Hair Color Fading After One Week? What Could Be Wrong: Guide
Introduction to the topic
It’s imperative that you examine the dye you’re using if it’s fading too quickly.
If so, what kind of dye did you use?
Because fantasy dyes only last four to five washes, you shouldn’t expect it to last more than a week after you use it.
In the case of semi-permanent dye, two weeks is also typical.
In addition to the dye you used, consider how you handled your hair after you dyed it.
If you take care of your hair, the dye will last longer – even if you use a different dye than the one you originally applied. That’s all there is to it.
As you can see, hair coloring isn’t an exact science. Your hair care routine, the type of dye you use, and even the brand can affect how long a dye lasts.
Why does my hair color fade after one week?
Following might be the reasons of your hair color fading:
1. Constantly rinsing your hair
Over-washing is the primary cause of color fading, according to Benjamin NYC colorist Pamella Gonzalez. The Rita Hazan Salon’s Maddison Cave, a hair colorist, says this is because the chemicals in hair dye make our hair more susceptible to moisture.
When it comes to washing your hair, try washing every other day or even every three days if you don’t get oily,” she says, recommending using dry shampoo to keep it feeling clean between washes, as well. Gonzalez suggests using a cowash shampoo with little to no detergents if you find yourself washing your hair frequently.
2. Using a harsh shampoo
Celebrity hairstylist and owner of the Beverly Hills salon Nelson j Natural Salon, Nelson Chan, says that sulfates and salts in shampoos and conditioners can damage colored hair. Sulfate-free and color-safe shampoos are the answer, he explains. Clarifying formulas are another no-no for colored hair. Avoid shampoos and scalp treatments that claim to “clarify” or “detoxify” your hair because they can remove your color, says celebrity hairstylist and founder of The Beachwaver Co. Sarah Potempa.
Those with colored hair should also be wary of products that claim to add volume, says Harty. When the cuticle is opened, “the color fades,” the man says. “Shampoos and styling products are no exception. Sodium sulfate-free is always the best.”
3. Using shampoos that remove color from the hair
Choosing a good shampoo is important when it comes to hair care. It’s tempting to grab a bottle from your local pharmacy, but you might want to reconsider. Sulfates, the “cleaning” ingredient, are found in the majority of commercial shampoos.
Even though sulfates remove dirt and oil from our hair, they can sometimes remove too much, including the color we’ve applied to our hair. Not to mention that sulfates can irritate the scalp, which can lead to additional hair problems.
When buying shampoo, look for bottles marked “gentle” or “color safe.” These will help to keep hair color from fading too quickly. Make sure there are no traces of “sodium laureth sulfate” or “ammonium laureth sulfate” in the ingredient list to ensure the product is sulfate-free.
4. Heat styling tools without protective equipment
The most common cause of hair damage is the use of heat styling tools. The natural moisture in your hair turns to steam when heated, which is then trapped in the strands. “Hair bubbles” can weaken your hair as a result.
Because colored hair is already more prone to breakage, adding heat to the equation makes things even worse. Protect your hair styling tools by using a heat-protectant spray instead of sacrificing them. Before using your tools, spray the solution on your hair to protect it from the heat’s damaging effects.
5. Using chlorine as a disinfectant
Using a dry sponge rather than a wet sponge when soaking hair is the best way to go, says Andrew Carruthers, Sam Villa’s director of education. Is it possible to estimate how much chlorine a dry sponge can absorb compared to a wet sponge that has already been saturated?
To avoid having to skip your swim, Carruthers recommends rinsing the chlorine out of your hair as soon as it is dry to prevent it from bonding to the hair and becoming difficult to remove.
6. Using a hair dryer
Adding too much heat to the hair is a recipe for disaster, says celebrity hairstylist Lee Stafford. Let your hair air-dry a few days a week, or use styling tricks that don’t use heat, to reduce the amount of heat on your hair.” Kathy Debski, a colorist at SPACE by Alex Brown in Chicago, recommends lowering the temperature of your dryer if you must blow-dry.
7. Colored hair can be damaged by using hard water to wash it
Our hair is meant to benefit from water, not be harmed by it. Because of this, if you have hard water running through your pipes, you may be experiencing the second issue. Because of the high concentrations of calcium and magnesium in hard water, hair can become brittle.
In the same way that sulfates remove dyes and healthy oils, hard minerals can also do the same. What happened? Discolored and brittle hair. Hard water also causes buildup on the scalp, which can result in hair thinning and hair loss, to name a few side effects. If your hair color is fading too quickly, use a water softener to reduce the damaging effects of hard water. Water softeners like Culligan Water Softeners can help extend the life of your hair color.
You and your dyed hair both deserve the month-long life they’ve been promised. Rethink your styling tools, shampoos, and water so that you can get the most out of your dyed hair’s color benefits.
