To Dye or Not...

[kizzylonghair]

I am thinking about highlighting my hair.
I am have heard both good and bad points about whether I should or not. I just cant make up my mind....

So I have come to my LHCF ladies for their advice.
My hair is in great condition right now, but I am thinking is it worth rocking the boat. My hair is V fine (naturally). But now I know how to look after it.

Any Advice, experiences, etc
Thank You ​

 

[OneInAMillion]

As a lady with fine hair, I would recommend not getting highlights. When I was fully relaxed, I colored, and my hair broke off to it's thinnest point. It was the biggest setback I ever experienced. Also, my mom, who's natural, colored her hair which is fine. She had very thick hair though, just fine in texture. Anyway, the color did her in as well.

I don't know, try a cellophane and see if you get some hints of color. Just my two cents...good luck with your decision Kizzy, and keep up the good progress!

 

[kizzylonghair]

As a lady with fine hair, I would recommend not getting highlights. When I was fully relaxed, I colored, and my hair broke off to it's thinnest point. It was the biggest setback I ever experienced. Also, my mom, who's natural, colored her hair which is fine. She had very thick hair though, just fine in texture. Anyway, the color did her in as well.

I don't know, try a cellophane and see if you get some hints of color. Just my two cents...good luck with your decision Kizzy, and keep up the good progress!

Thank You for your opinion, my worst fear is that it all break off.
I worked so hard to get here!!!

Maybe I need to look into Cellophane, I will do some research on the internet.

Kizzy

 

[MissYocairis]

No, Kizzy! If it ain't broke, don't fix it. I had highlights done 2 years ago and I am still, nursing my highlighted strands back to health. My hair was in fairly good condition before the highlights and it was at a point where I felt it was a good length and strong. Once I got those highlights, it was a slow process, but my hair gradually thinned and broke. Over the course of about 4 months, I went from loving my hair to regretting my decision. Not to mention, it was a nightmare when it came to swimming in chlorine and touching up roots and looking for a rinse to match and not change the highlighted part, etc.....

You've made a lot of progress and you've done a lot of hard work. Highlighting is extremely damaging and not worth the risk.

ETA: I forgot...my hair was moderately thick...not fine at all....and it became damaged something terrible. If you have fine hair, I wouldn't take the risk. I am telling you, with thick hair, I started noticing a difference in my hair health in a matter of a couple of days. So, though you know how to take care of your hair in its current state, highlighting it will change its state considerably and you will have to start all over.

 

[kizzylonghair]

No, Kizzy! If it ain't broke, don't fix it. I had highlights done 2 years ago and I am still, nursing my highlighted strands back to health. My hair was in fairly good condition before the highlights and it was at a point where I felt it was a good length and strong. Once I got those highlights, it was a slow process, but my hair gradually thinned and broke. Over the course of about 4 months, I went from loving my hair to regretting my decision. Not to mention, it was a nightmare when it came to swimming in chlorine and touching up roots and looking for a rinse to match and not change the highlighted part, etc.....

You've made a lot of progress and you've done a lot of hard work. Highlighting is extremely damaging and not worth the risk.

ETA: I forgot...my hair was moderately thick...not fine at all....and it became damaged something terrible. If you have fine hair, I wouldn't take the risk. I am telling you, with thick hair, I started noticing a difference in my hair health in a matter of a couple of days. So, though you know how to take care of your hair in its current state, highlighting it will change its state considerably and you will have to start all over.

Cantbecopied,

Thank You for sharing. I HEAR U.
Sounds like you had a terrrible experience with highlights.
A lot of people I speak to have had issues with highlights, my hair is so fine as well without the extra trouble.

I just wanted something a little different to my hair, its all the same length because I am trying to grow it and jet black
BORING!!! and its usually in a BORING BUN!!

Kizzy​

 

[RainbowCurls]

I highlighted my hair when I was relaxed, my hair took 3 years to recover. Granted, I didn't take very good care of my hair back then.
More recently (last year) when I used bleach... it was ok until I started using heat to style (I was transitioning and my hair looked a mess) and got lazy with deep conditionings.
I think, unless you use NO heat at all, you will eventually get damage with relaxers & highlights.

ETA: Maybe you could get a few sewn in extensions for highlights, like this

 

[MissYocairis]

Cantbecopied,

I just wanted something a little different to my hair, its all the same length because I am trying to grow it and jet black
BORING!!! and its usually in a BORING BUN!!

Kizzy​

I know. I feel your pain on the boredom. But, if I could have gone back and traded my damaged, highlighted hair for my old boring, healthy hair, I would have done it in a heartbeat. Ever thought of experimenting with a pretty deep reddish-brown rinse? Those are pretty.

 

[SparklingFlame]

I voted yes you should. The only reason I think you should is because your hair is already healthy. Granted you will have to take extra care of your hair to keep it moisturized so it wont break off.

