At BRUSH in Amsterdam, we specialize in a range of advanced color services, including balayage for clients who have previously used box dye. While box dye is a quick and affordable at-home solution, it can create challenges for us as professional stylists when it comes to achieving the desired balayage results.
We always recommend coming to us for expert color services, as our team is highly skilled at working with hair that has been treated with box dye. However, it's important to understand that there are some risks involved when applying balayage to box-dyed hair—and that achieving the perfect result may take more than one session.
Below are the main risks to consider when undergoing a professional balayage treatment on hair that has been previously colored with box dye:
1. Uneven color and uneven lifting
One of the most significant risks when balayaging box-dyed hair is that the color may lift unevenly. Box dye can be difficult to remove or lighten, especially if it has created a coating or opaque layer on the hair. As a result, the balayage highlights may not blend well or may appear patchy, especially if the box dye has been applied unevenly or if your hair has different porosity levels. Our professional colorists will assess your hair and create a tailored treatment plan to work with the current color, but it’s important to understand that the balayage process might not yield a perfect result in just one session.
2. Hair damage and overprocessing
Box dyes often contain harsh chemicals such as ammonia and peroxide that can weaken the hair shaft. If you’ve been using box dye frequently, your hair may already be compromised. Attempting to lighten box-dyed hair further can lead to overprocessing, resulting in hair that is dry, brittle, and more prone to breakage. Our experts will carefully evaluate the condition of your hair and choose the most appropriate products to minimize damage, but keep in mind that lightening hair that has been heavily dyed with box dye may require extra care and time.
3. Color mismatches and toning issues
Box dye can cause color mismatches and tonal inconsistencies, which can make it difficult to achieve seamless balayage highlights. This is because box dye often leads to flat, one-dimensional color that doesn’t have the natural undertones needed for a balanced balayage. After assessing your hair, we may need to correct the underlying tone or use a color remover before applying balayage to ensure a well-blended, natural look. Depending on your hair’s current condition, the desired tonal result may not be achieved in a single session.
4. Long-term color correction process
If you’ve used box dye, the process of getting the perfect balayage may take multiple visits to achieve the exact look you want. It’s important to understand that color correction may be necessary to safely remove the box dye or lift the color to the right level for balayage. We may need to do a gradual lightening process to avoid over-processing or causing undue damage to your hair. In some cases, we may recommend a series of treatments to gradually transition from box-dyed color to a more natural balayage effect.
5. Difficulty in achieving desired balayage in one session
While we specialize in creating flawless balayage results, we want to be transparent about the fact that achieving the perfect balayage in one session may not be possible when working with hair treated with box dye. Your stylist will work with you to create a customized treatment plan, but it might take more than one visit to reach your desired balayage effect. With multiple appointments, we can safely lift the hair and gradually apply highlights that seamlessly blend with your natural color.
6. Risk of Over-Processing and Compromising Hair Health
When lifting hair color that has been treated with box dye, over-processing is a real risk, especially if the previous dye has been applied repeatedly. This can lead to split ends, frizziness, and overall hair weakening. Our stylists are trained to carefully monitor the lightening process to ensure the hair stays healthy throughout, but achieving balayage on box-dyed hair may require extra time and the use of bond-building products to maintain the integrity of your hair.
What We Recommend for Balayage on Box-Dyed Hair:
At BRUSH Amsterdam, we are committed to providing personalized treatments to achieve the best possible outcome for your hair. While balayage on box-dyed hair presents some challenges, our team of color specialists will carefully assess your hair’s condition and create a custom treatment plan. This plan may involve color correction or multiple sessions to ensure we can achieve a beautiful, natural balayage while preserving the health and integrity of your hair.
If you’re ready for a gorgeous balayage, we invite you to book a consultation with us so we can determine the best approach for your hair.
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