Hair Color Blog Archives

Congratulations, you’re pregnant! Whether it’s your first or subsequent pregnancy, there will be much to think about throughout your pregnancy. Of course, at the top of your mind, practically every day, will be thoughts about your baby’s health and development. You might wonder, can highlighting or lowlighting your hair harm your baby’s health?

What are Hair Highlights?

Highlighting is a hair coloring activity or technique that uses a lightener, a hair dye, or a color to add streaks to your hair. The streaks are typically two to three shades lighter than your original hair color, making your hair look multi-dimensional. Lowlighting is a similar technique, except the streaks are two to three shades darker than your natural hair color. It’s an excellent technique for women with thin hair, creating the appearance of thicker hair.

Should I Get Highlights While Pregnant?

Although it is generally agreed that dying your hair won’t harm your baby, scientists do not know for sure if it’s safe to highlight your hair while you are pregnant. There haven’t been enough research studies to answer this question definitively. The limited number of studies done so far have primarily examined the potential effects of hair dyes, which contain chemicals and are typically applied to your whole head of hair and scalp. After coming in contact with your scalp, “…exposure to these chemicals from hair dyes or hair products results in very limited systemic absorption unless there are burns or abscesses on the scalp. Therefore, these chemicals are unlikely to reach the placenta.” This conclusion is from a 2008 study in the Official Publication of the College of Family Physicians of Canada.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) agrees with the findings. For over 60 years, ACOG has published information based on medical research and Ob-Gyn experiences. ACOG’s official statement on hair dye hair during pregnancy is, “Most experts think that using hair dye during pregnancy is not toxic for your fetus. There are different types of hair coloring, including permanent, semi-permanent or temporary color. These all contain chemicals. Studies on animals show that high doses of these chemicals do not cause serious birth defects. Also, only a tiny amount of chemicals from hair dye is absorbed through the scalp.”

Most experts advise pregnant women to wait until at least after the first trimester for whole-head hair-dying techniques. Here is a sampling from credible medical sources for how long to wait to dye your hair:

• “Consider waiting until the second trimester.” (The American Pregnancy Association)
• “Some doctors advise women to avoid having their hair dyed during pregnancy (or at least until after the first trimester).” (The American Cancer Society)
• “Many doctors recommend holding off on hair color until week 13 of your pregnancy, just to be safe…” (The Cleveland Clinic)

Do medical experts also advise pregnant women to wait to have their hair highlighted? Hair highlighting methods do not come into contact with the scalp, so the risk of chemicals entering the scalp is much less than that from whole-head coloring. A pregnancy’s first trimester lasts until the end of the 13th week. This time is critical for your baby’s growth and development. Thirteen weeks is a fairly short time to wait to have your hair highlighted. If you are still concerned about getting your hair done with highlights during your pregnancy you should talk to your doctor.

Learn more about a highlighting technique we use here at the Therapy Hair Studio called Balayage. Balayage (pronounced “baa-lay-ahge)” is a French hair-coloring method that works by hand-painting the surface of your hair, starting midshaft and continuing toward the ends of your hair. This method has several advantages over the more traditional highlighting technique using foil. Balayage requires less maintenance, is less damaging to your hair, and avoids chemicals coming into contact with your scalp, reducing the risk of scalp absorption.

Contact Our Expert Hair Salon in Houston

When you’re ready to highlight your hair, please call our expert colorists at Therapy Hair Studio at (713) 355-HAIR or contact us online to schedule a consultation or appointment.

St. Patrick’s Day gives everyone the chance to capitalize on the luck of the Irish. Whether or not you believe in leprechauns, green has recently become a go-to hue in hair coloring. Celebrities such as Kylie Jenner, Lizzo, and Billie Eilish have all embraced the color, and you might be wondering about joining in on the fun.

If you are thinking about dying your hair green for St. Patrick’s Day, you should know that getting the color right may require some research. But with patience, care, and the right hair dye, you can be ready to make a powerful statement. For best results, work with one of our colorists to achieve the optimal shade and keep your hair healthy.

Can I Dye My Hair Green without Bleaching It?

If you are looking for a subtle shade of green, you can achieve this without bleaching, even if your hair is dark brown or black. However, pre-lightening dark hair will be necessary if you want a more dramatic result.

Those with blonde or lighter hair might already have a suitable base for green. However, you might still need to lighten if you want to achieve a pastel or neon green result.

The Best Green Hair Dyes

Once you have decided which shade of green you would like, your next challenge is to choose which hair dye you should use. The following options are among the best on the market.

L’Oréal Paris Colorista Teal Semi-Permanent Dye

This range offers excellent semi-permanent dyes for those experimenting with green locks for the first time. The instructions and application are straightforward. While this formulation is for brunette hair, you will need to bleach first to achieve the color displayed on the package. Colorista offers a bleach kit you can use for this purpose.

