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I'm posing this one as an open question. Is it a "bad" thing to color your hair if you want it to grow really long? I had a freak out about six mo's back and went from brown to blond (it was that, or cut it all off) - HATED it - so I dyed it back to brown about two weeks later. I've let it be since then, until tonight, when I redyed with the brown. I'd say...at least for the short term...my hair seems to be in "better" condition than before coloring - not to mention - you get a really nice "sheen". Anyone here with the Mid back or longer length have any issues with coloring? One thing to note...if you have hair past your shoulders...buy two bottles...or you run out! (not a cool thing when you are in the process!) Anywho, just let me know what you guys think.
Thanks! I think I'm going to be an addict to this site!
I've always heard it damages your hair. I've always been
under the impression that if you want your hair long then
don't color it.
To color or not to color:
This is not a simple question. Any chemical processing probably weakens hair in the long run, but since I keep my hair about 8" I can tolerate the weakness. Others have strong hair and coloring may not damage it.
However, my hair is fine to start with, and coloring definitely helps to add body.
My hair was blond when I was a child and has gradually become mousy brown. I ask my stylist to part the first half inch from my forehead where I have some gray and to not add color since I do not wish to look "dyed." But then he uses an ash blond for the rest, which definitely gives me body and a great color, yet with enough gray to give the illusion that it is natural.
James
The real problem is not that you color it, since we agree that coloring gives some body, but you will never, never be able to dye it back to the original, so you either have to keep coloring it or go through a growing out phase.
If your self presentation suggests long, natural flowing locks, don't color it. If as in my situation, I have decided that really long hair is not for me, but that my best presentation is in the 6" to 8" tapered bob, I think that I can get a better results from coloring it.
If I change my mind, then my growing out period is about a year instead of years. How long is really the question. For me, color and body achieves my desires of making a statement with my hair without it being sholder length.
That of course is what I would prefer. If my hair were full, thick, and straight and strong, I would like it waist length. Can't do, so I make the best of what I have and most people are envious.
James
James,
I know what you mean about the grow out or re-color - it's almost impossible to find an exact match to ones own color and I'd be looking at about 4 years of "grow out." My hair is just past my shoulderblades. The problem was that I had lost all patience and dyed it blond - hated that so went back to brown...I guess I'm caught in the re-dye cycle.