How Much Does It Really Cost to Dye Your Hair?

The Costs of Dyeing Your Hair

Dyeing your hair can completely transform your look, allowing you to cover up grays, try a bold new color, or simply refresh your current shade. But before you head to the salon or drugstore to get your hair colored, it's important to understand the costs involved.

There are several factors that determine how much it will cost to dye your hair:

Professional vs At-Home Hair Dye

The biggest cost consideration is whether you plan to dye your hair at home or visit a professional stylist. Getting your hair colored at a salon is typically more expensive than doing it yourself.

At the salon, youll likely pay between $65 and $200 per coloring service, depending on the salon, the stylist's experience level, how long/thick your hair is, and any special coloring techniques used. Partial highlights or touch-ups generally start around $65, while all-over color can range from $90 to $150. A full head of highlights/balayage can cost $150-$200.

In comparison, at-home hair dye kits typically range from about $8 to $35. With at-home dye, the results wont be as precise or long-lasting as professional coloring. But you can still completely change your look for a fraction of the cost of a salon visit.

Your Hair Length and Thickness

The length and thickness of your hair will impact the price of dyeing it. Long, thick hair requires more time and dye product to fully cover. So no matter where you get it colored, longer/thicker hair costs more to dye than shorter/finer hair.

At the salon, stylists typically charge more for longer locks. The pricing might be based on how long the service takes or the extra product needed. For at-home kits, you may need to buy multiple boxes of dye to fully color long, thick hair.

Coloring Technique

Certain hair coloring techniques take more time, skill, and products than others, pushing up the price. Here are some of the most common options:

• Single process color - Covers your natural shade all over. This is the most affordable technique.
• Highlights/lowlights - Lightens or darkens selected strands throughout your hair. Subtly adds dimension.
• Ombr/balayage - Concentrates color at the ends, leaving roots more natural. Gives a soft, blended look.
• Color melt - Combines refined highlights/lowlights to gently transition between shades. Very natural looking.
• All-over bleach - Lightens your whole head to prep for brighter dye. More damaging to hair.

Precision techniques like ombr, balayage and highlighting require advanced skills and significantly more time, boosting the price. All-over bleaching is very labor-intensive and harsh on hair, so it is costlier as well.

Permanent vs Semi/Demi-Permanent Dye

The type of hair dye also impacts the cost. There are three main categories:

• Permanent - Lasts the longest, up to 4-6 weeks. Must penetrate cuticle to deposit color that won't wash out.
• Semi-permanent - Subtly tints hair for 2-6 washes. Small color molecules sit on cuticle.
• Demi-permanent - Between permanent and semi-permanent. Lasts 4-6 weeks. penetrates some but also coats cuticle.

Permanent dyes have the highest upfront cost because they require more product, time and expertise to achieve longer-lasting results. Semi-permanent options are least expensive since they simply coat the hair temporarily.

Salon vs Drugstore Brand Dye

With at-home hair coloring, youll pay more for premium salon brand dye compared to generic drugstore kits. Salon dyes like Wella, Matrix, Redken, etc. range from $15-$35, while drugstore brands like LOreal and Revlon are $5-$15.

Is the extra cost worth it? Heres the tradeoff:

• Salon dyes result in longer lasting, truer color.
• Salon brands often have healthier formulas that condition while coloring.
• Drugstore kits provide decent color at a fraction of the price.

Ultimately it comes down to your budget and preferences. Try both salon and drugstore brands to see which you like best.

Color Correction

If your hair has been previously colored, correcting or changing the shade will cost more. Pre-lightening overly dark hair, toning brassy tones, or trying to cover stubborn grays requires extra steps, special products and expertise.

At the salon, expect to pay $150+ for complicated color corrections versus $90-$150 for virgin hair color. Corrective kits bump at-home dye to $15-$25 compared to $8-$15 for regular permanent color.

Location/Experience of Stylist

For salon hair coloring, the experience level of your stylist significantly impacts the price. Hair color technicians charge based on factors like:

• Cosmetology education level (assistants vs seasoned stylists)
• Years of professional experience
• Expertise with latest techniques
• Salons reputation and location

Top colorists at high-end urban salons can charge $200+ for cuts and color. But junior stylists at budget suburban salons may only charge $60-100 per service. Review portfolios, consultations and pricing before booking.

