Looking for Advice on Hair Coloring and etc after BKT

[MikaMikami]

Well maybe thats not a good title but I'm not sure how to properly phrase my question if it is a question. Here's some back story as to why Im in this situation.

As a New Years Gift to myself I went to an Asian Salon and got a Brazilian Keratin Treatment for my hair. The results were Out of this world! For the first time in my life not only was I able to dry my hair significantly in under 10 minutes but it didn't revert to it's super curly 4a texture after washing for a whole month! It was very straight with loads of body and it bounced and moved with just the slightest movement of my head!

On top of that my hair underwent a growth explosion. From December 31 to this day (February 24) My hair has grown at least 4+ inches as well as thicken out tremendously. Dispite the fact that I had a bit of a "hair breakdown" and cut off about 7+ inches of my hair due to immense frustration at just not being able to get my hair to agree with me..

I've been wearing wigs in order to protect my hair for the last 6+ months and now I'm just plain sick of them and have switch to using clip on hair extensions as of late but even that Im starting to get sick of quickly.

Im going back on March 1 to get the BKT Treatment again because I love it so much and I'm also on the road of transitioning from previously permed hair to an all natural (preferablely BKT'ed) state. How ever Im morbidly bored with my hair. It's still too short to do all the cute styles I like without extensions and on a more personal note I don't feel very interesting to myself in terms of hair when I look in the mirror.

So yeah, now that thats said I just wanted to know if people here have dyed their hair regardless of having a BKT while growing it out. Obviously Im trying to grow out my hair but at the same time in terms of color Im just not happy with it. However I'm hesitant because Hair color does damage you hair and I don't want all that hard work in growing and caring for my hair to go down the drain.

When I was a child (about 8-10 years old) I had the same problem in terms of just not liking my hair color so in my naivety I attempted to dye my hair blue with some strange product that landed me in the emergency room with a severe allergy reaction. After that episode I ended up with Green hair for a month which was the bane of my exsistance at the time.

When I was about 13-14 again I attempted to dye my hair a dark medium brown because I didn't want anything too drastic but I didn't see any results mainly because I think now that a.) Trying to go from Dark Brown to Meduim Brown doesn't work without bleach and b.) Perhaps the color was too similar to my own since it was a DARK Medium Brown and my hair is an inexplainable shade of Light Dark Brown that makes no sense.

So, I was thinking of using this brand to achieve this exact hair color.

It's a Japanese brand called Palty and this shade is called Milk Tea Brown/Milk Tea Tart. For years I've dreamed of having a color similar to this but alas not only do I have to literally stalk all the Asian stores to get it when it comes in since its very popular but In order to get the exact color on the box I have to bleach my hair first. Although people have gotten Amazing results without bleaching since this dye was made for people of Asian decent and people who have dark/black hair in general. (Which sort of leads me to believe that bleach is hidden in the product too)

My worry is that this will be too strong for my hair or I won't get the color I want without bleaching and etc. Also any breakage (even though I know there will be some) will kill me..

I really want to dye it even though I know it's bad. But before I do it I'd like to know how to care for it afterward. I'd like to know if there are good quality products out there that will care for my hair as well as be BKT (no sulfates) friendly. Money is not an issue with me so long as the product works well.

Also I wanted to know if there are any alternative dyes that are perhaps better to use that will give me that exact color without too much of a hassle..

Jeeze, I hope someone understands and is able to offer something for me..I've been stalking these forms for a while and everyone seems nice and all.....
For now Im going to go hide in a corner and wait for replies...

 

[loolalooh]

Bumpin' for ya.

 

[RubyWoo]

Honestly, I don't think there is a product in the world that can save your hair if you're putting it through a number of chemical processes(your previously relaxed hair + heat/BKT+ permanent color). Especially if you already have a not so positive history with permanent color and relaxer. Relaxer and permanent color is very risky and I personally don't recommend it. Adding heat/BKT is just going to kill your hair IMO. Especially if use bleach or the color you want to use has bleach in it.

There are relaxed heads on here who have been able to maintain relaxed and permanently colored hair. You just have to be extra diligent in keeping up with deep conditioning (at least once a week) and protein treatments. Also, many people use a cellophane after using permanent color to protect their hair and color. Cellophanes contain protein and pretty good for your hair. You should do a search for "color" and select "titles only" when searching as there are a number of threads on maintaining relaxed, color treated hair.

Please note: I haven't seen anyone on here that was relaxed that used BKT and permanent color. I did a lot of searching on here before I proceeded to color and that is one "combination" that I have yet to encounter. So I cannot comment on what I've read on here re:maintenance.

Now if you still want to BKT and color, then I suggest doing demi permanent or semi permanent color. Your hair is more porous so it will accept color more easily. A demi permanent lasts longer(approx 28 shampoos) than a semi permanent and contains only small amount of peroxide (10 volume developer). Depending on your natural hair color and the color you select, you will see a color change. I would recommend going to a professional only because you want a significant color change a colorist can assess and recommend a color that will work for you.

You could use a semi-permanent but they don't last as long as a demi. The semi is safer than the demi(IMO) since it has no chemicals. Semis can also be beneficial to your hair since many semi-permanents have protein in them.

As for product recommendations, I personally love Abba Color protect line(website http://www.abbahaircare.com/Home/Default.aspx. I use the shampoo and the deep conditioner. I have permanent color in the front of my hair and it has kept my hair in great condition. However, please keep in mind that I only use heat occasionally (so far once every 2 months or so) and my color is the only chemical in my hair. Their products are sulfate free. For protein, Joico Kpak reconstructor is an excellent product for chemically treated and damaged hair that I highly recommend.

