Hair filling is a process often used when taking hair significantly darker to replace missing underlying pigments. Knowing when to perform this step is crucial for achieving a successful color result. Based on common guidelines for darkening hair, the necessity and method of filling depend on the degree of color change you plan to make.
Guidelines for Determining When to Fill Hair
According to the provided guidance from 07-Sept-2020, here are the specific scenarios that dictate when filling is needed when transitioning to a darker shade:
- Going One Shade Darker: If your goal is to move just one shade darker, no filling is required.
- Going 3-4 Levels Darker: When darkening hair by 3 to 4 levels, you need to fill with a color that is 2 to 3 shades darker than your starting point.
- Going Darker Than 4 Levels: For dramatic changes exceeding 4 levels darker, you will need to do a few layers of colour. (Note: The reference specifies applying 'layers of colour' instead of explicitly using the term 'filling' for changes greater than 4 levels, indicating a multi-step coloring process is necessary).
Adhering to these guidelines helps ensure that the final darker color is rich, multidimensional, and true to the desired shade, preventing muddy or flat results often seen when skipping this important step.
