How Do I Take Care of My Newly Colored Hair?

• Use a shampoo created especially for color-treated hair (Revlon, L'oreal, Aveda and Clairol all make them)
• Wear hats or hair products with sunscreens to prevent your color from fading and drying in the sun
• Dampen your hair with bottled spring water before getting into a chlorine pool (it will help dilute the chlorine)
• Condition regularly
• Don't brush hair when wet -- use a wide-toothed comb
• Blot your hair dry -- don't wrap it or roughly dry it with a towel
• Avoid overdrying -- blow dry until hair is almost, but not entirely, dry

Are There Health Risks Associated with Coloring Hair?
There have been occasional questions about hair color in connection with cancer. A recent Harvard University study found no evidence of positive association between the use of permanent hair dye and cancer. Research continues.

When Should I Go to a Professional?
Technology has improved home hair coloring products, which also contain packets of deep conditioning lotion to prevent drying after coloring. So you can probably do a pretty good job at home on your own. However, there are times when it pays to see a professional colorist. For example:

• You want to lighten or darken your hair more than three shades
• You've colored your own hair and it's a disaster
• Your hair is permed or damaged
• You have never colored your hair and want a major change