Download ArticleA complete guide to caring for your hair after coloring it
Download ArticleX
This article was co-authored by Gina Almona and by How.com.vn staff writer, Mason Martinez, BA. Gina Almona is the Owner of Blo It Out, a New York City-based hair salon. With over 20 years of beauty training experience, Gina's work has been featured in People Magazine, Time Out New York, and Queens Scene. She has been able to keep a fresh perspective in the industry by demonstrating and participating in trade shows and workshops like the International Beauty Show. She received her cosmetology training from the Long Island Beauty School, Astoria.
There are 20 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.
This article has been viewed 752,411 times.
You finally got the color you want—but now the texture of your hair feels more like straw. When you dye your hair, the chemicals damage, dry it out, and weaken it. That's why we're here to explain everything you need to know about washing, conditioning, softening, and caring for your hair after coloring it so it looks and feels amazing.
Steps
Section 1 of 4:
How to Condition Your Hair After Dyeing
Download Article
Condition your hair right after dyeing. Usually, a packet of conditioner comes with the dye product. If there's not, use your usual conditioner, leave it in for at least three minutes, then rinse with cool water.[1]- If you had your dye job done professionally, consider booking a conditioning treatment afterward.
Opt for high-quality sulfate-free conditioner. Use products designed to repair damaged or colored hair that are sulfate-free and have added oils for nourishment.[2] Similarly, avoid products with parabens and formaldehyde, as these ingredients strip away color and leave your hair dry and brittle.[3]- Avoid products that include polyethylene glycols (PEG), triclosan, synthetic fragrances and colors, dimethicone, and retinyl palmitate, as well.[4]
Advertisement
Apply a deep conditioning treatment once a week. In addition to your regular conditioning routine, use a deep conditioner once a week. If you get oily roots, rub the conditioner just into the tips of your hair. After a few minutes, rinse it out.[5]- Some conditioners are leave-in. If this is the case with yours, dab or spray it on when your hair is damp from the shower.
Make an egg hair mask to promote hair growth. Making an egg mask is easy to strengthen and keep your hair from breaking. Eggs contain protein, lecithin, and biotin, which are vital for healthy hair growth.[6] Mix 2 eggs with 1 US tbsp (3.0 tsp) of coconut or olive oil. Apply liberally and leave it in your hair for 30 minutes. Wash thoroughly with cool water and let it air dry.[7]- Alternatively, take 1⁄2 c (8.0 US tbsp) of yogurt, 2 tablespoons (29.6 ml) of almond oil, and 2 beaten eggs to form a creamy mixture. Apply to the length of your hair, and leave it for 30 minutes. Condition as normal.
- Use unflavored mayo as a substitute for oil to moisturize your hair. Be sure to rinse it out throughly with cold water.
- Try biotin supplements if eggs aren’t your thing.[8]
Apply 2 US tbsp (30 mL) of coconut oil to your hair. The vitamins and fatty acids in coconut oil helps keep the scalp and hair cuticles soft.[9] Heat 2 US tbsp (30 mL) of coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl and melt until it’s liquified.[10] Allow it to cool so you can touch it. Apply it thoroughly to your hair, and leave it in for at least 4 to 5 hours or overnight in a shower cap. Rinse thoroughly with cold water.- Alternatively, you can substitute coconut oil with olive, castor, or almond oil. Add a few drops of sweet-smelling essential oils if you’d like.
- Add 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of honey to the mixture to soften your hair. Honey works well with olive oil.[11]
- You do not have to apply oil hot. It can be applied as is.
Make an avocado and banana hair mask to hydrate your hair. Add ½ an avocado, ½ a banana, 1 large egg, and 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of olive oil in a bowl to create a nice hair treatment. Mash all of the ingredients together with a fork or whisk. Apply the mixture to your hair and let it sit for 20 minutes. Rinse with cool water.[12]- Bananas help strengthen your hair, while avocado makes it soft and shiny.
Use an apple cider vinegar and water mixture to add shine. Combine 1⁄2 US tbsp (7.4 mL) of apple cider vinegar and 8 fl oz (240 mL) of water. Rinse your hair thoroughly with the mixture, leave it in for 15 minutes, and wash out. Then, continue your routine as normal.[13]- Less of a moisturizer and more of a restoring agent, apple cider vinegar is a home remedy for many problems. It can restore the pH of your hair while stripping away any synthetic products to keep it frizz-free and smooth.
