Why Do Hairdressers Hate Box Dye?

Having your hair done professionally at the hairdressers is an experience that many of us enjoy. We feel confident and glamorous when we look in the mirror after a session with our stylist.

However, it may surprise you to learn that many hairdressers have strong feelings against using box dyes to dye your own hair at home, instead of a professional color job.

I’m going to share why do hairdressers hate box dye? And how they believe it can seriously damage your hair, and cause irreversible damage to your natural colour.

What Is Boxed Hair Dye?

Boxed hair dye is a type of hair dye that is packaged in a rectangular box and purchased from beauty shops, supermarkets, the drugstore, or at pharmacies, in the hair care section.

This type of hair dye is typically less expensive than other types of hair dyes, and is designed to allow you to color your own hair in the comfort of your own home. However, box color dyes are known to be more unpredictable than having your hair dyed at the hair salon.

This unpredictability can be a big problem for professional hair dressers, who rely on precise color matching to create the perfect look for their clients. You’re just not going to get the same coverage and quality from hair dye in boxes, compared to the strength of color from a professional treatment and salon color appointment.

Boxed dye colour is made up of different ingredients that are not properly mixed together, and usually require you to mix the separate mixtures together, before applying the color to your hair with your hand, starting at the roots at the top through to the ends.

With the developer, the color can be inconsistent, as you can’t see the back of your hair properly, and the mixing might not be accurate, and it could affect the condition of your natural hair.

Most importantly, timing is key when using boxed color. If the ingredients are not mixed together at the correct time or if they’re mixed too much or not enough product, then outcome will be unsatisfactory and unwanted.

Professionals and hair stylists always recommend starting with a small amount of the formula, and mixing it well before adding more to avoid any problems later on down the line, with your hair health.

The Risks Of Using Box Hair Dye

Hairdressers are well aware of the risks of box hair dye, and it’s important that you take the same precautions when using this type of product. Box dyes contain a mix of harsh chemicals that can damage your hair over time.

In some cases, these dyes may require incorrect application in order to be effective. This can lead to bleached or patchy results, rather than a more uniform coloration.

Box dyes may also lack the flexibility of a professional hairdresser when it comes to color options. Going to a professional reduces the risk of allergic reactions or side effects due to improper use, as they would enforce patch tests, to ensure you don’t have any sensitivity issues, when using salon hair color.

Also, box dyes are less likely than professional hairdressers to give you personalized advice and recommendations for your specific hair type and coloring needs, with their professional color products.

Box Dyes Are Progressive Hair Dyes

Box dyes are progressive hair dyes, meaning they build up on the hair shaft over time. This means that with each use of a box dye, the color continues to deposit onto the hair strand, which can cause brittleness, damage and breakage.

As a result, hairdressers dislike these types of dyes as it causes difficulty when trying to achieve desired results. These permanent color products are often not strong enough to heavily lighten or lift previous hues from dark hair colors, like brown hair or black hair.

This will make it difficult for hairdressers to get back to the desired shade without having to bleach or further damage the client’s hair in order for them to reach their end goal.

Many customers who choose box dye don’t always trust professional hairdressers despite having prior knowledge about what desperate measures must be taken in order for them to reach their desired color, leaving customers disappointed when they don’t receive what they asked for due to previously using a box dye product on themselves.

Box Hair Dye Can Have Damaging Ingredients

Box hair dye is often seen as an easy and affordable way to color your hair. Unfortunately, these convenience dyes come with a hidden cost – harmful chemicals.

Many box dyes contain harsh ingredients such as ammonia, peroxide, and PPD that can cause severe reactions for those with sensitive skin or existing allergies.

Over time, these substances can also weaken your hair follicles and inhibit healthy hair growth. Before you choose to use box dye, do your research to find out what chemicals it contains and any potential cautions!

Why Do Hairdressers Hate Box Dye?

Box dye is a popular way to change your hair color quickly and easily, but it’s not as reliable as professional hair dyes.

