Hair-colouring myths

Home hair colours can leave my hair in bad condition
False. These days, at-home products are gentler and most kits contain conditioning treatments for use after colouring (such as Nice 'n Easy ColourSeal) to close the hair cuticle and restore softness.

Colour treatment causes hair loss
False. Hair colour will not instigate hair loss unless the original hair is over processed and the colour is not properly applied. When colouring hair at home, always read the instructions and perform a strand test first.

Hair colouring during pregnancy is harmful
See an expert. There is a lot of debate as to whether pregnant women should colour their hair or not. Jeffery suggests that if pregnant you consult your physician prior to colouring your hair. "Most experts believe the key danger with hair colouring is not the application of the product to the scalp but the inhalation of the strong chemical odour," she says.

Virgin root hair should be treated differently
True. Hair colour applied directly onto the roots (new hair) will process differently than colour applied on hair that has already been treated. So it's important to apply less colour to the roots and more to the bulk of the hair.

Swimming pool chemicals can turn hair green
True. Frequent swimmers with natural blonde or chemically highlighted hair that is extremely porous may experience the development of green tints and shades over time. This problem can be prevented with regular use of moisturising shampoo and conditioners that provide a natural barrier to chlorine and related chemicals.

Lemon juice will bleach hair blonde
Sometimes. Some naturally light-haired people may notice a slight lightening or brightening after prolonged sun exposure and soaked in lemon juice. Brunettes won't see any obvious change in hair lightness or brightness.

Hair colouring makes your hair dry and brittle
True. There is no doubt that hair colouring can dry the hair. But managing dryness can be easy with regular moisturising treatments.

Hair colouring leads to premature greying of hair
False. Greying of hair is not increased by using hair colours. "Colouring only penetrates the outer surface and not the hair follicles, so if the hair inside the follicle is white, it'll stay white regardless of whether the hair is coloured or not," says Jeffrey.

It is essential to pick a hair colour that works with your eye colour
False. It's more important to match your hair colour with your skin tone. Jeffrey advises people with a fair complexion should opt for hair shades like ash, violet and mahogany, while people with a slight yellowish or a brown skin tone should go for shades like red, gold or copper.

Hairdressers can always do a better job of colouring your hair
False. Unless you're trying to dramatically change the colour of your hair (such as going from dark brown to blonde, or adding in lots of highlights) you can achieve professional results at home too, especially if you're after the same colour all over.