How Many Times a Year Should You Highlight Your Hair?

Many individuals choose to change the color of their hair by adding highlights to increase brightness and depth. Highlights can instantly spruce up the color of your hair or subtly change it. Many individuals choose to get highlights done at a professional hair salon. Since the process can be costly, it is important to know how often you should highlight your hair. Whether you highlight your own hair or go to a salon, it is important to know how frequently you can do highlights without damaging your hair.

Types

• There are two basic forms of highlights: lowlights and highlights. Lowlights are darker shades that are highlighted or streaked into your hair. The colors can range from ash blonde to jet black. Usually lowlights are added to lighter hair colors for the purpose of adding depth and dimension. A popular trend is to do subtle lowlights on the top portion of your hair and do more dramatic lowlights underneath. Highlights are lighter shades that are streaked or highlighted into hair. The colors can range from platinum blonde to caramel shade.

Time Frame

• If you go to the salon to get your hair done, you should allow two to three hours for highlighting, processing, cutting and styling. Typically, when you arrive in the salon, your stylist will consult with you and find out what kind of color you are trying to achieve. After that is complete, your stylist will go into the back and mix up your hair color and then return to put the highlights into your hair. Once the highlights have been applied, you will have to wait approximately 20 minutes to an hour for the product to develop and create the color. Once that is complete, your hair will be washed, cut and then styled. If you highlight your own hair, set aside approximately four to five hours. This will give you extra time to correct any mistakes that may happen. However, remember it is likely you will only need two to three hours.

Considerations

• You and your stylist must take several factors into consideration prior to highlighting your hair. First, the condition of your hair must be evaluated. If your hair is very damaged it is likely that your stylist may want to use a gentler developer and highlighting powder. In addition, the stylist may encourage a deep conditioning treatment to help restore moisture to your hair following the highlights. Secondly, the color of your hair must be evaluated. If you have virgin hair that has never been colored before it is likely your stylist won't have as much of a challenge in achieving the color that you want. However, if your hair is already colored the stylist must evaluate what colors have been used in order to figure out which product will help you achieve the results you desire.

Warnings

• If you are getting highlights put into your hair, there are several warnings you should take into consideration. First, if your hair is color treated and usually dry, highlighting will make it drier. This can lead to breakage and further hair damage. Secondly, if your hair is virgin hair it is important to understand that after getting highlights your hair may feel drier then it did before. This commonly occurs with any hair color treatment.

Expert Insight

• If you're planning on getting your hair highlighted, find a picture of an individual that has the color that you are trying to achieve. This is especially important if you are going to a new hairstylist. Not only does it clearly show your stylist what you want but it gives her a visual example that can help achieve what you desire. If you are coloring your own hair at home, this will give you a visual to work with. Lastly, since hair coloring of any kind is damaging to your hair, baby your hair after your highlights. You can achieve optimal results by using alcohol-free products and deep conditioning at least once a week.