How Do I Strip Out Hair Dye/Color?

Question: Hi YouTips4U, I need some advice. I just colored my hair and I hate it. Is there a way that I can strip out the color?


YouTiips4U: Hi, I understand your disappointment. Sometimes hair color just does not come out as you thought it would. This can happen if you do it yourself or if you go to a colorist and have it done professionally. If you had your hair colored professionally, my advice is to go back to your colorist and tell him/her that you do not like the color and it's not what you wanted. The quicker you do this the better because the longer you wait, the more the color will take hold on your hair. It's best to go either the same day or the next day. Most hairdressers will be more than happy to accommodate you and try to achieve the color you desired. They will also be able to advise you on the safety of removing the color depending on the current condition of your hair. So play it safe and ask first.

If your color is semi-permanent, don't fret too much, it will fade rather quickly (about 28 days). You can speed up this process by shampooing right away and continuing to shampoo regularly until the color has faded. Using a clarifying shampoo which is designed to remove buildup on hair and scalp will work the best because just as it is designed to remove buildup coating your hair shaft, it will remove color as well. If you want something stronger and quicker, using Head and Shoulders (the dandruff shampoo) http://amzn.to/1W5FCLf and/or dish-washing liquid detergent like Dawn http://amzn.to/1TasAcU will fade the color quickly. Be sure you condition well after each shampoo as this can cause hair to be dry.

If you have used a permanent color, you will probably have to use a color remover (either you or a professional will do this). There are quite a few sold at beauty supply stores. Just to name a few: L'Oreal Color Zaphttp://amzn.to/1qNbJ6U, Clairol Metalexhttp://amzn.to/1qNbNmU, or Clairol Uncolor. These products will strip out the unwanted hair dye so you can recolor it to the shade you wanted. Don't be alarmed if your hair looks a strange color after using one of these products. The purpose of the color remover is to remove all of the dark pigment from your hair. This process will leave behind a bright rather unnatural looking color. Don't fret if you see this; the hair is now ready to have a toner applied or to be recolored. Sometimes people are even happy with the results of just using the Color Zap to remove the color and not recoloring it; but that depends on your hair color. Please speak to the representative in you beauty supply store for help with usage of these products. Also, many of these products have help lines that you should definitely call before beginning.

Please keep in mind that whether you go to a salon to remove your color professionally, or do it yourself with dish-washing liquid or color remover, you will be doing damage to already damaged hair by overprocesssing it. Coloring your hair does strip it of moisture and natural oils, so you should know that these after processes can cause more dryness and breakage. The safest and gentlest way for you to get rid of permanent color would be to let it grow out. Not always an option I know, that's why you should experiment with semi-permanent color first because they wash out and fade with shampooing and time. Check the box of hair color carefully before applying and make sure you know what kind of a commitment you're in for (the box will tell you how long the color will last), and remember that stripping hair of color can only be done if the color you applied is darker than your hair color. If you have bleached your hair, you cannot strip it and you must see a professional if you want to change the color of bleached hair or you risk significant breakage.

-YouTips4U

Is Tea Healthy For You?

Question: Is tea healthy for you?


YouTips4U: Tea is very beneficial to your health. Many studies have shown that certain teas, like green tea, black tea, and oolong tea have anti-cancer properties due to the antioxidant polyphenols that they contain. The best of which, in my opinion, is green tea as the most has been written about it's benefits. The teas' polyphenols may reduce the risk of gastric, esophageal, ovarian, and skin cancers. Other studies have found that polyphenols help prevent blood clotting and lower cholesterol levels. There are also many herbs that you can make a wonderful infusion with that have many health properties as well depending on what herb you use. Chamomile, for example, is very beneficial for calming the nervous system and promoting restfulness. For more information on how to make an herbal infusion, please see my YouTube Video: Prepare a Fresh Natural Herbal Tea Infusion

If you're concerned about the caffeine, there are decaffeinated teas on the market. Be sure to buy those that are decaffeinated naturally as these will have almost the same beneficial antioxidant effect as the caffeinated variety. I love Alvita Teas. A cup of caffeinated tea contains an average of 40 mg of caffeine, compared to 85 mg found in a cup of coffee, so you can substitute a cup of tea for coffee and you are doing better with your caffeine intake.

So I hope you will consider adding some antioxidants to your life with tea and enjoy the wonderful soothing benefits as well.

-YouTips4U

Tips and Product Suggestions for Fine Oily Hair

Question: Hi there! Thanks for your videos! They are very informative. Could you suggest some tips or even products for extremely fine oily hair? I'm 30 and have shoulder length blond hair that is so fine, fragile and needs to be washed daily. I think I might have a hormonal imbalance and am afraid i will be bald by the time I'm 50. Please, any advice would be greatly appreciated. thanks



YouTips4U: Fine hair is most susceptible to becoming oily quickly and can get this way after in one day. You want a gentle shampoo that's recommended for daily or frequent washing. It's also helpful if the shampoo contains panthenol (Vitamin B5). Panthenol has been praised by hair experts for being able to penetrate the hair cuticle making each strand thicker. Another tip: Use a dry shampoo or baby powder between washings. It will help soak up excess oil, and add body as well. Have you tried Garnier Fructis Body Boost Shampoo? I love the Garnier Fructis line of products. This one will help to give you volume and shine and is gentle to your hair. Their products are great.