Manic Panic Electric Lizard

The Manic Panic brand offers the best range of alternative hair colors on the market. As you can probably tell from the name, their Electric Lizard hair dye will give your hair a bright, neon-green look. As an added bonus, it will even make your hair glow under a blacklight. Results are vivid and long-lasting. You should lighten your hair to the lightest level before use for the best results.

Punky Alpine Green Semi-Permanent Conditioning Hair Color

Punky Alpine offers an affordable option that can give your hair a vibrant green pigment without pre-bleaching. Users highly rate this vegan brand for its wonderful smell. However, the color may transfer to your pillow for the first couple of nights, so use caution.
Adore Semi-Permanent Hair Dye, Green Apple

Adore offers another product on the budget end of the scale, resulting in a pastel-like green color that is excellent for warmer skin tones. The application is trickier than the other options but offers excellent coverage. This dye works best for bleached, lightened, or blonde hair.

Crazy Color Toxic UV, Semi-Permanent

This dye is also formulated for bleached hair and will not work well for darker base colors. However, the color is probably the brightest on this list. Because it is a UV color, it also glows under black light.

La Riche Directions Hair Dye Color Semi Permanent – Alpine Green

Because it is easy to remove, this hair dye is a solid option for anyone who wants to experiment with green. While it works decently well on dark hair, achieving the alpine green pop of color will require pre-lightening. It comes in gel form, which contributes to its ease of use.

Will I Look Good with Green Hair?

Green hair grabs a lot of attention, so you will want to make sure that you are getting the right kind of attention! Many shades of green suit different hair types, skin complexions, and eye colors. Speaking to a qualified hair colorist can give you a good idea of what shade of green will work best for you.

Contact Therapy Hair Studio

While getting a positive result at home might be possible, working with a qualified and experienced colorist is the best way to achieve the stunning look you deserve. You can trust the stylists at Therapy Hair Studio to create your desired effect while taking steps to keep your hair healthy. Our team has been serving satisfied Houston clients since 2008, and we always strive to exceed your expectations.

If you are excited to go green, call us today at call us at (713) 355-4247 or contact us online for an appointment with a certified stylist.

As parents, watching your daughter grow from a little bundle of joy into a  fully-realized teenager is bittersweet. As they grow, they become more aware of their individuality and preferences. They may start exploring ways to express this new-found self, and in many cases this includes a desire to get their hair colored.

Whether they’re inspired by a trend, a celebrity, or want to experiment with their own appearance, hair color can be a way for your daughter to feel unique and stylish. But, as parents, you may wonder, “what is the best age for my daughter to get her hair colored?”

While you may be concerned with the risks of allowing your daughter to chemically dye her hair, there are several options to sift through and consider.

The Risk of Chemical Damage

Damage to your daughter’s hair may be one of your biggest concerns in allowing your daughter to dye her hair too early. Depending on the product used and the application method, damage to hair and scalp is a concern of many parents like you. In some cases, the chemicals in hair dye can also lead to scalp problems like dermatitis and eczema. If your daughter has a sensitive scalp, it’s best to speak to a trained stylist to get a professional opinion. Here at Therapy Hair Studio, our team has the knowledge to help guide you and your daughter on the best, most healthy practices when considering hair color.

Another common concern is the inhalation of the toxic fumes that hair dyes can release. It’s best to consult with a professional to determine the types of products required to deliver the desired effect. 

Temporary Hair Dye Alternatives

In today’s market, we have an extensive collection of safe and risk-free alternatives to help young girls explore their personal styles.

One popular alternative is using a temporary hair dye. These products are much gentler on the hair and scalp and will gradually fade and wash out completely.

This is an excellent option for girls who want to experiment with different colors without the commitment of permanent hair color and the risk of chemical damage. Some professional salons may also offer this service, ensuring that your daughter receives the desired look, and as a parent, you can rest assured that no harmful effects will come as a result.

Opt for Non-Bleach Solutions for a Safer Experience

If you’re open to allowing your daughter to try a new hair color but still want to minimize damage, you can opt for non-bleach solutions.

These products are much safer for your daughter’s hair and scalp because they don’t contain as many harsh chemicals as bleached-based hair dyes. It’s important you find the right hair stylist that can help bring a colorful change to your daughter’s life through a safe, damage-free option! 

Let Them Be Creative

Their teenage years are their time to explore their individuality, develop their uniqueness, and explore their creativity. As a parent, it’s our job to provide them with the guidance and support they need to grow into their own self.

If you’re considering hair color for your daughter, have an open discussion with her first. Talk about the risks involved and what she can do to minimize potential damage. Once you’ve both come to an agreement, take the next step and speak to an expert. 

Get Expert Help

Worrying is second nature to parents. We only want what’s best for our daughters, which sometimes means getting expert help.

Connecting with a professional hair stylist, can help you and your daughter learn about the options and processes of making her vision a reality. At Therapy Hair Studio, our team of expert stylists would love to help. We specialize in cuts, colors, extensions, makeup services, facial treatments, and more, and are dedicated to bringing smiles to everyone who visits us (including nervous moms!) Schedule your daughter a consultation today to learn more about the best options for her.