Balayage and effects on hair condition

What is balayage

Balayage is a popular highlighting technique that aims to create an effect that resembles the natural fading of hair due to external influences such as sun and salt water. This is why balayage is often referred to as a summer look; it gives the impression of being fresh from vacation. In contrast to other highlighting techniques, balayage is characterized by soft transitions, whereas other techniques can create hard edges when growing out.

The balayage technique was developed in the last century and has enjoyed great popularity ever since. There are now numerous variations of the balayage technique, from classic balayage for different hair colors such as brown and blonde, to dimensional balayage, in which three different hair colors are used to create a multidimensional effect to visually give the hair more volume and depth.

The balayage technique offers several advantages over other coloring methods. It creates a more natural and harmonious look as the color is applied freehand, resulting in a smoother transition from the natural hair color to the dyed color. Balayage also requires less frequent re-coloring or touch-ups, as the color blends gently into the hair and regrowth is less noticeable. This allows for longer periods between visits to the hairdresser.

Since the balayage technique is characterized by being relatively gentle on the hair compared to other techniques, let's take a closer look at the process of balayage and its effects as well as the benefits on hair condition - sometimes referred to as hair health.

The process in detail

Various products and tools are used for the balayage technique. Brushes and combs are used which enable the products to be applied precisely. In our salon, we use our special in-house technology, which enables us to create more individual strands tailored to the customer's wishes.

Various hair dyes and bleaches are also used to lighten or darken the hair as required.

With balayage, the hair or individual strands are dyed using a special sweeping technique, which also gives this method its name (balayage is French for 'sweep'). This means that individual strands are not dyed or bleached up to the hairline, but are applied in the direction of the hairline. This creates the characteristic look, which can grow out for a very long time without looking annoying or unnatural due to the soft transitions.

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Chemical processes and their effects

The balayage coloring technique, like other hair coloring methods, uses chemicals that change the hair structure. More specifically, these chemical reactions happen in the middle layer of the hair, called the cortex, to permanently change the hair color. During the dyeing process, color pigments in the hair are removed or new ones are added to achieve the desired color.

Hair dyes typically contain oxidizing agents such as hydrogen peroxide, which lightens the natural pigments in the hair, and color molecules that penetrate and anchor into the hair structure to achieve the desired color.

The chemical processes of coloring can temporarily weaken the hair structure and increase the porosity of the hair, which leads to increased brittleness. These effects can diminish over time as the hair grows back and the treated areas are cut off. If dyed too frequently, the effects can be more permanent and increase the risk of hair damage. Various countermeasures can be taken to minimize the negative effects of dyeing on the hair structure. For example, hair treatments that contain moisturizing and nourishing ingredients can help to reduce brittleness and strengthen the hair structure. This also includes treatments such as Newsha Rescue or the classic hair care treatment. But reducing the frequency of coloring also gives the hair time to recover and grow back. This is where balayage comes into play.

Professional advice and products

Choosing the right hair care products, especially after chemical treatments such as balayage, is crucial. Hairdressing products tend to be more concentrated and contain fewer harmful ingredients. In the long run, this can be more cost effective as less product is needed and the high quality ingredients take better care of the hair. In contrast, cheaper products often contain more harsh chemicals and silicones that can further damage the hair, especially after chemical treatments such as balayage. These chemicals can also affect the color afterwards.

Silicones are particularly problematic before a balayage treatment as they can prevent the color from being absorbed well. They can also cause unwanted color casts and reduce the durability of the color in the hair. To remove silicones, the hair must first be treated with a clarifying shampoo or a shampoo with sulphates, which increases hair damage before the treatment.

It is therefore worth investing in high-quality products, especially if you want to dye your hair. This helps to maintain the condition of the hair and save money in the long term. Even if there are no official studies to support this statement, we can confirm from our own experience that suitable, high-quality products last significantly longer than drugstore products due to their concentration and efficiency.

We therefore generally recommend that if you wish to have hair treatments of any kind, you should ask your stylist to give you products to use at home and avoid discount and drugstore products.

