During high school, many students are either trying to stand out from the crowd or find ways to fit in. Both of the options pressure teenagers into trying out different styles or trends that they would normally avoid. This is no exception when it comes to hair. From the stereotypical blonde to an outrageous purple, dying your hair is a common way people try to change their image.

You can use a permanent color, which lasts until your hair grows out, or a semi-permanent color, which will wash out over time. You can color your own hair at home with a kit that you can buy at the drug store or get your hair colored professionally at a salon.

No matter what type of process you choose, or where you get it done, coloring your hair is applying a chemical process to you hair. Which in simpler terms, damages you hair. An occasional chemical process will not do severe damage to your hair, but if you use chemicals on your hair frequently you can permanently damage you hair. If you color your hair avoid other processes which damage your hair, such as perms or applying heat to your hair. All the chemicals will damage your hair and may cause it to break.

There is nothing wrong with dying your hair, but if you have, make sure you continue to take care of your hair. After dying your hair, you should switch up your routine to pay better attention to your hair.

According to kidshealth.org and essortment.com, it’s okay to dye your hair as long as you do the following tips to keep your hair healthy. Cut your hair regularly to keep split ends at a minimum. Wash your hair only if it’s dirty and use products for color-treated hair. Let your hair air dry as much as possible before blow-drying to reduce the amount of heat you apply to your hair. Also to reduce the amount of heat used on your hair use curling irons and flat irons occasionally. If you must go into a pool with chlorine, add a small amount of conditioner into your hair to protect your hair. If you use products like gel and hair spray, use as little as possible because these products can dry out your hair.

Coloring your hair can be a quick fun way to change up your style but make sure you care for your hair or it might end up completely damaged.