Hair toning is an essential step in maintaining the vibrancy and health of color-treated hair. But what exactly is a toner for hair? Let’s demystify this crucial haircare product, its types, uses, and benefits, to help you achieve your perfect hair color.
Chapter Overview
Understanding Hair Toner
A hair toner, often referred to as simply a ‘toner,’ is a hair product specifically designed to refine and enhance the tonality of your hair. It is predominantly used to neutralize or personalize the natural hair color post a professional dye job or bleaching.
Essentially, a hair toner acts as a topcoat for your hair, emphasizing or muting certain tones. This results in a more natural and personalized finish for color-treated hair. It’s important to note that hair toners are not exclusive to blondes; they can also be beneficial for brunettes and redheads wanting to eliminate unwanted brassy hues.
The Science Behind Hair Toners
Hair toners function based on the principle of color theory. Our hair naturally contains two primary pigments: eumelanin (brown to black pigment) and pheomelanin (yellow, orange to light red pigment). When hair is lightened or bleached, eumelanin gets removed, while pheomelanin remains largely unaffected.
This is where hair toners come into play. They balance the undesired warm tones by introducing color from the opposite side of the color spectrum. For instance, a purple toner neutralizes yellow tones, and a blue toner cancels out orange tones, thereby achieving a more neutral and natural-looking hair color. Finding the right toner for your brassy hair is essential for eliminating unwanted tone from your color treated hair.
The Different Types of Hair Toners
Here’s a quick rundown of the various kinds of hair toners available in the market:
- Tinted Shampoos and Conditioners: Tinted shampoos and conditioners can also serve as toners as they contain pigments that adjust the tone of your hair. They are easy to use and can be incorporated into your regular hair care routine
- Demi-Permanent Colors or Glosses: These toners deposit color without lightening the hair. They can last for six to eight weeks and fade out gradually, making them ideal for those who frequently change their hair color
- At-Home Toning Products: You can also find toning products like purple shampoos for maintaining your color between professional treatments. While these are less pigmented than salon toners, they can extend the life of your salon color
- In-Salon Hair Toners: These toners are applied by professionals in a salon. They are more pigmented, allowing hairdressers to personalize your color by adjusting the warm or cool tones and correcting any unwanted shades
The Magic of Hair Toners
Hair toners come with a host of benefits that can enhance the look and feel of your hair:
- Protection and Strengthening: By creating a protective barrier around the strands and balancing the hair’s porosity, toners can also strengthen your hair
- Add Shine and Gloss: Toners also boost the shine of your hair, making the color more vibrant and the hair more lustrous. They act as a ‘topcoat,’ smoothing the hair surface and enhancing its radiance
- Color Correction and Adjustment: Toners can be used to adjust or correct the color of your hair, especially after a color treatment. They can either enhance the existing color or counteract any unwanted shades
- Neutralize Unwanted Warmth: Toners are the secret weapon for combating the undesired warmth that often arises from hair lightening. They neutralize these warm hues, leaving you with a personalized and professional-looking finish
Using Hair Toner Effectively
Here are some steps to use hair dye toner effectively:
- Pre-lightening: In order for the toner to work, your hair needs to be pre-lightened or colored first. This process lifts your natural or colored hair to the lightness you require, preparing it for the toning process
- Application: Apply the toner to your hair, focusing on the areas with unwanted undertones. Leave it on for the recommended time, which is typically between 5 to 20 minutes
- Rinsing: After the application, rinse your hair thoroughly with lukewarm or cold water. Cold water is better as it helps to stop the toning process
- Post-Toning Care: Follow up with a moisturizing shampoo and deep conditioner to nourish your hair
Remember, if you’re planning on toning at home, be careful. Any major color work should always be done by a professional to avoid unwanted results.
The Lifespan of Hair Toners
The lifespan of a hair toner can vary based on several factors, including how often you wash your colored hair, your hair type, and the quality of the toner. Generally, the effects of a hair toner can last between three to eight weeks. For maintaining the effects, you can use at-home toning products like tinted shampoos and conditioners.
Hair Toners: Not Just for Blondes
Contrary to popular belief, hair toners are not exclusive to blondes. They can also work wonders on brunettes and redheads who wish to eliminate undesirable brassy tones.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding what is a toner for hair can be the difference between having a vibrant, well-maintained hair dye and a lackluster, faded one. By selecting the right toner for your hair type and color, and using it correctly, you can maintain your dream hair color for longer, all while keeping your hair healthy and lustrous.