Correct care and tips

Here are some recommended routines you can follow:

1. the right shampoos and conditioners:

Using a sulfate-free shampoo specifically formulated for color-treated hair is crucial to maintaining color and boosting the condition of your hair. A conditioner, on the other hand, helps to seal the hair structure, retain moisture and detangle the hair after shampooing. This helps to prevent breakage and split ends, which is especially important if the hair has been chemically treated. In addition, a conditioner brings the hair to a neutral PH value, as water is alkaline and swells the hair. This makes it dry and brittle. For optimum care, we recommend using Newsha Color Protect Shampoo or Oribe Shampoo for Beautiful Color as a shampoo or the Leave-In Conditioner from Newsha or the Conditioner for Beautiful Color from Oribe as a conditioner.

2. deep care:

A weekly deep conditioning treatment can help restore lost moisture and nourish hair from root to tip. This is crucial to boost the condition of your hair after chemical treatments such as balayage. This is where the hairdresser's advice is important as some need more keratin and some need more moisture. Come and see us, we will be happy to recommend products after a consultation with a stylist

3. heat protection:

The use of heat protection before using hair dryers and styling tools such as straighteners or curling irons is essential to prevent heat damage, which can fade the color and damage the hair structure. We recommend the Blowout Cream or Heat Protection Blowout Spray from Newsha or the Invisible Defense Universal Protection Spray from Oribe, which have excellent properties in this area.

4. cool water:

Rinsing your hair with cool water helps to preserve the color and prevents the hair from drying out. Hot water can fade the color faster and remove your hair's natural oils.

5. color protection products:

Invest in special color protection products that contain UV filters to protect your hair from sun exposure that can fade color. These products also help to protect your hair from other environmental influences. Newsha and Oribe generally contain UV protection ingredients.

6. regular pruning:

Regular trims can prevent split ends and maintain the overall appearance of your balayage. Healthy ends make your balayage look fresher and well-groomed.

7. protein treatments:

Protein treatments (such as the Newsha Rescue treatment) help to strengthen the hair structure and can be particularly useful after the coloring process to rebuild the hair and give extra strength and elasticity.

8. avoid chlorine and salt water:

Chlorine and salt water can fade the color and dry out the hair. If you go swimming, wear a swimming cap or rinse your hair thoroughly immediately after swimming.

9. do not wash daily:

By limiting the washing of your hair to every second or third day, you can preserve the natural oils that help to maintain the hair structure and protect the color. We recommend using a dry shampoo instead of washing your hair every day. For example, you can use Newsha Dry Shampoo or Gold Lust Dry Shampoo from Oribe.

9. refresh color with glossing:

A glossing treatment can be used to refresh the color of the balayage without impairing the hair structure. Glossings are special colors that are applied to the hair but do not penetrate the hair. On the one hand, this can prolong the effect of the balayage. On the other hand, unwanted color casts can also be reduced with a glossing.

Summary

The balayage coloring technique is a popular choice for those aiming for a natural, sun-kissed look. However, with balayage - as with all coloring methods that chemically dye the hair permanently - there is a need for subsequent care to maintain the color and protect the hair structure.

One important finding is the importance of using sulphate-free shampoos and conditioners that have been specially developed for colored hair. These products are milder and contribute to optimal care. We particularly recommend the products from Newsha and Oribe.

Additionally, there are other maintenance routines and products that can help promote the longevity of balayage color and improve the condition of the hair, such as deep conditioning treatments, heat protectants, color protection products and regular haircuts.

In addition, avoiding harsh environmental elements such as chlorine and salt water, as well as limiting frequent hair washing, is crucial to maintaining balayage color and minimizing hair damage. Glossing treatments can refresh the color, helping to minimize the use of chemicals by reducing the need for permanent coloring.

It is advisable to have a professional consultation before the balayage treatment to set expectations and determine the best color choice and care routine. Come and visit us at the Sandra von Gneisenau Salon and let our professional stylists advise you.