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want them for this. Most funky hair dyes can be left on for up to an hour without damaging your hair, but leaving it in overnight is not recommended.

*For best results, pour cheap, white vinegar over your hair before rinsing the dye out.

*Rinse and wash as directed, and then dry your hair.

-After Care-

Funky hair colors tend to fade faster and more noticeably than more "normal" colors. To help your color last longer, there are a few things you can do:

*Wait as long as possible before washing your hair for the first time after you dye it.

*Wait as long as possible between subsequent washings. If your scalp itches, you can rinse your hair, but don't use shampoo.

*Add a bit of funky colored dye to your shampoo. You can either use a small bottle, and mix dye to shampoo, or you can fill the empty dye bottle with your shampoo there's usually enough color in the bottom and stuck to the sides to make this work.

*Wash your hair with cool water. This helps the dye not fade. (This is actually good advice for everyone, since hot water strips the oils from your hair.)

*Use shampoo and conditioner meant for color treated hair, and condition your hair every time you wash it.

*If you plan to swim, wet your hair first (it will make it harder for your hair to absorb salty or chlorinated water if it's already wet) and always use a swim cap.

*Be prepared to deal with running dye whenever your hair gets wet, and if you sweat, at least for the first couple of weeks. It's also a good idea to use a towel on your pillow, and to make sure your hair is dry before you go to sleep, or you'll end up having pillow cases that match your hair color.

Funky colored hair is a way to step a little bit outside yourself without spending a huge amount of money. It can help boost your confidence, or just make you feel special, but whatever your reason for dying your hair an "unnatural" color, you should only do it because you want to, and when it stops making you happy, you should stop doing it.

Also, be sure that when you're ready to revert to a "regular" color, you seek professional hair care help. Getting rid of funky color is much more difficult than adding it.

Learn more about this author, Melissa A. Bartell.
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