Why prepigmentation suits gray hair better than regular coloring, what is the difference

Dyeing hair gray frequently poses a special coloring challenge. To cover gray hair, a lot of people use regular hair dye, but the results aren’t always what they want. The color may not go as evenly or fade as quickly as it would on hair that is not gray. Prepigmentation is a more useful remedy in this situation.

Prepigmentation is the technique of applying a base color prior to the dyeing procedure. It contributes to gray hair’s improved pigment retention, which produces a more consistent and durable color. Even though it might seem like an extra step, people with resistant gray hair will find it especially beneficial.

The way the pigment interacts with gray hair is the main distinction between prepigmentation and regular coloring. Gray hair frequently resists regular coloring’s attempts to fully penetrate, but prepigmentation prepares the hair for better color absorption. Prepigmentation provides a more dependable option for those seeking bright and consistent results, particularly with stubborn grays.

Prepigmentation for Gray Hair Regular Coloring
Prepares the hair by adding missing pigments before applying the final color, leading to better coverage of gray hair. Applies color directly, which may not fully cover gray hair and can lead to uneven results.
Helps the color last longer and appear more vibrant on gray hair. Color can fade quickly on gray hair, as it doesn’t always adhere well to the strands.
Results in a more natural look with fewer touch-ups required. Often requires more frequent touch-ups, as the color can wash out faster.

What is this procedure

Even though the owner of the gray hair is only thirty years old, many people still associate it with old age. Coloring your hair will help to completely conceal the flaw. The process is not quite the same as coloring hair free of gray hair. This is demonstrated by the unique requirements for the coloring composition and the requirement for extra steps, specifically prepigmentation.

Since gray strands are vulnerable to strong chemical compounds, coloring agents should use gentle compositions rather than the most durable ones. The procedure’s effect in gray locks thus rapidly fades, making the issue visible to other people. You can prolong the achieved effect in trouble areas by using prepigmentation.

Tasks of pre-pigmentation

A professional-recommended procedure that is carried out right before hair coloring is called pre-pigmentation. It entails restoring the red, yellow, and orange pigment particles that were lost during the graying process to the internal void left by gray hair. To do this, unique pre-pigmentation agents that can replicate a pigment exactly like the natural one are used.

The functions of pre-pigmentation include:

  • creates a lightening background inside the gray hair shaft that is identical to the natural one;
  • smoothes out the porosity of gray curls;
  • most pre-pigmentation agents contain caring components that strengthen the hair before the upcoming coloring;
  • allows you to achieve a rich shade of hair, while problem areas are not highlighted at all;
  • keeps the artificial pigment on the hair for as long as possible.

Crucial point Pre-pigmentation is a quick and easy procedure, but it requires the performer to have very high levels of expertise and knowledge. It is advised that the process be completed in a beauty salon.

Gray hair comes in a variety of forms and has various causes. Experts in hairstyling categorize it into two categories:

  • zonal – the problem does not cover the entire head, but is concentrated in one place (for example, at the temples or on the bangs);
  • diffuse – gray hair is evenly distributed throughout the hair.

When discussing the qualitative markers of gray hair and how simple it is to color it, we separate out:

  • easily dyed – problematic strands are soft, thinned. They are easily affected by the dye, even with a low percentage of oxidizer;
  • normally dyed – hair is well dyed, a low percentage of oxidizer is used for the procedure (up to 6%);
  • hard to dye or "glassy" – the most difficult type of gray hair to color. This is due to the dense arrangement of the cuticle scales of the hair shaft.

You can use pre-pigmentation for any kind of gray hair. Without the procedure, it is impossible to achieve a deep, consistent, and long-lasting color, especially if the "silver" content surpasses 20% of the total hair or if the issue is hard to cover up with artificial pigment that washes out easily. For clients with zonal gray hair or to address gray roots that have grown after coloring, inprepigmentation is also crucial.

