I'm 80% gray (ugh) and have been using l'oreal excellence (professional grade)permanent color 6.3 light golden brown for 5 months. Problem is I need touch up every 3 weeks. Doing this, I have noticed breakage and thinning. To add to this, the last 2 times I used this on my roots only, they are way lighter than usual. What is going on?

I was advised to change to same product in a demi color to prevent breakage due to the frequency of using it. Will this help?

Also, with my roots so much lighter than the rest of my hair, will it cover even, or do I need to get the color build up off the rest of my hair to ever get even coverage? And is so, how do I do that to avoid damage?

Have you tried the non-permanent colours, they have no amonia, so don't damage your hair.

If you have to use a permanent colour every 3 weeks, then you may as well use the non permanent one.
Claroll, Nice and easy, do a lovely variety of colours, that just wash out on a gradual basis, which is great if you don't like the colour.

There are all kinds of shades, and the best part... is they cover all grey completely... brilliant.

You also get this fantastic extra strength conditioner, that leaves your hair very glossy and shiney, where as with a colour that has amonia, this can sometimes leave your hair feeling like straw.

You can just cover the roots with the colour mix, leave for 15 minutes, then do the rest of the head including the roots again, this will give you an even colour.

Try it,very good and gentle on your hair.

Best of all it's only a few pounds to buy as well...