Kayla Young
Embracing a different hair color has become a popular way of expressing yourself and your mood. Whether you want to enhance your natural color or go completely extra with a peacock blue or flamingo pink, dyeing your hair is a trend that doesn’t look like waning any time soon.
So, if you have freshly dyed locks, you may be wondering: how long does dyed hair last?
Well, that will depend on the type of dyeing treatment you had, as well as your hair type.
Read on for a full explainer!
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How Long Does Dyed Hair Last?
Depending on the kind of dye you use on your hair, the color will last anywhere from just one wash to up to about six weeks, when your roots will start growing out and showing themselves off.
This means hair dye won’t change your hair forever. It only works on the surface.
Depending on the kind of dye you use on your hair, the color will last anywhere from just one wash to up to about six weeks, when your roots will start growing out and showing themselves off.
Each type of hair dye has its own purpose, and it’s more than just the semi-permanent and permanent boxed hair dyes that you can find on your local drugstore shelf.
The four main types of hair dye are:
1. Temporary
This is the kind of dye you can use on your hair for special occasions, especially if you want to stick to your natural hair color.
It’s also known as wash-out dye, because it will only last until the next time you wash your hair. There’s no commitment when using this kind of hair dye.
It’s also known as wash-out dye, because it will only last until the next time you wash your hair. There’s no commitment when using this kind of hair dye.
2. Semi-Permanent
Semi-permanent hair dye will last a bit longer, usually about eight to 10 washes.
Semi-permanent hair dye will last a bit longer, usually about eight to 10 washes.
These dyes don’t contain ammonia and don’t need developer to be used. You can just buy a box at the store that you like, and not worry too much about getting it wrong, because it won’t last for long.
And when it does wash out, you can apply the same or another color after your 10 washes. Note that this does occasionally go wrong.
3. Demi-Permanent
Although it may sound similar to semi-permanent, demi-permanent hair dye needs the addition of a developer to color your hair.
This means demi-permanent hair dyes are able to penetrate the hair shaft, instead of simply coating it like the other dye types.
4. Permanent
Permanent hair dye works best for those who want to keep to the same hair color for longer. The chemical process involved is more complex, in order to allow the dye to penetrate deeper into the hair shaft.
The richness of permanent hair color will last for up to six weeks, or until new growth begins to show.
The richness of permanent hair color will last for up to six weeks, or until new growth begins to show.
5. Henna
And then there is another type of hair dye you may have used, which is also used by many to create a glossy red or black glow.
Henna has been used as a natural hair coloring alternative to the chemical hair dyes on the market. And although it is considered to be a permanent color, it will stay vivid for around six weeks.
Henna isn’t the way to go if you want to go lighter with your hair, though. That’s because henna powder, when mixed with water, will only work on darker hair by adding gloss or boosting your dark brown or black hair with lightened tones.
The one plus side about henna is that because it is entirely natural, then you don’t have to worry about chemical processing ruining your hair.
Mane Attraction
It goes without saying, that if your hair is already suffering from dryness or breakage, then you shouldn’t pull out the boxed hair dye until you’ve restored your hair back to full health.
However, if you’re now rocking your new look locks, then it is very important that you help to retain the vibrancy of the color by taking a few simple steps, such as using a sulfate-free shampoo.
A sulfate-free shampoo will leave your hair free of dirt and product build-up, without striping your new color.
Also make sure that your sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner are made especially for color-treated hair.
These types of formulations are made specifically to help keep your hair safe and protected from the sun’s UV rays.
And last, but not least, when you wash your hair, you should start shampooing your hair from the roots and work your way to the ends.
Then when conditioning, work from the ends up into the roots. Many find that using this routine will help your hair dye’s richness last for longer.
Hair Dye Horror
What if the very worst happens, and you hate the color that you end up with after your treatment? Well, you’ll be pleased to know that even with permanent hair dye, there are a couple of hacks you can do to help remove the pigment you don’t like.
What if the very worst happens, and you hate the color that you end up with after your treatment?
The first way is to use vitamin C tablets crushed into a powder and combined with hot water, working it until it becomes a paste. Apply the vitamin C mask to your hair, being careful that it has cooled down so won’t burn your scalp. Cover you hair with a shower cap and rinse out after one hour.
The other hack for removing permanent hair dye at home is to combine white vinegar with hot water. Soak your hair in the liquid, then pile it on top of your head and cover it with a shower cap. You can then do a final rinse after 15 minutes have passed.
The acidic nature of the vitamin C and the vinegar will work to extract the pigment from your hair’s cuticles and should do the job well without any further damage to your scalp, which may be sensitive after using the hair dye.
You can also use the savior of many a bad dye job:
- Color Oops Regular hair color Remover...
- Safe and easy
- Ammonia free/bleach free
- Conditions during process to protect...
Still, if your hair horror hasn’t been alleviated by doing the above, then it is best to book an appointment with your local professional colorist. They will have both the experience and the right products to bring your hair back from the brink.
If your hair horror hasn’t been alleviated by doing the above, then it is best to book an appointment with your local professional colorist. They will have both the experience and the right products to bring your hair back from the brink.
Ride or Dye
If you like the idea of getting crazy with hair color, then it is possible to be creative while still doing good for your tresses. But before you commit to a specific type of dye, you should be aware of how long it will last. Now that you’ve got that information, you’re ready to rock the color you’re dreaming of!
