“Every shower or swim results in accumulation of metal particles in the hair fibres. The reason for this is the water eroding the metal piping and then depositing these metal particles daily, wash after wash. The level of metal in hair varies, depending on the water quality, where we live, and on hair porosity. Even, the cleanest water can be overloaded with metal particles. While this is not a health risk, but it certainly is a real threat during hair colouration. These metal particles interact with the hair oxidants during hair colouring service, leading to breakage and unreliable hair colour results,” Shweta Sahni, Education Head, L'Oréal Professionnel, India tells Outlook.?

You will be surprised to know there are over 48 per cent of Indians have metal particles in their hair. “To understand more about it and find a solution to the problem, L’Oréal Professionnel conducted 7+ years of research in collaboration with Ioannina University, 102 lab tests and testing on 1000+ real clients, to come up with disruptive innovation, The Metal DX, a 3-step professional protocol which assures GLICOAMINE, a small particle that can neutralise metal inside the fibre & detoxify hair. With Glicoamine, Metal DX ensures that even the highest levels of metal particles are deactivated, which in turn ensures you more long-lasting hair colour, less breakage, and damage of your hair,” Sahni adds.

Wondering how to take care of it? Once you have been treated with Metal DX, Sahni says, “Choosing the rights products to take care of your hair is essential.”

Explaining the procedure, Sahni says, “With Metal DX, you can treat your hair with a 3-step procedure starting with a pre-treatment that neutralizes metal before colour, balayage, and lightening services. In the next step a sulfate-free, anti-metal cleansing shampoo helps detoxify the hair after the service and lastly, a protecting care treatment (conditioner & mask) is done to prevent new particles from coming back. After the procedure, ask your hairstylist for the timeline of when you can wash your hair. Make sure you use the anti-metal cleansing cream shampoo and anti-deposit protector mask, a home maintenance kit, specially designed for your detoxified hair, that will further prevent any metal particles from accumulating in the hair fibre.”

French Balayage is very natural-looking, whatever be the balayage desire of the Indian women – shy, glam, or bold! “This 2-step technique suits all hair bases, even the darkest ones which make it perfectly adaptable to Indian skin tones and hair textures. The first step involves perfectly blended lightening while the second step focuses on a nourishing gloss to neutralize warmth and add shine.” If you are thinking about the harmful impact of colouring your hair, then worry not. Sahni says, “As far as harm for the hair is concerned when you’re colouring your hair, the cuticle is opened to deposit the new colour in your hair strands. This can lead to damage if proper care and nourishment aren’t provided to the hair. So, make sure you use the right products after your hair colour, take your salon appointments seriously, and trust your hairstylist with your mane.”

On being asked if there are any other techniques that a person can opt for to avoid hair damage, Sahni tells us, “To keep your hair healthy and keep up the shine, make sure you oil your hair at least once a week and wash it at least twice a week with the right shampoo and mask-like the anti-metal cleansing cream shampoo and anti-deposit protector mask to protect your hair. Lastly, one of the most important things is to use a heat protectant if you use heat styling tools often to retain the maximum gloss.”