Natural Products to Help Treat Dandruff

Question: I have a dandruff condition, but I would like to use a more natural shampoo instead of the dandruff shampoos like Head and Shoulders. Do you have any suggestions?


Hi, yes I do! You can use shampoo that contains Tea Tree Oil. Tea Tree Oil a great natural antiseptic and has shown great success in treating mild to moderate cases of dandruff. You can buy 100% Pure Tea Tree Oil and mix a small amount of it into your regular shampoo, or you can buy an already formulated shampoo that contains tea tree oil. Here are two that I can recommend: Desert Essence Daily Replenishing Tea Tree Shampoo, and Nature's Gate Tea Tree Calming Shampoo. Please take a look at my video on YouTube about Dandruff and other scalp conditions. I think you will find it very helpful. Hair Tips on DANDRUFF, Oily,Dry,Itchy,Flaky Scalp Conditions, Seborrhea - Symptoms & Treatment

Can Aloe Vera be used on Your Scalp?

Question: Hi, can I use ALOE VERA to prevent dry scalp?

YouTips4U: Hi, aloe vera can be used as a remedy for dry scalp. I recommend using the gel from the plant itself, but you can purchase pure aloe vera gel in natural food stores. Massage onto your scalp and let it sit for about 10-15 minutes, then shampoo.

Massage Your Scalp Daily

I have a great tip for you to achieve healthier hair - Massage your scalp daily! Scalp skin, overall, is very thick with the thickest part at the nape of the neck. Unfortunately, scalp skin does not move much on its own so it benefits greatly from stimulation. Massaging your scalp with your fingertips stimulates the flow of blood and oxygen to the bulb of your hair, which feeds it, and helps it stay healthy and grow. Very often bad scalp circulation can lead to thinning hair.

Before you go to sleep every night, take about 1-2 minutes to massage your scalp. Start at the base of you skull and gently rub upward and outward in small, circular movements with your fingertips. Never let your nails touch your scalp. Over time, your hair will thank you by being healthier and more vibrant, and it feels wonderful too! It's also a good idea to gently massage your scalp before you shampoo to loosen any debris and help wash it away.

Speak to you soon,
YouTips4U

What is the Tipping Ediquette at a Salon?

Hi, I often find giving a tip at the salon a stressful and uncomfortable situation. Sometimes several people work on my hair. Do I tip them all? This can get very expensive and often discourages me from getting a haircut. I always feel as though they are judging me. Can you offer advice? Thanks, Cindy



YouTips4U: Hi Cindy, that's a great question and I'm sure others share your concern as well. I'm happy to offer some guidelines to help simplify this for you so that you know ahead of time what to do and not have to sit and worry while your hair is being done about tipping at the end. The overall tip for services at your salon should be about 15 percent. Remember, that's before the tax is added on. You don't tip on the tax. Now, you can scale that 15% up or down depending on whether you were thrilled with your haircut or disappointed. Usually if you just give one overall tip, the salon manager will divide it up between the other people who serviced you, i.e. the person who shampooed your hair.

If you would like to control who gets how much of your tip, simply take that 15 percent and divide it up between the people who serviced you. A salon owner that I know suggests $3-$5 for the person who shampooed your hair. $1-$2 for the coat check person, and $1 for the person who brings you a coffee. Of course this depends on the salon you attend. Smaller-scale salons do not offer all amenities and so there is less tipping to worry about. Or perhaps your hairdresser does all of the aforementioned services herself, and therefore gets the whole 15%.

If the person who cuts your hair owns the salon, you do not have to tip them. Remember, they get the profits of the business. If you feel awkward about just walking out and not tipping, you can always give him/her a gift during the holidays like a bottle of wine, a box of candy, or a plant. Yes, you can give cash or gift cards too.

Salons vary as to how to leave the tip. You may just want to add your tip to the final bill which is very much encouraged these days by salons. Some have little cups or boxes at their stations, others you simply hand it to them. Many salons offer small white envelopes for you to place your tip in. If you use the envelopes, be sure to write the name of your hairdresser on the envelope and your name as well with a little note of thanks. This will help the salon owner know who the tip is for. No need to write the amount of the tip on the outside of the envelope. That's between you and your hairdresser.

I hope this will help take the awkwardness out of tipping for you. Having a standard by which you tip will make you feel much more comfortable and help you decide what salon you would like to go to. Some people love a big service salon with lots of people to pamper them, and others enjoy a smaller more intimate salon where it's just you and your hairdresser having a nice chat together. Whatever type of salon you choose, you now have a guideline you can refer too.

- YouTips4U