Question 1

No matter how i shake, the end of the tube is alway just dark brown (beige out of a new tube). is this going to work the same?

Accepted Answer

I've been using Control GX for a couple of years.  This product uses a chemical reaction that depends on oxygen to activate the dye.  Sealed up in the tube it's a beige color.  Once you squeeze it out and apply, it begins to react with the oxygen in the air and darken over the course of 5-10 minutes.  You'll even notice a further small amount of color change over the 24 hours after you've rinsed it out and dried your hair as oxygen continues to react with the dye bonded to your hair.

The key to minimize the color change in the tube is to minimize the exposure to oxygen while it is stored for weeks while you use it.  If you are using it say 4 times per week you may go through a tube in a couple of weeks and that will limit the amount of time it will sit in the tube reacting to oxygen.

Personally, I have a medium brown natural hair color.  After getting my hair color where I wanted it, I only use Control GX once or twice a week to maintain the look I want.  So a tube will last me 4-6 weeks.  In that time, it will oxidize and turn partially black.

But there is something you can do to minimize that.  When you finishing applying and you're waiting for the dye to work, go back and pop open the tube then squeeze it so that the goop inside is just about to come out.  Now close the cover and make sure it snaps shut.  That will expel 99% of the oxygen from the now partially empty tube and seal it as well as possible.  Store it standing up vertically so the stuff inside forms a seal against the top (bottom when stored).  If you don't do this, all that space inside the tube that used to be filled with Control GX ends up filled with oxygen and the chemical reaction will take place.

With that said, I use it whether or not is is oxidized and it still seems to have an effect even if it is partially oxidized.

Question 2

Will the chlorine in a swimming pool or hot tub bleach out the product or cause it to run off?

Accepted Answer

So you have a couple of questions here.  Let me unpack the easiest one first.  No LOL, the product doesn't run under any circumstance.  Once you've rinsed off the Control GX and you're out of the shower, the dye is set in your hair until you cut that hair off.  You won't end up looking like Rudy Guiliani with shoe polish in your hair.  The dye chemically bonds with the keratin of your hair.  And nothing short of another chemical is going to break those bonds.

Which brings us to your second question.  Will pool chlorine affect the color of hair dye.  I have an in ground pool with a chlorine system.  The short answer is yes, chlorine is a highly reactive chemical.  That's why it's used to control bacteria in a pool in low concentrations and get fabrics white in the laundry at higher concentrations.  And as we all know, chlorine will absolutely destroy fabric dyes in a washing machine.  Wanna ruin a pair of black jeans? Throw em in the wash with some chlorine bleach.

It's the same with hair dye.  Chlorine will absolutely react with anything it comes in contact with.  But.....if you're using a pool with proper pH balance and chlorine levels, the effect is very minimal in my experience.  I use my pool several times a week from June - September and I really don't notice much impact.  If you're in and out of the pool for a couple of hours and then go take a shower, you won't notice much impact if any.  If you're in the pool 4 hours a day and leave the chlorine in your hair for another 4 hours before you shampoo, you'll probably see more impact.  But that's true of any dye on anything from hair to clothing.  UV radiation from sunlight will also have an impact.  So pool water + UV light for 8 hours will have an even greater impact.  But even then, the effect is gradual.

Hope that helps.

Question 3

if you leave it in longer will it work quicker or just get darker

Accepted Answer

Both!  Basically leaving it in longer darkens the hair faster.  I use anywhere from 5-12 minutes depending how much color I want at any given application.  If you keep using it more often and leaving it in longer, it will get darker and darker.  Less often and less time will get you a "salt & pepper" look.

And no it doesn't "Fade".  It's basically a permanent dye that will be there until your hair grows out and you cut it.  The reason you need to keep applying is that your hair keeps growing and exposing new gray hair.

Question 4

Is this a hair dye that you will have to use forever?

Accepted Answer

Unless your body begins to change itself back to a younger version of you that no be longer has grey hair than the answer is, Yes or at least as long as you like not being grey

Asin	B0896N6SPK
Best Sellers Rank	#8 in Hair Shampoo
Item Model Number	011509045232
Manufacturer	Combe Incorporated
Product Dimensions	6 x 3.31 x 5.63 inches; 1.11 pounds
Upc	011509045232

Control GX Gray Reducing Shampoo, Keratin, 4 Fl Oz (3 Pack)

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