Your hair can get hot during the dyeing process primarily due to miscalculations in the dye formula, especially when using permanent dyes to lighten or brighten your hair. This is sometimes referred to as "hot roots" or "glowing root colour".
Common Causes of Hot Roots
The reference states that the most frequent cause of hot or glowing root color is the incorrect mixture of permanent hair dye used to lighten or brighten hair. Here's a breakdown:
- Incorrect Formula Mixing: Hair dyes often contain chemicals that react to create the color change. If the formula isn't mixed correctly, this chemical reaction can generate more heat than intended. This is particularly true for permanent dyes used to lift color.
- Overly Strong Developer: The developer (often hydrogen peroxide) is what activates the dye. Using too high a volume of developer, or a developer strength that’s too high for the desired lift, can create excessive heat during the reaction.
- Application Errors: Applying dye too thickly, especially near the scalp, can cause heat to build up. The scalp naturally generates heat and if dye is applied in a very thick layer it can result in increased temperature during the chemical process.
How to Avoid Hot Roots
Here are some solutions to help avoid this problem in the future:
- Accurate Formula Mixing: Carefully follow the instructions for mixing the dye and developer. Use the correct measurements.
- Choose the Right Developer: Pick the lowest volume of developer that will achieve the desired color lift. Consulting a professional colorist will help with this.
- Proper Application: Apply the dye evenly and avoid applying it too thickly on the scalp.
- Seek Professional Help: When in doubt, it's always best to consult a professional colorist. They have the expertise and experience to formulate the correct dye mix and ensure safe application.
Example
Imagine you're trying to go from a medium brown to a light blonde at home. You pick up a permanent dye designed to lighten several levels and mix it with a high-volume developer. Due to the intensity of the chemicals and the incorrect mixture, your roots process very quickly and generate significant heat. This can result in "hot roots," where your roots end up much lighter (and sometimes warmer in tone) than the rest of your hair, and feel hot during the process.
