So I asked my hairstylist Dhiran Mistry of John Barrett Salon in NYC why I should stay a virgin. Here's what I learned:
Virgin hair is shinier.
When you color hair, you have to break down the cuticle. "Think of the flaps on blinds," he explained. "If you open the blinds, it lets toxins in. An open follicle on the hair shaft is prone to damage — from exterior elements like the sun." Healthy, virgin hair tends to be smoother and reflects more light.
There is less root maintenance.
Even if you cover up your grays when you get your hair dyed, they'll pop back when your roots grow out. And according to Mistry, they'll stick out more than if they were just blending in with your natural color. "Those three gray hairs will become superapparent on the hairline because you'll have a line where your real color is and where your dyed hair is, and the grays will show up in that highlighted area," he said. Personally, I just cut off my grays or use a bit of root concealer spray, like this one from Oribe.
It's easier to manage.
Chemicals in dyes dry out the hair, making it even more vulnerable to damage. "Hair is like a coil," Mistry noted. "If you stretch out a coil and it's not healthy, it won't spring back to its normal position." Superbleached strands usually lose their elasticity, making them harder to style.
Before you panic about your flaming faux red or golden-blond mane, realize that there are plenty of problem-solving products on the market to help keep dyed hair healthy. Plus, you can become a born-again hair virgin!
How to restore your strands.
This may just be your excuse to finally get a lob. Mistry recommends dyeing your hair a hue that is as close as possible to your natural color. "Then, you have to grow it out and eventually cut it off," he said. Tough love. But the payoff is worth it!
