Designed to either accentuate natural shine, neutralize brassy tones, or add subdued color without the harsh effects of conventional hair dye, a hair gloss treatment is a semi-permanent or temporary hair treatment. Glues usually coat the hair, hence they are a less intrusive choice than conventional dyes that pass through the hair shaft. Available in both transparent and colored versions, they meet varying needs.
Hair Gloss Treatment: Benefits and Potential Drawbacks
A low-commitment approach to increase hair shine and manageability without inflicting major harm, hair gloss treatments have become rather popular. The ins and outs of hair gloss treatment, their advantages, possible negatives, and if they are the appropriate fit for your hair care regimen will be discussed in this article.
History and Rise in Popularity
Professional stylists originally started using hair gloss treatments as a quick cure for customers wishing to bring back their hair color between salon sessions. Their simplicity over time caused a boom in at-home treatments, therefore making hair gloss treatments more easily available.
How Hair Gloss Differs from Traditional Hair Dye
Although both traditional dye and hair gloss can alter hair color, the technique is where the difference resides. Without altering the natural hair color, hair gloss treatments offer a translucent coating over the hair that can gently change tone or boost shine. Conversely, traditional dyes pierce the hair shaft using compounds like ammonia and peroxide, which over time can inflict additional damage.
Types of Hair Gloss Treatment
Hair gloss treatments mostly fall into two categories:
Clear Hair Gloss adds gloss without changing hair color.
Tinted hair gloss gently changes or accentuates your natural or colored hair color.
Gloss treatments can also be either semi-permanent or temporary. While semi-permanent treatments linger more but finally fade with time, temporary glosses wash away after a few shampoos.
The Process of Getting a Hair Gloss Treatment
Salon Application Process
Usually, the hair gloss treatment in a salon consists of applying the gloss to moist hair following a shampoo. Depending on the product and intended effect, the gloss is let to process for 15 to 30 minutes. After rinsing out the treatment, the hair is styled normally.
At-Home Options
Often found over the counter, at-home hair gloss treatments are conveniently packaged in kits. Results might differ, though, from salon treatments since the ingredients are less strong and the application might be less exact.
Benefits of Hair Gloss Treatments
Enhances Shine and Luster: A hair gloss treatment‘s main objective is to provide the hair obvious gloss, so enhancing its appearance and vitality.
Smooths Hair Cuticles: Hair gloss helps to increase manageability by smoothing the outside layer of the hair, therefore lowering frizz.
Adds Subtle Color or Neutralizes Tones: Tinted glosses can either accentuate natural hair color or neutralize undesired tones, such brassiness in blonde hair.
Less Damaging Than Permanent Hair Color: Hair gloss treatments are less likely to cause long-term harm since they do not pass through the hair shaft.
Extends the Life of Hair Color: Acts as a topcoat to guard and accentuate the color, therefore extending the lifetime of hair color.
Improves Hair Texture: Smooths the hair cuticle will help gloss treatments produce softer, more manageable hair.
Possible Drawbacks and Thoughtfulness
Temporary Nature of Results: One downside of hair gloss treatments is that the results are not permanent. Most glosses fade after 4 to 6 weeks.
Allergic Reactions or Scalp Irritation: Some people may experience allergic reactions to the ingredients used in gloss treatments. It’s advisable to conduct a patch test before applying any product.
May Not Suit All Hair Types: People with fine or oily hair may find that a hair gloss treatment weighs down their hair or makes it look greasy.
Cost Considerations: Frequent salon treatments can add up, and while at-home treatments are cheaper, they may not offer the same professional results.
Potential for Uneven Results: At-home kits, if not applied properly, can lead to uneven gloss distribution, especially in thicker or curly hair.
Who Can Benefit Most from Hair Gloss Treatments?
For those with dull, lifeless hair who want a rapid shine boost without committing to a full color change, hair gloss treatments are perfect. For people with color-treated hair especially, gloss can help preserve and accentuate the color’s brightness.
Hair Gloss vs. Other Hair Treatment
Hair gloss treatments present a more transient fix than treatments like keratin smoothing or deep conditioning. Still, gloss is less harmful than keratin treatments, which call for formaldehyde and heat. Whereas gloss mostly improves the appearance of the hair, deep conditioning emphasizes hydration and damage healing.
How Long Do Hair Gloss Treatment Last?
Usually, a hair gloss treatment runs four to six weeks. Still, the length of the treatment relies on things like hair type, frequency of washing, and shampoo brand.
Getting ready for a hair gloss treatment
See your stylist about the proper gloss type for your hair before your treatment. Avoiding heavy conditioning treatments is part of pre-treatment care, which will help the gloss stick to the hair more difficultly.
Aftercare for Hair Gloss Treatments
Steer clear of strong shampoos with sulfates after receiving a hair gloss treatment since they can more quickly peel the gloss from your hair. Use mild, sulfate-free shampoos and steer clear of too aggressive heat styling.
DIY Hair Gloss Treatments
Though they are available at-home, at-home hair gloss treatments need cautious application. Although some well-known manufacturers provide kits to get professional-looking results, you should always meticulously follow directions to prevent inconsistent outcomes.
Expert Viewpoints
For people trying to improve the look of their hair, hair gloss treatments are usually safe and a less destructive choice, claims dermatologists and trichologists. But as dermatologist focused in hair health Dr. Francesca Fusco notes, “People with sensitive scalps or a history of allergic reactions should be cautious when using gloss treatments, as they contain chemicals that can trigger reactions in some individuals.”
Common Myths and Misconceptions
Many people believe that permanent color is exactly like hair gloss treatments. Although both can alter hair color, gloss is a much milder choice with a lessening effect with time. Another fallacy is that gloss treatments may restore badly damaged hair; although they enhance look, they cannot undo damage.
Cost Analysis
Salon hair gloss treatments vary in cost from $50 to $100 based on the salon and degree of treatment sophistication. Usually running between $20 and $30, at-home kits are a more reasonably priced choice.
Special Considerations
Gray Hair: Although gloss treatments might improve gray hair’s gloss, they won’t cover as thoroughly as conventional dyes.
Hair treated in colors: A terrific approach to rejuvenating fading hair color without aggravating more harm is utilizing glosses.
Various Undertones and Hair Colors: Depending on the hue you go for, tinted glosses can either gently accentuate or neutralize your hair color.
Potential Risks and Side Effects
Though usually harmless, some people may have adverse reactions or scalp irritation from hair gloss treatments. If you get burning or itching, wash the therapy out right away and see a specialist.
Alternative Natural Options
DIY treatments utilizing chemicals like apple cider vinegar or aloe vera can give shine for individuals seeking a natural alternative; they won’t produce the same long-lasting effects as a professional hair gloss treatment.
Conclusion
A simple and less destructive approach to improve the gloss and brightness of your hair is by use of hair gloss treatments. From neutralizing undesired tones to enhancing hair texture, they offer a variety of benefits whether done at home or in a salon. They are not without possible negatives, though, and different people will have different outcomes. Usually advised over at-home kits for long-lasting and even application, salon treatments are.