I had no problems with highlights in my hair when I was relaxed. However, my hair started falling out when I put in a Dark and Lovely permanent dye in my hair. The only thing that saved my hair was a deep protien treatment. Lesson learned: never put in permanent hair color. Highlights are ok, just make sure you pay close attention to moisture.

 

[balisi]

I voted Not Sure, but my real answer is: It Depends. "Healthy," strong hair is a better candidate for highlights/color, however you must be extremely careful with fine hair.

For highlights on fine relaxed hair, I recommend no more than a single process, namely, bleach only. You should be able to safely achieve subtle highlights if you don't take the level up too high, since the longer you leave the bleach on, the more damage you risk. Perhaps reddish brown highlights would satisfy your desire for change, while not stripping too much of your hair's natural pigment. I highly recommend some deep conditioning treatments a couple of weeks before the process, as well as after. Pureology makes some good products for color treated hair. Of course, a strand test first must be done first!

 

[sareca]

I voted "Yes" cause I had my texturized hair hightlighted and it's doing just fine. I tried to further lighten a few of the highlighted strands (triple process) and they fell out (duh, what was I thinking??) . Make sure the stylist doesn't use bleach and don't triple process and I think you'll be ok. Oh and of course make sure your hair is in good condition before starting. If you're really worried you could always do a strand test watch it for a month.

 

[MissYocairis]

I had no problems with highlights in my hair when I was relaxed. However, my hair started falling out when I put in a Dark and Lovely permanent dye in my hair. The only thing that saved my hair was a deep protien treatment. Lesson learned: never put in permanent hair color. Highlights are ok, just make sure you pay close attention to moisture.

Hey, naturallady! Aren't the highlights permanent? And, they are pretty strong because they bleach the hair to bring it lighter, don't they?

 

[balisi]

I voted "Yes" cause I had my texturized hair hightlighted and it's doing just fine. I tried to further lighten a few of the highlighted strands (triple process) and they fell out (duh, what was I thinking??) . Make sure the stylist doesn't use bleach and don't triple process and I think you'll be ok. Oh and of course make sure your hair is in good condition before starting. If you're really worried you could always do a strand test watch it for a month.

What product will highlight jet black hair without bleach?

 

[napgurl]

I vote no. I had very healthy hair highlights caused a great deal of damage.

 

[SparklingFlame]

Hey, naturallady! Aren't the highlights permanent? And, they are pretty strong because they bleach the hair to bring it lighter, don't they?

:scratchch Hmmm.....man I can't remember!!!! I had the highlights professionally done about 3 years ago. Then after a few months of highlighting I put in the perm. dye. It must have been permanate highlights. Girl, I messed it up myself messing around with Dark and Lovely. My hair fell out from ignorance. But it wasnt too bad. I have very thick hair and I could stand to loose a lil hair and I dodn't give it but a few days before I got a protien treatment.

 

[SweetCaramel1]

depends on the hair and the person. the hair because if it's healthy/condition. the person because alot more work will be required to maintain them (cold deep conditioning, no heat, etc...)

i got highlights too because i was bored with the same black color for 4 years. now i'm liking the black as it grows in. go figure??? the colorist did bleach my hair and put a deposit on top of that. without the bleach, my hair would have been a very, very, very dark brown color. if you decide to do it please find a person who knows color. there are different levels of intensity. i think it's the higher you go the more damaging. my colorist gave me a 30 instead of a 20, i think

good luck to you.

 

[MizaniMami]

I voted no. I hope I don't offend anyone , and I certainly don't know your reason for becoming natural, but I thought the whole point of being natural is to free yourself with chemicals?
When you get highlights you are getting your hair bleached. Just by the strands. If I were to every become natural I would do so to free myself from chemicals. What natural means to me (and again I hope I don't offend anyone) is the state of being pure. You said you hair is healthy so I wouldn't risk it. Your hair health may be attribute to the fact that you ARE natural. That's just my touch on things

 

[Candy_C]

Kizzy, i would say, unless u intend to cut your hair a bit shorter then DONT have highlights.

you can easily hair above ear hair and have highlights..and relax...easily. my cousin was wise and cut her hair off b4 getting highlights.

if you hair is shoulder length, or u intend to grow it out, then nope gurl, dont do it.

at this point u dont wanna *** up your prog. give it a while, get a nice rinse, use the rinse to add streaks if u want, to imitate highlights, but if your gonna continue to get a chemical service, i would 100% say no no no !

lol, i'm trying to put u off as u can see, but its ur choice.

 

[brownsugar9999]

Alright..you'll all hate me but DO IT!! I mean..really..it's only hair (did I say that?) As long as you treat it well, you should be able to do what you like...I bleach the CRAP out of mine, and it's STILL on my head..and not in bad condition either.

 

[RainbowCurls]

Alright..you'll all hate me but DO IT!! I mean..really..it's only hair (did I say that?) As long as you treat it well, you should be able to do what you like...I bleach the CRAP out of mine, and it's STILL on my head..and not in bad condition either.

