How Long Should You Wait To Wash Your Hair After Coloring It

Everyone wants to dye their hair until they learn that dyed hair needs much maintenance. The hair starts losing vibrancy if you don’t take proper care of it after a color treatment. To have a long-lasting color, you have to make some necessary changes in your daily routine, like avoiding long exposures to the sun, using shampoos with less harsh chemicals, avoiding heat styling tools, among other things. In this article, we have discussed hair coloring, tips to wash your colored hair, maintain colored hair, and more. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s jump into the article to learn all about hair coloring.

How Long Should You Wait To Wash Your Hair After Coloring It?

The most common dilemma you may have had after dyeing your hair is, how long till the next hair wash? Many hair experts say that it is best not to wash your hair for at least 2-3 days after dyeing it. This 3-day window will give the hair dye to set properly in your hair. Since washing off the hair dye is part of the dyeing process, you will not have to worry about your hair getting dirty. So, wait for a couple of days before washing your hair. It is also best to avoid any work that will make you sweat as sweating can also wash the color off the hair.

Should You Wash Your Hair Before Coloring?

The natural oils present in your hair often protect your scalp and hair follicles during the dyeing process. Hence, avoid washing your hair before coloring it, especially if the dyeing process involves bleaching your hair. It is also good to follow the instructions given on the particular dye you are using. Now, let’s find out how to wash your hair after coloring it.

How Do You Wash Your Hair After Dying It?

After dyeing your hair, it is necessary to take care of your hair to make the hair color last longer. It is recommended to wash your hair once or twice a week instead of every day to maintain its beauty and health.

Another disadvantage of washing your hair every day is that it strips away the natural oils produced by your scalp that keep your hair and scalp moisturized, fresh, and healthy. That is why dry shampoo is a great haircare product for maintaining hair hygiene. It gets rid of the dirt and grease in your hair between washes.

Another thing to remember is to avoid using regular shampoo and conditioner on your hair as they are usually quite harsh. Colored hair needs color-safe products that are specifically formulated to keep it moisturized and prevent the hair color from fading. You can also use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner after coloring your hair. This is because sulfates can strip color from your hair.

Use cool or lukewarm water to wash your hair. Washing your hair with hot water can open the hair cuticles and cause the color to fade faster.

Use a leave-in conditioner and other styling products that are specially formulated for color-treated hair.

Janine, a lifestyle blogger, addressed common doubts that often arise when considering hair coloring by recounting her own hair-dyeing experience in her blog. She notes, “After dying my hair I try to avoid washing it or using shampoo on it for a few days. However, I will always use conditioner when washing my hair (i)”. Wondering if you should use hot or cold water to wash your hair? Find out in the next section.

Do Hot Showers Make Your Hair Color Less Vibrant?

Yes, hot water can make your hair color less vibrant. Hot water opens up the hair cuticle, which results in the color leaching out and making your hair look dull. On the other hand, cold water helps in sealing the cuticle. Hence, using cold water to wash your hair is a great way to protect colored hair and maintain your hair health. If you want to take a hot shower, wear a shower cap to protect your hair from the hot water. As we mentioned earlier, colored hair requires color-safe products. Find out more about them in the next section.

What Products Are The Best To Use On Dyed Hair?

Taking care of your colored hair at home can be a tricky affair, so it is crucial that you know the proper maintenance methods to keep your colored locks’ beauty intact. After dyeing your hair, you should stop using your regular hair products, as colored hair needs products formulated specifically for it. This is because during the dyeing process, your hair cuticle gets damaged due to the chemicals. Color-safe products are formulated with ingredients that repair the surface of the hair while preventing the hair color from losing its vibrancy. Hence, pick products that not only will protect your hair color but also nourish your tresses and add shine to them. Another must-have product alongside a color-safe shampoo and conditioner is a moisturizing hair mask. The chemicals from the dye may leave your hair looking dry. A moisturizing hair mask will nourish your hair and make it soft and smooth. A moisturizing mask will also give it a high-shine finish. In addition, getting regular trims, using deep-conditioning hair masks once a week, and avoiding heat styling as much as possible can help keep your hair hydrated and healthy and prevent split ends. You also need to avoid a few things when it comes to colored hair. Find out more in the next section.

What To Avoid

How often should you shampoo color-treated hair? Jessica Shults, a hairstylist, says, “You should shampoo color-treated hair 1-3 times a week at most. Every time you shampoo the hair, you are stripping a little of the new color each time. So, the less you wash your hair, the more you can preserve the color. You could also try co-washing it, which is washing with conditioner only. It still cleans the hair, but it is much less abrasive and could lead to preserving hair color longer.” What happens if I wash my hair 24 hours after highlights? Hair color needs at least 48 hours to settle into the hair strands. So, if you wash your hair 24 hours after highlighting, the color will quickly wash away and become dull. Why do salons wash your hair after coloring? Washing hair after coloring ensures that all excess color is removed and distributed evenly over the hair strands. Jessica Shults says, “Your hairstylist washes your hair after coloring it to make sure they get all the applied color off of the hair. Hair color, or dye, works by opening up the cuticle and adding a new color to the hair shaft. Once it has been processed, you can shampoo the hair to dye it off the hair. You finish with a conditioner to seal the cuticle and lock the color into the hair.” Can I wash my hair twice after dying it? No. Shampoos strip off your hair color every time you use them. So, it is better to use them only once or twice a week on colored hair.