FAQs HAIR COLOR PROCESS

What is the hair cuticle?
The hair cuticle is the outermost part of the hair shaft. It is formed from dead cells, overlapping in layers, which form scales that strengthen and protect the hair shaft. While the cuticle is the outermost layer, it is not responsible for the colour of the hair. Melanin is the pigment that gives hair its colour and is found in the cortex.

Why does grey hair appear?
Hair follicles contain pigment cells that produce melanin, which gives the hair its colour. When the follicle stops generating melanin –mostly due to age-, hair goes grey, silver, or white.

How many types of colouration processes are there available in the market?
Temporal colouration: The colour is deposited on the hair surface and is easily removed in 1 shampoo. You can try the fantasy colour without any worry.
Semi-permanent colouration: the colour is deposited on the hair surface but the dyes used have more affinity for hair so they will last a bit longer. Depending on hair condition it can last up to 10 washes.
Demi permanent colouration, also known as tone-on-tone o colour bath. This no ammonia colouration contains a lower amount of hydrogen peroxide that opens the cuticle to allow some pigments to pass through into the internal fiber. They do not lift your natural hair colour and gradually washed out for no root effect on regrowth. It can last up to 28 washes. You can use it to blend your first greys.
They are composed by a dye and a developer that need to be mixed just before use.
Permanent colouration. This type of colouration allows more options for colour changes on your natural colour as it can lift your natural colour up to 3-4 levels and can deposit more colour within the hair fiber. They can be with or without ammonia. This colouration is the only one providing full grey coverage.
As the name suggests, the result is permanent, although you will have to touch up the roots every month or so. Note that it will be difficult to lighten a coloured dark hair, a bleach would be necessary.
They are composed by a dye and a developer that need to be mixed just before use.
Bleaches and highlight: In this case the objective is not to introduce new dyes into the hair fiber but to eliminate the natural melanin to achieve shades much lighter than yours. It is a permanent process.
They are composed by a dye and a developer that need to be mixed just before use.

What is the most common type used in Europe?
Permanent hair colour is the most common type of colouration process in Europe.*

Do all colouration processes cover grey hair?
Only permanent colouration can provide up to 100% grey coverage. Demi permanent colouration can be used to blends first greys and some of them allow up to 60% of coverage.

Can all hair types use hair colour?
Yes. However, we do not recommend using on extremely damaged hair.

What frequency of usage is recommended?
Depends on the type of colouration. For a permanent colouration, it depends a lot on the hair growth, percentage of greys, and each own preference.

Permanent colouration requires an alkaline agent to open the cuticle and thus allow the formation of colouring molecules inside the hair fiber, for a long-lasting result.
Ammonia is the most widely used alkaline agent in the hair colour industry to obtain the best results in terms of grey coverage.

What does the bleaching process do to my hair? When is it recommended?
Hair bleaching is a chemical dye technique that strips the colour from your hair. The process begins with an alkaline agent that opens up the hair cuticle, followed by an oxidative agent that eliminate the hair’s natural melanin. The longer the oxidative agent is left in the hair, the lighter the hair becomes.
It is recommended for highlights and bolder changes.

How can I choose the right shade for me?
Use the colour guide present in the colouration kit to choose a colour that is suitable for you, based on your current colour. If you hesitate between 2 shades, choose the lighter one to avoid colour saturation.

What do the shade numbers in the boxes stand for?
The shades are numbered following a specific codification:
- The first number is the indicator of colour level. It usually goes from 1 to 10 going from darker to lighter shade.
- The other numbers (after the dot) are indicator of reflections. The first one after the dot is for primary reflection and the second for secondary reflections. Brands can use different reflection codification. In Revlon ColorStay™ we use:

- 1 – Ash
- 2 – Iridescent
- 3 – Golden
- 4 – Copper
- 5 – Mahogany
- 6 – Red
- 7 – Green / Mat
- 8 – Mocha

Can I mix different shades?
It is not recommended to mix shades. The shades have been developed by experts to give an optimal colour result.

Do I have to apply hair colour on dry unwashed hair?
Our scalp secretes sebum, which acts as a protector and softens the effects that may involve dyeing: itching, irritation, etc. In addition, the water would dilute the dye and prevent the good penetration of the active ingredients into the hair fiber, negatively affecting the colour result.
Do not shampoo immediately before colouring. If hair is very soiled or has heavy build-up of styling aides, shampoo 24 hours before application.

Can I leave my hair colour on for more minutes than recommended in the leaflet? Will my colour last longer?
Leaving the dye on for longer does not guarantee that the colour will be deeper or last longer and it is not recommended.

Do I have to apply the mix to all my hair length, or can it be applied only in my roots?
Mixture can be applied both to full head (if you are changing your all over colour or colouring for the first time) or just on the roots if you are retouching them. Nevertheless, for root touch-up we recommend extending product to hair length for 5-10min at the end of the process, to refresh the colour and ensure colour uniformity.

Can I reuse my hair colour once mix is done?
It is not possible to save hair dye once it’s mixed. Peroxide starts the chemical reaction as soon as it’s mixed with hair dye and loses its effectivity after a time. For this reason, discard unused mixture after colouring.

Do I need extra care for my hair when using hair colour?
For ongoing care of your hair and its colour, it is recommended to use shampoos and conditioners specifically formulated to protect your hair and prolong your colour’s radiance. Regular deep conditioning masques and treatments will help maintain and retain your hairs moisture and vitality so that when you do colour, your hair absorbs the colour evenly and the result is perfect from root to tip.

How long should I wait to dye my hair after previously treated it with relaxer, permanent, bleach or another oxidative colouration?
In those cases, wait 14 days before colouring.