Intro, Chemically Dyed Hair, Etc...
So, I have chemically dyed red hair and I'm not prepared to give it up. I understand that the majority of people here are seriously opposed to unnatural hair care, but this is something I want to do for now. It's my last chance to be a 'kid' while I still can. I actually live a very green lifestyle, I just really want to keep my fire engine red locks.
Anyway, I've read through a great deal of stuff here and in naturalliving, but maybe I've missed something? I'm not sure what to do with my hair after I dye, or if it is possible to maintain a chemical process of any kind while doing no 'poo.
Here it is. L'Oreal HiColor for dark hair only. This is half red highlighter, half red hot, processed 1:1 with 30 vol developer for the full recommended time.
Hair is naturally about a level 2 (dark brown), thick, coarse and slightly wavy. Extremely product resistant. I can almost never get anything to take in my hair, but this stuff works wonders.
My old conventional routine...
Since this color is a big pain to maintain, I have weened myself from washing my hair about three times weekly to no more than two times, usually only once weekly. I would shampoo whenever I got my hair wet (otherwise I would keep it dry), then condition with a keratin treatment mixed 1:1 with vegetable dye. If the keratin treatment causes buildup, I use a no-residue shampoo no more than twice monthly. The long ends of my hair are processed with more than just this color, so they're fried. I am slowly trimming them off. Sometimes, instead of a gentle shampoo for color-treated hair, I use dilute liquid castile soap. And, on occasion, I do use a dimethicone-based product for smoothing or to enhance shine. Other than that, I use very little product. I brush nightly with a boar bristle brush and I keep my hair in a braid while I sleep (on a satin pillow) to reduce tangles. My hair is think, long and damaged, so it's prone to breakage and I do what I can to minimize it. I also have suffered for years from some weird dandruff. It doesn't usually flake off and it's rarely noticeable to the eye. However, it itches me! And if I scratch my scalp, I'll usually get a whole lot of nasty gunk under my nails. It's odorless, and appears to just be extra skin and skin-related gunk, but it is a large part of the reason I wanted to try no 'poo.
A minor note...
I also have alopecia areata, which means that my hair falls out. I've been able to rule out diet or overall health as an issue, and I've had it since long before I ever processed my hair, so that's not the culprit. I do, however, use Rogaine on the bald spot I have, which causes a greasy feeling and ITCHING! However, I've had no ill effects on the alopecia (nor positive) from conventional methods or from no 'poo.
Here's what I'm up to now...
Now, I've been no poo for a couple of BS washes / ACV rinses and I'm very impressed. I was worried about not conditioning, since I typically do that every time I wet my hair, but it's working remarkably well. I decided to give it a shot without cheating and I haven't used any unnatural products. I got a little puffy after my last brushing, so I used sweet almond oil to smooth things over with no greasy ill effects. I've noticed a decrease in frizzies, scalp itching and the weird dandruff I had is... wait for it... GONE. Holy crap, I am impressed. Otherwise, my hair looks every bit as good as it did and it isn't stripping any color.
I do, however, have a concern about hair processing, and it's getting to be that time soon. Since I am not going to stop coloring my hair, I need a way to get the developer totally out and to stop the processing. I find that castile soap can be pretty harsh, though I think it would do fine for washing out the dye. I also have an anti-residue shampoo by Neutrogena which is very effective, though not perfect either. I'm concerned about whether these would strip out my color right after I've applied it. And since it's a peroxide dye which is damaging, I'm also concerned I will need something to smooth out the cuticle of my hair. I'm thinking I might still use the keratin treatment I have, since it works so well for me.
So, has anybody done this? Can it be done? Any suggestions are welcome (as long as they aren't along the lines of "lose the red" - this is a lost cause, don't waste your breath, er... finger strength). Thanks!
Anyway, I've read through a great deal of stuff here and in naturalliving, but maybe I've missed something? I'm not sure what to do with my hair after I dye, or if it is possible to maintain a chemical process of any kind while doing no 'poo.
Here it is. L'Oreal HiColor for dark hair only. This is half red highlighter, half red hot, processed 1:1 with 30 vol developer for the full recommended time.
Hair is naturally about a level 2 (dark brown), thick, coarse and slightly wavy. Extremely product resistant. I can almost never get anything to take in my hair, but this stuff works wonders.
My old conventional routine...
Since this color is a big pain to maintain, I have weened myself from washing my hair about three times weekly to no more than two times, usually only once weekly. I would shampoo whenever I got my hair wet (otherwise I would keep it dry), then condition with a keratin treatment mixed 1:1 with vegetable dye. If the keratin treatment causes buildup, I use a no-residue shampoo no more than twice monthly. The long ends of my hair are processed with more than just this color, so they're fried. I am slowly trimming them off. Sometimes, instead of a gentle shampoo for color-treated hair, I use dilute liquid castile soap. And, on occasion, I do use a dimethicone-based product for smoothing or to enhance shine. Other than that, I use very little product. I brush nightly with a boar bristle brush and I keep my hair in a braid while I sleep (on a satin pillow) to reduce tangles. My hair is think, long and damaged, so it's prone to breakage and I do what I can to minimize it. I also have suffered for years from some weird dandruff. It doesn't usually flake off and it's rarely noticeable to the eye. However, it itches me! And if I scratch my scalp, I'll usually get a whole lot of nasty gunk under my nails. It's odorless, and appears to just be extra skin and skin-related gunk, but it is a large part of the reason I wanted to try no 'poo.
A minor note...
I also have alopecia areata, which means that my hair falls out. I've been able to rule out diet or overall health as an issue, and I've had it since long before I ever processed my hair, so that's not the culprit. I do, however, use Rogaine on the bald spot I have, which causes a greasy feeling and ITCHING! However, I've had no ill effects on the alopecia (nor positive) from conventional methods or from no 'poo.
Here's what I'm up to now...
Now, I've been no poo for a couple of BS washes / ACV rinses and I'm very impressed. I was worried about not conditioning, since I typically do that every time I wet my hair, but it's working remarkably well. I decided to give it a shot without cheating and I haven't used any unnatural products. I got a little puffy after my last brushing, so I used sweet almond oil to smooth things over with no greasy ill effects. I've noticed a decrease in frizzies, scalp itching and the weird dandruff I had is... wait for it... GONE. Holy crap, I am impressed. Otherwise, my hair looks every bit as good as it did and it isn't stripping any color.
I do, however, have a concern about hair processing, and it's getting to be that time soon. Since I am not going to stop coloring my hair, I need a way to get the developer totally out and to stop the processing. I find that castile soap can be pretty harsh, though I think it would do fine for washing out the dye. I also have an anti-residue shampoo by Neutrogena which is very effective, though not perfect either. I'm concerned about whether these would strip out my color right after I've applied it. And since it's a peroxide dye which is damaging, I'm also concerned I will need something to smooth out the cuticle of my hair. I'm thinking I might still use the keratin treatment I have, since it works so well for me.
So, has anybody done this? Can it be done? Any suggestions are welcome (as long as they aren't along the lines of "lose the red" - this is a lost cause, don't waste your breath, er... finger strength). Thanks!