Should You Color Your Hair?

Are you considering coloring your hair? Changing your hair color can be a big commitment in terms of expense and upkeep but it can also boost your self confidence by giving you a new and exciting look. If you want to color your hair, what are the pros and cons to consider?

The Advantages of Coloring Your Hair:

It gives you an exciting new look

Adding a new color to your hair can be a great way to add some spice to your appearance. Maybe your hair color has gradually grown darker and duller over the years and you want to add some brightness and vitality. A new hair color can do that for you quickly and easily.

It adds body to your hair

If you have fine or thin hair that lacks body, coloring you hair can add bounce to your lackluster lochs. Why is this? Hair coloring causes the hair shaft to swell which results in your hair having a thicker and healthier appearance. This can make your hair easier to style.

It covers gray

If your hair is starting to gray in certain areas, the right hair color will cover it nicely. If you color your hair regularly, you'll never see those new gray hairs as they develop with aging.

It can boost your confidence

Sporting a new hair color can give you confidence. If you've always been a brunette and you color your hair blonde, people will take notice. Likewise, if you've been a natural blonde your entire life and you color your hair a darker shade you may notice that people treat you differently, at least for awhile. If you really want people to stand up and take notice, consider coloring your hair red if you have the complexion for it. Red hair always seems to attract attention.

The Disadvantages of Coloring Your Hair:

It can be expensive

Whether you choose to go to a salon or do it yourself, you're going to pay in terms of money or time. The cost of hair coloring at a salon is not inexpensive and it will need to be repeated at regular intervals which can really add up in price. If you do it at home, it can take up to several hours to cover your roots and refresh your color.

It can be damaging to your hair

If you stay within several shades of your natural color, you probably will sustain little if any damage. If you plan on lightening your hair five or six shades, you may need to use a bleach based coloring agent which can cause damage to the hair shaft and, ultimately, result in breakage. This is why it's probably best not to make an extreme color change.

You may need to change your makeup

If you're sporting a new hair color, your old makeup shades may not work with your new hair color. This could necessitate purchasing different makeup shades.

It may change the clothing colors you can wear

The clothing shades that worked so well with your old hair color may clash with your new hair color. Buying a new wardrobe can be costly in terms of time and money.

You're exposed to unhealthy chemicals

If you read the back of a box of hair dye, you'll find a long list of chemicals with dubious safety records. Although the recent studies haven't shown an increased cancer risk associated with dying your hair, the verdict is still out.

As you can see, there are a variety of issues to consider before making the decision to color your hair. Although coloring your hair can be a gratifying experience, it may not be for everyone.