As the experts advise, when it comes to coloring your hair, less is always more.

Whether you choose blonde, red, black or brown (or punk pink, or neon green!) excessive switching of hair colors may result in hard to correct or even permanent damage to your hair.

And while research is still ongoing on the long-term effects of hair dyes, its pays to be cautious. First and foremost, always read instructions carefully if you're using hair dye at home, and follow carefully the indicated amounts to use and how long to leave it on before rinsing.

Are you allergic to hair dyes? Simply test with a tiny dab behind your ear before applying the entire solution. The substance that most often leads to hair-dye allergies is paraphenylenediamine or PPD. It's found in most brands of permanent hair dyes, and the only alternative then would be metal pigment or henna vegetable dyes.


Highlights or streaking are always options before jumping in at the deep end. First, ask a local hairdresser or stylist for advice, or have your dye job done professionally. Ask about permanent, semi-permanent and temporary hair dyes, tips on making hair color last longer, and special shampoos & conditioners made just for colored or dyed hair.

If all else fails, there are still actions you can take to recover from either a professional or at-home haircolor disaster.

Elsewhere on the Web, find out more about the pros and cons, tips & tricks, and advice on everything from hair color trends for men and natural dyeing techniques to punk hair dyes and expert how to's on hiding the gray ....

All about hair color - Good intro to the topic featuring a hair color wheel, levels of hair color, typical ingredients, descriptions of types of hair color including temporary, semi-permanent and permanent, plus more on color & highlight care tips & techniques.

Hair Coloring - A full directory of informative articles on the topic from HairFinder.com including home coloring, gray hair Q&A, highlighting, foil highlighting, hair color for men, hair coloring problems, suggested books.

Hair Coloring - A online library of feature articles from HairBoutique.com with celebrity profiles & interviews, how to's on coloring curly hair, tips on making hair color last longer, hair coloring trends, and related advice.

Hair Color Articles - The Must Knows for Hair Coloring Success - A personal, virtual hairdresser with tips & advice on the basics of hair color chemistry, hair color removal, highlighting & foiling, punk hair color, bleaching, with related picture gallery.

EHow.com - Hair - Scroll down to hair coloring topics for tips & advice for pregnant women & hair coloring, how to's on highlighting, dyeing roots, hiding the gray, switching from blond to brunette, brunette to blond, with advice on how to make hair blonder naturally.

Black Hair Color Tips by Jazma - Brief but informative overview with do-it-yourself tips, advice on when to see a professional, and how to protect dyed or treated hair.

AskMen.com - Hair Coloring - Lots of advice for the guys on hiding the gray, how to dye hard-to-cover gray patches, facts on progressive hair dyes, with related links.

HairCrazy.info - "A guide to dyeing hair unnatural colours" including a beginner's guide to dyeing & bleaching, with more on getting that vibrant pink neon or green Day-Glo look, with complete instructions, product reviews, pictures.

also see -> Hair Health | Black Hairstyles | Celebrity Hairstyles

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