Advertisement
Section 3 of 4:
How to Care for Dyed Hair
Download Article
Shampoo your hair the day before you color it. Before your next dye job, take proactive measures to ensure your hair stays smooth. For starters, wash your hair the day before or the day off to remove oils and products that prevent the color from adhering properly. Similarly, avoid scrubbing your scalp to avoid skin irritation.[15]
Rinse your hair with cold water at the end of your shower. While hot showers feel great, hot water can fade your color. It opens up the cuticles of your hair, rinsing your color out while shampooing and conditioning. Instead, opt for warm water to start with and seal in your conditioner’s moisture with cold water when you rinse.[16]
Wash your hair only when it’s really dirty. Washing your hair every day can actually dry it out, so if you can avoid it for a few days, do so. After all, that’s what the ponytail is for! When you shower, throw your hair up and put it in a cap to keep it out of your way. Just because you don’t wash your hair doesn’t mean you’re not showering![17]- Everyone has different needs. Some of people wash their hair every two days, while others can get away with it once a week. Look at your roots: if they’re oily, wash ‘em. If not, bask in the extra time you have to get ready in the morning!
- If you feel like you need to do something to your hair when you shower, on days you don't wash, rinse, and condition.
Opt for semi-permanent hair dye, which is less damaging. If you have dark hair and want a pastel or lighter look, you’ll have to bleach your hair. Bleach lightens your hair by raising the hair cuticle to remove the color.[18] It can cause your hair to become stringy or feel like straw, which is why conditioning is so important. Similarly, semi-permanent or temporary dyes are less damaging to your hair and last up to 6 weeks before needing to be reapplied.- While semi-permanent dyes are less damaging, they’ll need to be applied more often if you want to maintain your color. Over time, this can damage your hair. So, if you want a specific color for longer, opt for permanent dyes.
- Permanent dyes last much longer but the ingredients necessary (oxidizers and ammonia) are more damaging to your hair.
- Ammonia-free dyes replace the ammonia of permanent dyes with a less damaging compound. However, using too much of this product can still damage your hair, similar to permanent dyes.
Refrain from using heated styling tools whenever possible. Heated tools will only further dry and damage your hair. It'll be a sacrifice, but it can be done. Ponytails, headbands—that frizz can be hidden. Think of it as a short-term solution for a long-term problem. So ditch the iron and go natural a few days a week. You should see improvements in a few weeks unless your hair is seriously damaged.[19]- You can also opt for heatless curlers if you’re looking to add some volume and definition to your hair.
- If you're in a tight spot, try turning the heat down on your curling iron or straightener and avoid styling the same hair more than once so it can rest.
- Spritz a generous amount of heat protectant spray when applying heat to your hair to prevent damage.
Get your hair trimmed every 6 to 8 weeks. Your hair's ends take the most damage from hair dye; the best way to solve this problem is by getting it trimmed. A trim can even help encourage hair growth.[20]
Eat a well-balanced diet for healthy hair. If your body doesn't have enough nutrients to go around, it's certainly not going to give any to your hair! So ensure you get your protein, zinc, iron, vitamins, and minerals. Your hair, skin, and nails will look better for it.[21]- Drinking lots of water helps, too. Like apple cider vinegar can cleanse your tresses, water cleanses your entire body. The more hydrated you are, the healthier you are as a whole.
Advertisement
Expert Q&A
Search
- QuestionCan I leave coconut oil in my hair overnight to soften it?
Ashleigh GroundsAshleigh Grounds is a Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist based in Austin, Texas. Ashleigh has over 11 years of cosmetology experience. She studied cosmetology in Dallas, Texas and completed a two-year hair salon apprenticeship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with Toni & Guy Hair Salon. She is accredited by the International Board of Cosmetology, is a certified Babe Hair Extension Professional, and is a certified Brazilian Blow Out Professional. Ashleigh was voted the best Hair Stylist in Austin for 2012 by RAW Artists and was voted in the top 20 salons for 2020 in Austin by Expertise. Ashleigh's work has been featured in Talentmagazines, BlogTalkRadio, KXAN, and Studio 512.
Makeup Artist & Hair StylistYes, you can put coconut oil in your hair and sleep with it overnight. The next day your hair will be softer, shinier, and less tangled. - QuestionHow long after you dye your hair can you wash it?
