There are 5 major types of color processes:

Hennas, Rinses, Semi-Permanent, Permanent, and Bleaching.

Hennas are vegetable based and safe for natural hair and locs. Hennas will not lighten or lift the natural hair color. They are primarily used to deposit color and may help to cover some gray hair.

Rinses are not natural and will only add a temporary color to the hair. Once the hair is wet, the color will either bleed or wash out completely. They have very little gray coverage and will sometimes leave color traces on clothing and pillowcases. Rinses have very little effect on natural hair and locs.

Semi-Permanent color is designed to last 6-12 shampoos with the color slowly fading over time. “Semi’s” will usually cover gray and will add color and highlights to ones natural hair color. Semi’s will not lighten hair and depending on the brand, may not even be seen in the natural hair and locs.

Permanent color is forever. It may fade slightly over time but will never completely leave the hair. Permanents have excellent gray cover depending on the shade of color desired. Permanent color can lighten and darken the hair using peroxide to develop the color. It is usually safe for natural hair and locs depending on the brand of color used.

Bleaching is a process used to lighten and or remove color from the hair, and is an unsafe color process because it strips the hair . Color can be added to bleached hair in what is known as a double process and is used to return the hair back to the desired color. Bleaching is not recommended on natural hair and locs because it changes the natural texture of the hair, but can be used when correcting a color or removing jet black color from the hair.

As with all procedures involving chemicals and allergens, it is recommended to consult a licensed and trained professional. Be leery of over the counter colors such as Dark & Lovely, and Ms. Clairol because they contain ammonias, metallic dyes and preservatives. Some color can make the hair slightly dry because of the cuticle layer of the hair being opened by the ingredients in the color. A good and regular deep conditioner every two weeks will help to put moisture back in to the hair.

Contact Au Naturale Inc. @ (215) 848-7848 or visit www.phillynatural.com for the best products and hair color to use for natural hair.

Michelle Tollen-Stallworth

Owner of Au Naturale Inc.

Michelle Tollen-Stallworth

Owner Au Naturale Inc.