Hair: 10 new looks without damage

1. Want to go from brown to platinum blonde

Risks: Discoloration requires strong chemical treatment. Hair can become dry and brittle. “Let us also point out that a decoration on very dark hair or on a coloring based on hot pigments will not work,” explains Salvador, a self-employed hairdresser at Salvador Coiffure in Lausanne.

Solution alternative: Progressive scanning could be a solution. “Alternatively, a light two-tone fade can do the trick. Maintenance will be easier, and the effect will remain natural, while preserving the health of the lengths.

2. Want permanent straightening

Risks: Permanent straightening products contain aggressive substances. “They weaken the structure of the hair,” notes the specialist.

Solution alternative: There are several chemical-free options. The kardoune, for example, is an ancestral accessory originating from the Maghreb which allows natural straightening: a long strip of fabric is tightened around damp hair and left to dry. “For my part, I work with products based on agave, a Mexican plant that traps moisture inside the hair. Result: they are smooth and it lasts for 24 shampoos. On the other hand, the service lasts between three to four hours.

3. Want extensions

Risks: Heat extensions sensitize the fiber and cause breakage. “The same goes for braided extensions, which can pull on the roots and cause hair loss,” points out Salvador.

Solution alternative: Depending on the hairdresser, clip or strip extensions, which are lighter, allow you to add length and volume without being harsh. Easy to install and remove, they are ideal for variation without risk.

4. Want to switch to an intense color, such as flamboyant red

Risks: Intense reds often require a bleached base and saturated pigments which can break down the hair structure. “The color fades quickly, especially if they are porous. Without forgetting that this type of color requires special care.”

Solution alternative: Opt for a gloss or semi-permanent dye. These techniques allow you to test the color without lasting consequences.

5. Want to cut very short after having long hair

Risks: “Drastic change is difficult to undo if you regret the cut, and regrowth can take time,” warns Salvador.

Solution alternative: Try a long bob first. Depending on how you feel, you can move on to a more daring shortening afterwards.

6. Want a curly perm

Risks: According to the professional, the perm modifies the internal structure of the hair, making it more fragile. Over time, curls lose definition, without forgetting that regrowth can give an unsightly effect to the whole.

Solution alternative: Heat-free techniques, like braids, can do the trick. “Otherwise, you can use the classic curling iron and don’t forget to use a heat protectant!”

7. Want pastel, lavender, pink, or sky blue

Risks: “Pastels require a very light, even white, base, obtained by bleaching to which a gloss or rinsing is applied directly chosen on the cloth,” indicates the expert. However, this operation weakens the hair, and the pastel pigments fade quickly.

Solution alternative: If you have fairly light hair, you can opt for temporary coloring, perfect for experimenting with baby tones without bleaching.

8. Want to visually thicken and have a “straight cut” effect

Risks: Salvador is categorical: the essential bob cut to densify everything requires sufficient knowledge in order to propose an adequate length, depending on the shape of the face, the way the neck is worn, etc.

Solution alternative: “The curtain bangs will be completely welcome to liven up this sometimes too classic style,” specifies the hairdresser. You can also choose a gradient or a tapering at the ends, which creates an effect of movement and volume.

9. Want bangs to change your style

Risks: “Whether it’s super short rock ‘n’ roll bangs (mid-brow and even higher) or brow-length bob bangs, each style needs to be tailored to the face and requires regular maintenance to stay sharp as hair grows back,” explains the specialist.

Solution alternative: For Salvador, the most practical option remains curtain bangs which age very well.

10. Want to have long hair, even if it is fine

Risks: Fine, fragile hair tends to break quickly, making it difficult to grow: “Up to the shoulders, it’s possible. But then, friction weakens the tips. For every monthly centimeter arriving, half should be cut off every four to six weeks, in order to keep the part healthy. The growth time will therefore be twice as long as for a person who has robust hair.

Solution alternative: We can move towards strengthening routines to nourish and densify. “Food supplements, such as brewer’s yeast or millet, as well as regular scalp massages to stimulate blood circulation are welcome!” x

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