Your hair is natural though isn't it? Bleach isn't as harsh as a relaxer.
If Kizzy was natural I'd be saying do it too.

 

[brownsugar9999]

Your hair is natural though isn't it? Bleach isn't as harsh as a relaxer.
If Kizzy was natural I'd be saying do it too.

Ohhhh.....I thought maybe she was natural too.....
hmmm..that's different...okay then..there is a line by (I want to csay clairol) specifically made for hightlighting relaxed hair...lemme check ..it may be loreal...

 

[sareca]

What product will highlight jet black hair without bleach?

Great question. I tried to answer it for months. When I couldn't, I broken down and went to the salon. I told him no bleach but I wanted light coppery red highlights. I don't know what he used, but the color was right on the money.

 

[InnerSoul]

I highlighted my hair when I was relaxed, my hair took 3 years to recover. Granted, I didn't take very good care of my hair back then.
More recently (last year) when I used bleach... it was ok until I started using heat to style (I was transitioning and my hair looked a mess) and got lazy with deep conditionings.
I think, unless you use NO heat at all, you will eventually get damage with relaxers & highlights.

ETA: Maybe you could get a few sewn in extensions for highlights, like this

I agree with the bolded... Relaxer and another chemical don't make a healthy combination IMO...so no I wouldn't put highlight chemicals(bleach)on my relaxed hair...it brings on overprocessing and more damage...I also had highlights at one time... If u decide to get it.. then make sure that you don't slack on moisturizing deep conditioning treatments and protein treatments when needed. It took me a long time to learn to care for my hair and if I decided to get highlights today...my hair would probably be okay..however I am not taking the chance b/c I also have medium to fine stranded hair...and I am not willing to risk the health of my hair at this point.

 

[LovelyLionessa]

I voted no, a relaxer has enough chemicals IMHO. Plus by using henna and/or honey you can produce some subtle highlights without the damage.

 

[caligirl2385]

NOT IF YOU ARE FOCUSING ON LENGTH... I WOULD GET TO MY DESIRED GOAL FIRST, AND THEN AT THAT POINT, I MIGHT CONSIDER IT.

 

[toyztoy]

I voted yes you should. The only reason I think you should is because your hair is already healthy. Granted you will have to take extra care of your hair to keep it moisturized so it wont break off.

I had no problems with highlights in my hair when I was relaxed. However, my hair started falling out when I put in a Dark and Lovely permanent dye in my hair. The only thing that saved my hair was a deep protien treatment. Lesson learned: never put in permanent hair color. Highlights are ok, just make sure you pay close attention to moisture.

I agree. I've had bleach all kinds of dye I didnt have any problems but I made sure I took extra care of my hair and kept it moisturized. I have dye in my hair now I usually dye it every summer and I dye the whole top I like the two tone look (light on the top dark on the bottom). But my hair is healthy and in a good state before I dye it.

 

[YoungWavey]

Yup i wouldn't get it done again...2 years old i wanted it soo bad and got it done ooh boy i was sure crying when i saw clumps of my hair coming out on my brush...my hair was mid-back length...good condition. My stylish would tell me not to do it b/c it would break my hair off. And sure it did...i wish i never got it done...i had to dye it black and start over...i cut about 5 inches off b/c it thin my hair out soo bad it looked like someone pulled my hair out . Nope...i wish i never got it done...

 

[homegirljiggy]

dont do it!!! I'm nursing my hair now because I decided to dye my already relaxed hair brown, then jet black, then highlight, then dye the highlights, then dye it back to black.... I recently just used a semi permanent to dye my hair back to black... and my hair is in bad condition, dont do it!!!

 

[Amour]

anyone still considering dye.. I would advise against, dying my hair was hair suicide for my hair I dyed it in jan 2007 and my hair is only now recovering from it.. My BIGGEST set back to date . It didn't even look all that good I went for a auburny colour which wasn't much different from my hair colour, I thought it would be OK because it claimed to not contain ammonia and thus was safe for hair

The only good that came from me dying my hair was consequentially finding LHCF because of it.

 

[Bellavita6]

I say dont highlight. i have 4a/b, fine hair. I probably would be at bsl by now if i didnt have 2 setbacks due to highlighting. Highlighting dried my hair out and made my ends feel like straw. Although, if i knew what i knew now, i probably could've saved my hair by moisturizing more and babying my ends. IMHO, highlights are the devil!

 

[FlawedBeauty]

Hey, naturallady! Aren't the highlights permanent? And, they are pretty strong because they bleach the hair to bring it lighter, don't they?

u are right. highlights are more damaging than color because it is stripping the hair rather than depositing color.

i have fine hair and my hair was breaking off something terrible after highlights. my strands just couldnt take it. but everyone is diff and that was my expierence so i voted no.