Anyhow, I hope others can chime in with their experiences and recommendations. I can definitely empathize with wanting a change. I love color so much and I plan to color again in the spring. I hope you are able to arrive at a happy medium with respect to your hair goals. HHG !

 

[Ediese]

Sorry I can't help, but I did want to suggest going to a professional to get a color since money is no problem. That way it's more of a guarantee that you'll get the color that you want, and that things will work out better.

 

[MikaMikami]

Hmm, I was planing on going to a professional but in all honesty I'm a bit terrified of hairdressers mainly due to to the fact that it was because of one why I started my hair growth journey by myself. Although I contradict my self a bit since I did give a leap of faith to thous people who BKT'ed my hair. But none the less perhaps it is in my best interst to do so. But I love being DIY!

Aside from the BKT Treatment I don't really use any heat in my hair whatsoever. I always air dry my hair and don't use any heating implements. In fact I haven't used heat in my hair for about 5+months now. With all the wig wearing and then the BKT it wasn't nessary. Also I should add that I haven't Relaxed my hair for almost a year now. In fact thats why I get the BKT now, as a way to replace the relaxer. I've almost grown out the relaxed bit entirely. Hmm, Perhaps I should have said more of my hair's condition but I felt that the post was too long and I was nervous..

The ABBA Line is my dream come true at last. I'm going to litteraly Stock up on the Pure Moisture line for now and when (and if) I dye my hair The Color Protect line. Thank You Nixx!

The Palty Milk Tea Brown is said to be a Semi Permanent Color. However without bleaching the hair first you won't get the color on the box. But I could still use it anyway and get a similar color which isn't bad I think. It's I believe 40 developer. Is that too harsh? Im having a hell of a time finding something similar to the Palty thats gentler. The ones I find require your hair to be a certain color first which is aggravating because I feel like it's pushing me towards the bleach more!

All in all, I take rather excellent diligent care of my hair every week. I wash it, deep condition it, give it little hot oil treatment( as in I heat the oil and put it on my hair, without additional heat) or cold oil massage depending on how I feel. My hair feels and seems healthy, but yeah...

 

[RubyWoo]

Hmm, I was planing on going to a professional but in all honesty I'm a bit terrified of hairdressers mainly due to to the fact that it was because of one why I started my hair growth journey by myself. Although I contradict my self a bit since I did give a leap of faith to thous people who BKT'ed my hair. But none the less perhaps it is in my best interst to do so. But I love being DIY!

Aside from the BKT Treatment I don't really use any heat in my hair whatsoever. I always air dry my hair and don't use any heating implements. In fact I haven't used heat in my hair for about 5+months now. With all the wig wearing and then the BKT it wasn't nessary. Also I should add that I haven't Relaxed my hair for almost a year now. In fact thats why I get the BKT now, as a way to replace the relaxer. I've almost grown out the relaxed bit entirely. Hmm, Perhaps I should have said more of my hair's condition but I felt that the post was too long and I was nervous..

The ABBA Line is my dream come true at last. I'm going to litteraly Stock up on the Pure Moisture line for now and when (and if) I dye my hair The Color Protect line. Thank You Nixx!

The Palty Milk Tea Brown is said to be a Semi Permanent Color. However without bleaching the hair first you won't get the color on the box. But I could still use it anyway and get a similar color which isn't bad I think. It's I believe 40 developer. Is that too harsh? Im having a hell of a time finding something similar to the Palty thats gentler. The ones I find require your hair to be a certain color first which is aggravating because I feel like it's pushing me towards the bleach more!

All in all, I take rather excellent diligent care of my hair every week. I wash it, deep condition it, give it little hot oil treatment( as in I heat the oil and put it on my hair, without additional heat) or cold oil massage depending on how I feel. My hair feels and seems healthy, but yeah...

40 developer is way too high and I would not recommended it. Even though the color you want is a semi-permanent, it appears that you need to significantly lift your hair which is very risky and damaging. Have you considering compromising and using the semi without lifting? I know you won't get the color on the box but at least you'll have some color.

Nonetheless, if you feel confident that you want to get the color you desire and can still maintain a healthy head of hair, I would consider using a 20 vol developer. It won't lift your hair as much but you'll get some lift. 30 vol developer can work as well as it gives a higher lift but I would leave that to the professional to do. Keep in mind that the higher the developer, you increase the risk of damage to your hair.

Also I strongly suggest doing (or have your stylist) a strand test first and wait at least 2 weeks after to see the condition of your hair.

Considering what you want to do, I still recommend going to a professional for a consult.

When I was referring to heat, I referencing the fact that doing the BKT treatment requires a significant amount of heat.

Yes, I have Abba's pure moisture line as well and I love it!

 

[MyAngelEyez~C~U]

Do the color the same day you BKT, and do it prior to the BKT. The color treatment will help the keratin bind better, and the keratin will seal the color in so it will not fade as quickly. If you do it after the BKT, you have to wait about three weeks before you can color, because the sealed strand won't take the color well. HTH.

ETA BKT is not considered a chemical process, as it does not alter your strands, just coats them.

 

[MikaMikami]

Well Okay Thank you ladies, Ive made my decion about everything.

Im going to forget about the bleach and aim for something darker, or maybe I'll get lucky but Im not placing any bets on that.

Im going to color my hair about a week before my appointment. MyAngelEyez~C~U is right about the BKT helping seal the color as well as coating my hair.

At last I can go into this with a clear head. Thank you all so much!!! Perhaps I'll post pictures somewhere. ^__^