1-     Does dyeing hair with Manic Panic destroy the hair and is it bad for my health?

 No! Bleaching the hair, however, does alter the condition of the hair as it strips the hair of not only color but nutrients as well. The nice thing about Manic Panic hair color is that it can be used to fill the hair, counter-balancing the effects of bleaching, thus conditioning and restoring elasticity and vitality to the hair.

Problems can arise when people overlap with bleach (applying bleach to hair that has already been bleached) and over-process hair. We strongly suggest that people who are unfamiliar with the use of bleach consult a professional who can analyze the condition of their hair. Bleaching results are permanent.

2-     I have natural light red hair and don't really want to bleach it. Which Manic Panic color will show up the best on my hair?

 A natural lighter base hair would have the best success with the stronger red dyes such as Vampire Red, Infra Red, and Pillarbox Red. Dyes in the blue family may not have as much success as the underneath base red hair color may neutralize the blue effect (the blues would have more success on natural light blonde base hair). Seven year old Samara pictured below is a good example of Vampire Red™ Amplified™ formula on unbleached, unprocessed hair. Her mom says she went swimming earlier in the day, so her hair was porous and soaked the color right up. She left the color on for 30 minutes, covered with a shower cap, applied heat and rinsed. Behold the result is quite intense and bold!

 

3-     Do I have to bleach my hair before dyeing?

Applying Manic Panic hair color to bleached or lightened hair is the best way to assure that you will achieve the brilliant results that you see in the jar or color swatch. Bleaching with our Flashlightning 30 or 40 volume to a pale blonde (level 9-10) will give the most intense results. You can also lighten your hair with a high-lift blonde color, if you do not wish to bleach. It is not necessary to bleach your hair if your hair has been processed with a lighter permanent hair dye (in the level range of 5-8) The MP dye should grab on to this type of hair and show up nicely. If your hair is dyed with darker color permanent dyes (in the level range of 2-5) you will get a result but it will be less striking.

4-     For the first time, should I have a professional stylist dye my hair? I'm planning on using Manic Panic Electric Lizard for all of my hair, with Atomic Turquoise about 1 1⁄2 inches on the ends. I have brown hair that I've never colored.

 We always suggest having a pro color your hair for the first time, and you want to make sure that the colorist is familiar with our product. If they are not, we will be more than happy to educate them.
To achieve the two-tone look you desire, it will be necessary to lighten your brown hair to a pale blonde. These lighter colors like Atomic Turquoise and Electric Lizard will not show up on darker hair. Once the lightening process is completed, you'd want to section of the hair to be colored in the various colors. Isolate the ends and wrap them in plastic or foil. Start with the Atomic Turquoise: with a tint brush, begin applying the color carefully from the root to just about the ends (to where the isolated wrapped tips begin). Let this color process for about an hour, then rinse carefully with cool water. Towel dry the hair. Unwrap the tips and color the hair ends in the same fashion with the Electric Lizard.
Here's an example of someone who did something similar:

 

To achieve this she "Separated hair into sections, based on color, with bobby pins. Unpin one section, add hair color, then re-pin.
Repeat for all sections. I slept in it overnight, covered with saran wrap and a shower cap, then rinsed the next morning".

 

5-     If I want to highlight my hair what should I do? I am Asian with long black hair but want to make 6 strips of Electric Banana color. Help please!

