HOW SAFE IS YOUR HAIR COLOR All genuine hair colors contain conditioner to help your hair look shiny and healthy.  Ask your beautician for which color suits you. Also have your hair checked out for porosity or elasticity, both of which play a major role in how healthy your hair, will look after the color. T he side effects are almost nil, especially if the client follows the after care recommended. However, it is very important that your hairdresser recommends a patch test in addition to all the points mentioned above, especially with a product you have not used before. Certain fashion colors fade easily and you may need to go back for a rinse once a month, for example, in the case of wine reds, you would need a regular touch up or rinse to maintain their intensity. In the case of gray hair, it would depend on the individual growth rate of hair. On an average, hair grows ½"- ¾" every month, so a touch up once in 20 days is a must for gray hair. For those with no gray hair and a mild color not too different from their natural color, a touch up once in six months is ideal. For those with a drastic or dramatically different hair color, a root touch up is important. The after care needed is usually a shampoo for color treated hair, which increases the life of your color and conditioners to protect your hair. Too much exposure to sun, sea and chlorine should also be avoided.   Dry Hair Massage well with oil at least twice a week. Take diet rich in zinc. Use a mild herbal shampoo and avoid harsh ones since the chemicals in them can struck them out of roots. Avoid use of electric curlers and hair dryers. Oily hair Wash hair every alternate day and rinse out with lemon. Use oils and shampoos rich in henna. A head massage with a herbal oil helps maintain the pH level of the scalp. Avoid oily foods and take more green leafy veggies and fruits. Dandruff 'Methi' seeds and tobacco are also helpful in fighting dandruff. Soak them overnight, grind the next morning, and apply on the scalp. Avoid fatty foods and red meat. Hair fall It causes due to deficiency of zinc, minerals, proteins, vitamins and B-complex. Due to stress, tension, hormonal imbalance, thyroid imbalance . Use of perming lotions and colors. Take diet of healthy foods and massage hair with oil regularly.