Is Dyeing Hair at Home Risky?

To save money, many choose to color their hair at home. But is DIY dye more dangerous than professional coloring? Here are the risks to weigh.

Potential Hair Damage

No hair dye is completely risk-free since the chemicals can damage hair to some degree. Bleach and permanent color involve the most potential harm by penetrating the cuticle to radically alter pigment.

However, damage is not inevitable with at-home dye. You can take steps to minimize it:

• Do an allergy test before each application.
• Select an ammonia-free formula labeled gentle, "nourishing" or "conditioning".
• Never re-bleach or re-color hair that feels stretchy or porous.
• Use the lowest volume peroxide developer suitable for your goals.
• Thoroughly rinse out dye and use a deep conditioner after.

Additionally, many drugstore brands now offer custom formulations to make at-home coloring safer for every hair type.

Skin Reactions

Hair dye chemicals can cause skin irritation, rashes, or even chemical burns for some people. Do an allergy test 48 hours before each at-home application to check for adverse skin reactions.

Wear gloves during the coloring process and rinse thoroughly when finished. If any itching, redness or swelling occurs, discontinue use and see a doctor if symptoms persist.

Misapplied Color

Without professional training, it can be tricky to evenly color your own hair. The results may turn out splotchy or drastically different than expected.

To get the best DIY results:

• Choose a shade close to your natural color if new to self-coloring.
• Use tinting brushes or color-dispensing bottles for even application.
• Follow instructions precisely and time the processing correctly.
• Ask a friend to help color the back and sides of your hair.

Also have a color removal kit on hand in case of hair dye disasters! Then make an appointment with a stylist for color correction.

Maintenance Costs Over Time

While the initial application may seem expensive, keep in mind that you wont pay the full dyeing cost each time. Hair coloring is an ongoing investment.

For permanent and demi-permanent salon dye, roots will start to show in 4-6 weeks. At this point, you can get a quick root touch up for $65+ instead of paying $90+ for a full redo.

With drugstore permanent kits, youll need to re-color your full head every 4-6 weeks. However, if you stock up on extra boxes when they go on sale, the maintenance costs can remain low.

To stretch out your professional/DIY color and save money over time:

• Use dry shampoo to refresh hair between washes.
• Rinse with cold water to avoid cuticle-opening heat.
• Use sulfate-free shampoo and protective conditioner.
• Avoid chlorine and saltwater that can strip color.
• Wear hats to protect dyed hair from sun fading.

Money-Saving Tips

Looking to dye your hair without spending a fortune? Here are some money-saving strategies to consider:

Price shop for best deal

Call around to compare pricing at salons near you. Many also offer coupons or discounted days (like New Client Tuesdays). For DIY dye, buy when drugstores run sales or you have coupon codes.

Go for a subtle change

If you want a major color makeover, it will be costly no matter what. But for a more subtle change, ask your stylist for tips to freshen your current shade with minimal work. Or try wash-out semi-permanent color.

Extend time between dye jobs

Going longer between salon visits or DIY coloring sessions conserves money. Use root touch-up pens, sprays or shampoos to hide new growth for a few extra weeks.

Learn to color your own hair

Invest time watching tutorial videos to teach yourself solid DIY coloring techniques. With practice, you can get salon-quality results at a fraction of the cost.

Go shorter

If you chop a few inches off your hair length, it requires less dye and time at the salon. Short cuts also grow out faster, extending time between coloring.

Is it Worth it to Dye Your Hair?

Only you can decide if hair coloring fits into your budget and lifestyle. But if youve been contemplating dyeing your hair, dont let the potential cost hold you back.

There are affordable at-home options for every budget. And for salon dyeing, many stylists offer free consultations to discuss pricing. They can suggest techniques to meet your coloring goals on a budget.

The instant confidence boost of fresh, fabulous hair color can be priceless. With so many coloring products and techniques available, you can find something both wallet and hair-friendly!

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.