Janet Williams shows why people just love to colour their hair. Her honeyblonde colour adds spunk to a short cut. - FILE PHOTOS

Yahneake Sterling, Staff Reporter

Colour me beautiful. Let's face it, when hair has colour, it looks more vibrant and can give a more youthful appearance.

But can your beautiful tresses handle a colour treatment?

According to Dr. Hyacinth Oates, Jamaica's first doctor of trichology, there are several things to consider before applying colour to the hair.

Ensure that you choose a hair stylist that is an expert on colour. This is even more crucial if the hair is relaxed.

She also cautioned persons with grey hair to choose a colour that matches their skin tone. "The skin tone would have changed to go with the grey, and the wrong colour could age the person by 10-15 years," Dr. Oates pointed out.

One also needs to plan for the extra care and maintenance that the hair will require post-colour treatment.

Dr. Hyacinth Oates is a trichologist attached to the Trichology Hair and Scalp Clinic located at 22 Westminster Road.

Before you colour:

Always analyse the hair before you colour.

Treat the hair for two consecutive weeks before applying the colour. Do one moisturising and one protein treatment to build strength.

If the hair is fine and weak, it means that there is less strength, elasticity and porosity, therefore, only a semi-permanent colour should be used (a rinse).

Always relax the hair at least two weeks before colouring. Colouring on the same day or in between this time can create problems as the hair is already fragile.

It is still important to relax before colouring as the colour adheres better to the hair if it is in good condition.

Caring for coloured hair:

Healthy hair gives you colouring options. Like Sharlene Miller, you can use a number of shades.

When you have coloured hair,if you are going to use a high alkaline shampoo, the hair will be brittle and dry, and this can lead to breakage.

The PH balance of the shampoo is very important depending on your hair. (Ask your hairdresser to check first).

Always follow up your shampoo with a deep moisturising conditioner.

A second conditioner called a surface conditioner can also be used for at least five minutes. This leaves more nutrients on the surface of the hair.

It is preferable to set the hair instead of blow drying or curling it. This can damage the hair.

Now that you are equipped with the tips from the hair doctor, get colouring!