The strand test is essential to assess whether the hair is healthy enough to undergo any chemical procedure.
We're always looking to change our look in order to feel more beautiful, refreshed, powerful or all of the above! Lol. But in the rush to change our hair, many people overlook a fundamental part of the process: the strand test.
And in some cases, what could be the promise of stunning hair can "go down the drain" if the strands are not healthy enough to receive a chemical procedure such as coloring.
Hair that has undergone previous coloring, straightening and even extreme exposure to UV rays is often in no condition to undergo a chemical treatment without first receiving a powerful treatment.
So how do I know if my hair is healthy enough to undergo a chemical procedure?
The strand test not only indicates whether your hair is suitable for coloring, but also whether the color background will match the result you want. It is the guarantee that the result of the change will be as desired and that the process will be carried out in total safety.
And you may be asking yourself "But my hairdresser doesn't always do the strand test, so I don't see the need to do it either". It's worth remembering that the professional has enough experience to assess the feel, look and characteristics of the hair to see if it's in ideal condition.
Let's not forget that if you go to the salon often enough, your hairdresser may know your hair even better than you do. And, of course, when the chemical procedure is more aggressive or when you go to a salon for the first time, a good professional will certainly do a strand test.
How to do the wick test
According to experts, it's best to carry out the strand test about five days beforehand to be able to analyze the reaction of the hair even after a few washes, but we know that it's usually done just before applying the dye to all the strands.
It's important to remember that, before the strand test, it's essential to carry out a touch test to find out if the dye could cause any irritation, itching, burning or even allergies. To do this, apply the dye to a small area of the forearm - or behind the ear - and observe for 45 minutes.
After the touch test, you can test the color change on just a small section of your hair. Check out the step-by-step below:
- separate a section from the back of the hair, preferably from the nape of the neck so that it is less visible if the hair reacts;
- apply the coloring product to the length of the strand you have chosen, keeping 1 cm away from the root;
- wait the pause time indicated by the product manufacturer, and don't forget to check every 5 minutes to see if your hair is undergoing any unwanted changes or reactions. If there is any reaction, stop the test and clean the area immediately;
- after the pause time, wash the strand and, once dry, assess the result and the condition of the hair. If the strand breaks or is badly damaged, do not proceed with the change on the rest of the strands.
What to do if the strand has been damaged
If the strand has been damaged, it means that your hair is not in a condition to receive a chemical procedure at the moment. Ideally, you should wait for your hair to recover the nutrients it needs to be strong and healthy to receive the color.
And, of course, during this waiting period you can help your hair recover by avoiding swimming pools, too much exposure to the sun and following a hair schedule. And if you still have doubts about how to make a simple and super practical schedule, click HERE and we'll tell you! 😉
Oh, and don't forget:
Always read the instruction manual for the dye you're going to apply to your hair very carefully.
Did you like the tips?!
We'll be back soon with lots more! 😉
