When Can I Wash My Hair After Dying It is one of the most frequently asked questions immediately after leaving the salon or after having painted their hair using DIY colors at home. You have finally attained that deep brunette, light blonde, or daring red hair colour that you desired and the very last thing you would want is to end it all by making one slip in the shower. Washing your hair prematurely may cause the color to disappear, the failure of the outcome, and disappointment. Conversely, waiting without due attention too long may also impact on your scalp comfort and hair health. So what is the right balance? We will simplify and make it practical to enable you to not only keep your fresh color and your hair looking beautiful but also last weeks.
Why Waiting Matters After Coloring Your Hair
The process of dyeing your hair opens the hair cuticle when you do so. Your hair has an outer coating that is referred to as the cuticle and this is what serves as a shield. The cuticle rises during coloring particularly with permanent dye so that the colorant can penetrate the hair shaft.
Immediately after the coloring process, the cuticle does not close immediately. It requires time to fix and solidify the new pigment. You should never wash your hair too early, particularly in case you are using the shampoo, as this will remove a large part of that fresh color before it has time to settle. This is the reason why the majority of professional stylists suggest that you should wait at least 48-72 hours before you can wash your hair first.
Water on its own can also influence the hair structure but shampoo is the greater problem since it is supposed to clean and clear up. Sadly, it has the ability to take away other newly applied color molecules as well. It takes a few days before the dye becomes stable.
The hair cuticle might also be even more vulnerable in case you have newly lightened your hair with the help of bleach. To that end, gentleness and patience are even more significant.
How Long Should You Really Wait?
It is advisable to leave at least 48 hours before washing your hair when dyeing it. It can be extended to 72 hours when possible, as suggested by many experts, particularly bold or dark shades.
But the waiting time may vary depending on the kind of dye you are using.
The entire 48-72 hours are typically required by permanent hair color. Semi permanent and demi permanent dyes might not take as much time although it is better to have at least two days to wait before the color is lost. In case you applied an interim coloring run or hair gloss, the period of waiting can be reduced since these items do not enter into the hair but cover it.
When your stylist told you to do something a certain way, you should always listen to him or her. They are aware of the formula and the reaction of your hair in the process.
When you have the need to rinse your hair due to the presence of sweat or excessive use of products, you should avoid using shampoo and use cool water instead. Even then, keep it minimal.
What Happens If You Wash It Too Soon?
Too early washing of your hair can result in fading away. You can see that when you wash your bright red, it becomes light after few washes or your dark brown does not look dark anymore. This occurs due to the fact that not all the pigment had settled within the hair shaft.
Uneven color is also another problem. Washing too soon may occasionally lead to patchy fading particularly where some parts of the surface were more porous than the others. Hair is porous and the color is absorbed and released faster.
One has the dryness factor as well. Hair can be weakened by coloring, in particular, bleaching. Premature washing with brash shampoo may cause stress and make the hair rough or brittle.
In short, patience pays off. Those extra days may mean three-week color and six-week color.
Best Washing Tips After Hair Dye
After the time of waiting it does not really matter how you wash your hair rather than when you wash it.
To begin with, the amount of water to use is lukewarm or cool. The cuticle is openened by hot water and the color can escape easily. Water dissipates heat and maintains a glossy look.
Second, a sulfate free shampoo that is specifically on color treated hair should be selected. These equations are milder and they are meant to cause minimal fading. Look on the labels of the color safe, or color protecting.
Third, do not wash your hair on a daily basis. Attempt to use two or three times of washing per week. During dry spells between washes, dry shampoo would be useful in absorbing oil at the roots.
Fourth, condition well. A nice conditioner or hair mask serves to replenish moisture and flatten the cuticle. This makes your hair shiny and wholesome.
Lastly, limit the heat styling as much as possible. Color can fade away with high heat of flat irons or curling wands. In case you are working with heating tools, then use a heat protectant.
Different Hair Colors and Their Care Needs
Hair colors do not work in the same way. There are certain shades that need more consideration.
Red colors have been known to fade very fast as red hue molecules are bigger and dissolve easily. In case you decided on a bright copper or cherry red, it is particularly significant to wait out the 72 hours before washing.
Blonde hair is weaker, particularly when it is obtained with the help of bleaching. It might require purple shampoo to keep it off the brassiness, however, it should not be applied immediately after dyeing. Allow your hair to settle down.
Dark brown and black colours are more resistant to fading, although they might also fade in case of frequent washing with harsh shampoo.
Pastel colors with fashion such as pink, blue, or lavender colors usually need most maintenance. Such shades tend to fade quicker and have added advantage of cool water washing and color depositing conditioners.
Knowing your particular shade can assist you to modify your washing routine to the optimal outcome.
Signs Your Hair Is Ready for Its First Wash
There is no need to be sure if enough time has passed, just count at least two days after dyeing. Provided that your scalp feels normal and is not inflamed, and your hair is not dry, you are probably ready.
During the waiting process, do not scratch or stiffly brush. Careful handling prevents the cuticle to be damaged.
When your hairy head is greasy, you should avoid the temptation to shower instantly. The thing is that natural oils may in fact protect and feed freshly colored hair.
When you get to that 48 to 72 hours point then you can safely shower under a gentle manner.
Final Thought
When it comes to hair coloring, it is a time and money spent either at home or at a salon to get the hair colored. When Can I Wash My Hair After Dying It might be a small question but it makes a great difference in the longevity of the color and healthiness of your hair. The cuticle should be closed and the pigment may be set adequately by a waiting period of 48 and 72 hours. Then with cool water, soft shampoo and by washing not so often, your shade will last weeks. Being patient in the initial stage can pay off with more glossy and long-lasting color and reduced number of touch ups in the future.
FAQs
When can I wash my hair after dying it?
You should wait at least 48 hours, and ideally up to 72 hours, before washing your hair after dyeing it.
Can I rinse my hair with water only right after coloring?
It is best to avoid rinsing for the first 48 hours, but if necessary use cool water and skip shampoo.
What happens if I wash my hair the next day after dyeing it?
Washing too soon can cause faster fading and may reduce the vibrancy and longevity of your new color.
Should I use special shampoo after dyeing my hair?
Yes, a sulfate free and color safe shampoo helps protect your hair color and reduce fading.
Does hot water fade hair color faster?
Yes, hot water opens the hair cuticle and can cause color to wash out more quickly.
How often should I wash colored hair?
Washing two to three times per week is usually enough to keep your hair clean while preserving color.