You most certainly will have to lighten strands of hair with a high volume bleach (Manic Panic Amplified Flashlightning 40 volume is preferable) to a very light blonde. Highlighting is best done by a professional – but you can do this yourself:

FIRST CREATE HIGHLIGHTS WITH FOILS: Materials needed: Bleach kit, foils, tint brush, hair clips. First gather all the materials needed, put on protective gloves, and mix the bleach. Perform a strand test / processing time gauge according to the directions in the Flashlightning box . Using the tail of the tint brush, part off 6 sections of hair into strands that you wish to be lightened. Pick up a foil and place it under the strand to be bleached. Using your tint brush "paint" your bleach mix on the strand sparingly. Brush it all the way to the ends beginning at the scalp. Once you have brushed it on the strand, fold up the ends of the hair (if it is long hair) so it will be covered by the foil when folded. Now fold up the bottom of the foil one time. Fold in the sides, and continue folding up from the bottom until the foil is at the scalp. Use a hair clip to hold the processing hair in place. When you have finished the 6 strips, let the hair process according to the time determined by your strand test. You can check the process from time to time by peeking under the foil. When you are satisfied with your results, shampoo out the bleach from your hair thoroughly. Did I stress thoroughly? Towel dry your hair. Do not condition. Rinse out your tint brush and mixing bowl thoroughly. NOW YOU APPLY YOUR MANIC PANIC: Separate your highlighted strands of hair (you can use the tail of the tint brush) and generously apply Electric Banana hair color to the highlighted strands only. Once a strand is colored, roll it up and clip it to you're the top of your head. When you have finished all 6 strands, cover your head with the plastic cap provide in the Flashlighning box. Let the hair color process for at least one hour. Add some heat with a blow dryer for more effectiveness (but don't melt the plastic cap!). Rinse out the hair color with luke warm to cool water. There is no need to condition hair as the Electric Banana will serve as a conditioner. Dry your hair. Voila!

 

6-     I have light blond hair and want to color it Manic Panic Hot Hot Pink. I don't have to bleach it right?

 If you want your hair to be as bright as the color swatch, yes you will have to bleach. Below are examples of Hot Hot Pink on bleached vs unbleached natural brown hair. The girl with the unbleached brown hair left the color in for two hours.

7-     How can I know if I am allergic to hair color?

 

MANIC PANIC® Hair Color is PPD FREE!
Here's how to perform an allergen test: Place a small drop of the hair color in the crook of your elbow. Cover it with a sticky plaster so that it is not wiped away too quickly (give it about 1/2 an hour). Remove the plaster and monitor the spot for 48 hours.If you see any redness or experience itchiness you are allergic to some of the ingredients in this product. Discontinue its use and try another product.

8-     Will Manic Panic hair color cover my grey hair easily? I'm so bored with grey hair and feel like having a little fun. I was thinking a purple would be nice.

 Darker shades of MANIC PANIC will absolutely cover grey hair nicely. "Purple Rose" can attest to that! This 78 year old used Manic Panic Purple Haze.

 

9-     Is it possible to change my hair color from dark to pink at first time or should I change it step by step? My natural hair is dark brown, but I'm a swimmer so I have highlights from the sun and chlorine.

 You can try and see if your hair that has been highlighted by sun and chlorine will give a satisfactory result with Pink hair Color (use Hot Hot Pink). If you want a more intense result you must bring your hair up to a level 9.

10-   Is it dangerous to dye my hair during pregnancy?

Manic Panic Hair color is safe to use during pregnancy. As a matter of fact, Tish did not stop coloring her hair while she was Ôwith childÕ. She did however refrain from bleaching or using any harsh chemical products.

11-   How can I know which hair dye brands are good? I want one that is mild to my hair and a cool color that will last a month or so.

Manic Panic Hair color is the best hair color of its kind. Permanent hair colors contain ammonia and require peroxide to penetrate the hair. Manic Panic does not. Manic Panic hair color can easily last a month; it may require some replenishing after several shampoos but this is easily achieved.

 

12-   Which hair dye is the most gentle on the hair? I have fine, natural while blond hair and donÕt want to risk harming my hair.

Manic Panic Hair color! You should get a nice result on Òfine, natural while blond hairÓ that will fade gradually with shampooing.

 

13-   Should I use hair mask after I dye my hair?

 No do not, this will pull the Manic Panic hair color right off your hair! Manic Panic hair color fills the hair and acts as a conditioner. There is no need to use a mask or any other restorative treatment.