Perhaps the most telltale sign that a woman is going through menopause is experiencing a hot flash. As uncomfortable (and sometimes embarrassing) as they may be, it turns out that there’s actually a bright side to them. That’s right, those hot flashes can actually be helpful when it comes to hair color.
“With menopause, when women are experiencing hot flashes and using bleach or foils, the body heat coming off the scalp will actually cause the product to process faster,” says Los Angeles celebrity hair colorist at Warren Tricomi salon Kennedy Van Dyke. “A lot of times the heat will actually cause the color to hold better.”
But, while it can speed up the process, it can also go too far. In some cases, the heat can cause the color to get too light and can even damage your hair. That’s why if you are experiencing a hot flash, the colorist should keep an eye on it to make sure it isn’t lifting too fast and the color doesn’t get too light. So if you have a good relationship with him or her, it’s probably a good idea to speak up about it.
If you dye your hair at home and you’re having trouble getting the color you want, hot flashes could also be the culprit. So to get your desired color, it’s best to see a colorist for help.
It’s also important to remember that hair color can make a big difference as you age. It can make you look younger, but it can also make you look older. “As you age, you should make your hair lighter,” says colorist Shannon Tackett of the Harlot Salon in Venice Beach, CA. This is especially a good idea if your end goal is to gracefully transition to grey hair.