The amount of "silver" on the head and its structure are taken into consideration by the master when determining whether the procedure is wise.

Choosing a prepigmenter

Professional hair product manufacturers pay close attention to what colorists and customers want.

They strive to maintain the compositions’ harmlessness and naturalness by using highly active, innovative ingredients in their paints. Well-known companies contributed to the battle against gray hair by developing prepigmenters.

Prepigmenters are unique mixtures that can replenish the pigment that has been lost within the hair shaft. Pre-pigmenting can be achieved with a standard semi-permanent or permanent cream paint that is one tone lighter or darker than the desired shade. There is no oxidizer added during the process.

Kindly take note! If gray hair is pre-pigmented with ordinary paint, choose one tone darker for hard structure or one tone lighter for problem hair’s soft structure.

It is advised to dilute the pre-pigmenter 1:1 with water for easier application and penetration into problematic hair.

For pre-pigmentation, a lot of masters use specific liquid color dyes (like those from Ollin Professional Service Line). Pigment ratio and amount vary depending on the hair’s original tone. It is preferable to trust a specialist with the procedure in these situations.

Prepigmentation helps restore the lost pigment, resulting in more even, long-lasting color, making it a better option for gray hair than regular coloring. Prepigmentation primes the hair to retain color more successfully than regular coloring, which may not completely cover grays or fade rapidly, particularly when dealing with stubborn or extremely light gray strands. For people with gray or white hair who want bright, long-lasting results, this technique produces a more consistent, natural-looking effect.

Procedure

There are two approaches for pre-pigmenting trouble areas. Let’s think about both.

First Method:

  1. Take half a tube of cream paint of the selected shade.
  2. Dilute it with water in equal parts.
  3. Apply the diluted dye exclusively to the gray areas.
  4. After 15 minutes, remove excess moisture with a paper towel or dry your hair with a hairdryer.
  5. Dye your entire head of hair using an oxidizer. After the time recommended by the manufacturer, wash off the remaining dye with shampoo and use conditioner.

The steps for Method 2 are as follows:

  1. Take a cream dye 1 tone lighter than the desired shade. No need to dilute with water or mix with an oxidizer!
  2. Evenly distribute the composition over problem areas of your hair.
  3. After 15 minutes, comb your hair with a fine-tooth comb to get rid of excess dye.
  4. Then dye your hair as usual with a cream dye, but in the desired shade.

Professional guidance. Select professional-grade products for your hair’s pre-pigmentation and subsequent coloring. Home dye might not be able to handle the job and will only cause harm.

It’s possible to achieve a consistent, glossy, and deep color throughout your hair, even if you have gray hair. The coloring guidelines and the order of action must be followed in order to produce a breathtaking effect. Pre-pigmentation is only the beginning of the journey to achievement!

When it comes to coloring gray hair, prepigmentation works better than standard dyeing. It contributes to the more even and durable color result by filling in the spaces created by the lack of natural pigments in gray strands.

The prepigmentation process improves the foundation for the dye to adhere to, so this technique guarantees a richer and slower-fading hair color. In contrast to conventional coloring, which may cause gray hair to appear uneven or patchy, prepigmentation addresses the unique requirements of gray hair.

Prepigmentation is a useful and effective technique for anyone with a lot of gray hair to attain a bright, natural-looking shade. This little extra step ensures that your color looks more professional and lasts longer. It’s a big difference in the finished product.

Video on the topic

Pre-pigmentation of gray hair

Why pre-pigmentation suits gray hair better than regular coloring, what is the difference

Why pre-pigmentation suits gray hair better than regular coloring, what is the difference

Why pre-pigmentation suits gray hair better than regular coloring, what is the difference

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Ekaterina Zhukova

Professional stylist and makeup artist, I have extensive experience in the fashion industry. Specialization - wedding and evening hairstyles that emphasize natural beauty and elegance. In my work I adhere to the principle - attention to every detail creates the perfect look.

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