scalp to process too fast," says Gold. Abbeel says that the heat near the scalp allows the hair cuticle to open up more and allow the color or conditioner to penetrate deeper.