Laura MartinLaura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.
Licensed CosmetologistAfter the initial shampoo to remove the color, you should wait at least 48 hours before washing hair again. - QuestionCan you apply oil on colored hair?Laura MartinLaura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.
Licensed CosmetologistAbsolutely, you can apply warm or room-temperature oil as a treatment on color-treated hair, just rinse it with tepid water.
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
SubmitAdvertisement
Video
Tips
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
References
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/tips-healthy-hair
- ↑ Gina Almona. Professional Hair Stylist. Expert Interview. 12 February 2021.
- ↑ https://www.genesiscareer.edu/8-ingredients-to-avoid-in-your-shampoo-and-conditioner/
- ↑ https://www.genesiscareer.edu/8-ingredients-to-avoid-in-your-shampoo-and-conditioner/
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/tips-healthy-hair
- ↑ https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Biotin-HealthProfessional/
- ↑ https://www.saudereggs.com/blog/egg-hair-mask-ideas/
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/biotin-oral-route/proper-use/drg-20062359
- ↑ https://www.harpersbazaar.com/beauty/hair/a28874813/coconut-oil-hair-masks/
- ↑ Ashleigh Grounds. Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist. Expert Interview. 22 April 2020.
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9231528/
- ↑ https://florida-academy.edu/diy-hair-masks-treatments/
- ↑ https://health.unl.edu/apple-cider-vinegar-good-your-skin-and-hair
- ↑ https://theglamhouse.com/the-glam-house-blog/why-do-salons-wash-your-hair-after-coloring
- ↑ https://www.marieclaire.com/beauty/washing-hair-before-coloring/
- ↑ https://theeverygirl.com/how-to-maintain-color-treated-hair/
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/the-dirty-truth-about-washing-your-hair
- ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30229956/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3229938/
- ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/hair/a33448/haircuts-how-often-trim-hair/
- ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/topics/skin-and-hair
- ↑ https://avedafi.edu/blog/how-long-to-wait-before-coloring-hair-again
About This Article
Professional Hair Stylist
This article was co-authored by Gina Almona and by How.com.vn staff writer, Mason Martinez, BA. Gina Almona is the Owner of Blo It Out, a New York City-based hair salon. With over 20 years of beauty training experience, Gina's work has been featured in People Magazine, Time Out New York, and Queens Scene. She has been able to keep a fresh perspective in the industry by demonstrating and participating in trade shows and workshops like the International Beauty Show. She received her cosmetology training from the Long Island Beauty School, Astoria. This article has been viewed 752,411 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 29
Updated: April 8, 2024
Views: 752,411
Categories: Keeping Hair Healthy
Article SummaryX
To soften hair after dyeing, mix a teaspoon of oil with mashed avocado and banana and apply it to your hair for 30-60 minutes. You can also slather on honey, let it sit for 30 minutes, and rinse it out. To hydrate and strengthen you hair, mix eggs with honey and coconut oil. Apply this mixture to your hair and allow it to sit for 30 minutes before washing. To restore the pH balance of your hair and strip away any synthetic products, douse your hair with a vinegar and water solution. To learn how to maintain good hair condition, keep reading tips from our Beauty reviewer!
Did this summary help you?
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 752,411 times.
Reader Success Stories
"I have permed my hair and dyed it many times. I used to always use the wrong shampoo and conditioner, and always use a curling iron and a straightener. From reading this article I've found lots of ways to help my hair care. My hair feels like pieces of straw, and it's really hard to brush\comb. I hope by trying some of these solutions it will make my hair soft and healthy again."..." more
Did this article help you?
⚠️ Disclaimer:
Content from Wiki How English language website. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License; additional terms may apply.
Wiki How does not encourage the violation of any laws, and cannot be responsible for any violations of such laws, should you link to this domain, or use, reproduce, or republish the information contained herein.
- - A few of these subjects are frequently censored by educational, governmental, corporate, parental and other filtering schemes.
- - Some articles may contain names, images, artworks or descriptions of events that some cultures restrict access to
- - Please note: Wiki How does not give you opinion about the law, or advice about medical. If you need specific advice (for example, medical, legal, financial or risk management), please seek a professional who is licensed or knowledgeable in that area.
- - Readers should not judge the importance of topics based on their coverage on Wiki How, nor think a topic is important just because it is the subject of a Wiki article.
Advertisement