There are a number of dangers that can come with using box dye on your hair, and it’s essential you know the risks, before attempting to dye your own hair with a box dye.

Not only is box dye less reliable and consistent, but it also has a number of potential problems that you don’t want to deal with.

Professional hairdressers will be able to do the job safely and correctly, ensuring that your hair color looks consistent throughout the entire process.

Below are some of the dangers that can come with using box dye on your hair:

• Your hair may not turn out the way you expect it to
• Box dye can damage your hair follicles
• It can leave your hair feeling dry and brittle
• Box dye can make your scalp more sensitive to sunlight.

Professional hairstylists often dislike boxed color because it lacks the vibrancy and depth that they are used to seeing in more expensive brands of hair dye.

Shade selection is another important factor to consider when selecting a boxed color. Not all shades are suitable for all skin tones, so it’s important to select one that will look best on your skin tone.

Just imagine how many horror hair dye jobs hairdressers have seen whilst working in their hairdressing salons. They know what does and doesn’t work, and are often given the task of fixing and doing color correction for those that have tried to dye their own hair.

Alternatives To Boxed Home Coloring Kits

When it comes to dyeing your hair, there are multiple choices available, depending on your natural hair color, and the look you’re going for.

Semi Permanent Hair Color: This type of hair color is designed to be worn for a short period of time – usually around two weeks – after which the color will gradually fade away. Professional semi-permanent colorists use tailored techniques to ensure accurate and consistent results while reducing the amount of damage caused to your hair.

Permanent Hair Color: This type of hair color is designed to last for up to four months before it needs to be refreshed. Professional permanent colorists use special methods and ingredients that help to preserve your hair’s natural oils and proteins, resulting in brighter and more vibrant colors that last longer than regular box dyes.

Highlights/Lowlights: If you want extra brightness or contrast in your hair, highlights or lowlights may be the perfect option for you. Highlights are added to existing brunette or black strands, while lowlights are added underneath dark strands in order to create an even tone across the entire head of hair. Both highlights and lowlights require regular maintenance, usually every two weeks, in order to keep them looking their best.

Balayage: Balayage is a technique that uses lightening (or darkening) layers across the entire head of hair, instead of just individual strands like highlights or lowlights. This allows for much greater range when it comes from the lightest blondes all the way up to almost black tones. Professional balayage coloring requires multiple appointments over several weeks in order not to cause any damage or unevenness in the colors achieved.

Ombre Dyeing: Ombre dyeing creates gradual changes from one shade darker than the original base color all the way up towards lighter shades at either end, without ever completely changing colors from base to the end shade like traditional box dyeing does. Because this process takes many sessions over several weeks rather than just one appointment like traditional box dyeing does, ombre dyeing tends to result in less damage overall compared with other types of professional hair coloring techniques.

What Can You Do If You Have A Bad Home Box Dye Incident?

If you have a bad home box dye incident, try not to panic. The first thing to do is assess the situation and determine if the error was caused by an incorrect shade or application.

If it was an incorrect application, such as not waiting long enough before rinsing out the dye, simple solutions like trying to wash it out with shampoo or using a clarifying shampoo can help reverse some of the damage.

However, if it’s an incorrect shade then you should contact your hairdresser for further advice on how to correct it. Depending on how dark or light your hair has become in comparison to your desired shade, there are various options available such as toners and highlights that can help correct any errors made during your home box dye job.

Final Thoughts

It is clear to see why hairdressers may not be fond of boxed hair dye. The unpredictability, inconsistency, and potential risks associated with box dyes make it a less than ideal choice for those looking for professional results. Just because they’re cheap, and easily accessible at your local stores or super market, they may be poor quality, and you’d be better seeing a professional colorist.

There are some alternatives available that provide more reliable and longer-lasting results without the same degree of risk. Consider consulting a professional hairstylist to find out what options best suit your personal needs before deciding on which type of hair color is right for you.

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