8. Not using spf
The sun can not only fade colors, but it can also expose the natural pigments that are still present, which are typically brassy and undesirable tones. “If you have a sunroof or are constantly outside, be sure to wear a hat,” warns Wahler.
“UVA/UVB rays from the sun can also burn your hair,” says Jim Markham, celebrity stylist and founder of ColorProof. The good news is that it’s simple to avoid this. According to Gonzalez, “Invest in products with SPF or just spray some sunscreen on your hair.”
9. Putting your faith in any printer toner
You should ask your hairdresser about the toner they’re using if you’re going to have your hair colored professionally because light/semi-permanent toner tends fade more quickly.
Oxidation of toner can occur in hot water or when exposed to the elements, such as sunlight. A purple shampoo can be used at home to maintain a cooler tone between salon visits,” says the author of this article.
10. Not paying enough attention to hair masks and other treatments
This is Ricardo Rojas’ take on the importance of nourishing your hair as soon as possible after it has been exposed to the sun or chlorine. “During the summer months, I like to apply a nourishing jasmine or coconut hair mask to my clients’ hair every three weeks.”
Stafford adds, “Without conditioner and treatments, hair color will fade long before your next salon appointment.
Sachajuan’s Intensive Hair Oil ($53), which is enriched with argan and sea buckthorn oil, is a great alternative if you don’t have the time for a mask (apply it to damp or dry hair and style as usual).
Ways to maintain the freshness of a temporary hair color
The following are my tried-and-true tips, confirmed by experts, for using bold temporary color to its fullest potential.
1. Shampoo your hair at least 72 hours after applying new color
I made a rookie mistake the first time I dyed my hair teal: I shampooed the next day. A celebrity engagement faded faster than my badass blue-green. I’ve learned a lot. I waited a few days before the first post-dye wash the second time around. I noticed that my color was more stable and lasted longer.
There’s a good reason for this. There can be a 72-hour delay in the cuticle layer’s closure and trapping in the hair dye,” according to a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist at Union Square Laser Dermatology Y. Claire Chang, M.D. According to salon owner and stylist Eva Scrivo, “if you wait at least 72 hours before washing your hair, you will notice a significant difference in the longevity of your color”.
I now wait at least three days—sometimes a full week—before washing my hair after a salon visit so that my bright shade of Pink Palazzo (by Aloxxi) has time to fully absorb before I shampoo.
2. Avoid frequent hair washing
It’s common sense that if you wash your hair frequently, you’ll lose more of your hair’s color. To remove excess oil, I use dry shampoo twice a week and wash my hair twice a week on average. It’s true that there are times when nothing beats a quick dip in the ocean.
If I’m desperate to wash my scalp in between shampoos, I’ll use a conditioner designed for color-treated hair because it’s kinder to the color than shampoo. In my opinion, the Pureology Hydrate Sheer Conditioner is my favorite. A vegan and silicone-free product is available Scrivo recommends avoiding silicone-based products because they can strip color-treated hair of its shine.
3. Use a cooler water to rinse your hair
Temperature is also a factor when it comes to water. Dr. Chang says that using extremely hot water can damage the hair’s outer cuticle and increase the hair’s porosity. What happened? Fresh hair color can easily be emitted from your open pores because they are so big and open.
Washing at a lower temperature keeps the colors vibrant longer. Because I enjoy the sensation of scalding hot water dripping on my head, this is the part of the procedure that I dread the most. Shampoo and condition my hair with lukewarm water in the sink before taking a hot shower in a shower cap in the middle of winter. However, in the summer, a tepid rinse is a welcome change of pace.
4. Use a product that deposits color on the skin
Using a color-depositing product is one of my go-to tricks for extending the time between salon visits. Many DIY, budget-friendly options exist for reviving your hair’s color, from root concealers like Rita Hazan’s Root Concealer Touch-Up Spray Temporary Gray Coverage to color boosting conditioners like Overtone.
5. Avoid hair straightening with heat tools
Because it takes so long and I’m lazy, I rarely blow dry my hair. My laziness, on the other hand, serves a purpose in terms of extending the life of my hair color. “Heat styling also opens the cuticle of the hair, allowing color to fade,” says Scrivo, a hairstylist. In retrospect, it appears I’ve been protecting my Pink Palazzo all along.
As Maya Angelou said to Oprah, “When you know better, you do better,” I need to use a heat protectant product because I can’t avoid heat styling (I’m a sucker for a good wand and waves galore). Try Tresemme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Spray if you’d like. More than 400 Ulta customers have given it a rating of four or more stars, and it costs just $5.49.
6. Pick the best shampoo for your hair type
There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all shampoo! Before you have a chance to rinse the suds from your eyes, a harsh shampoo can remove your hair’s color. Sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners are gentle enough for color-treated hair. Sulfates can help your shampoo lather, but they can also strip your hair of its color. They aren’t worth the time or effort. Look for products that are gentle, color safe, and free of sulfates.
7. Avoid exposing your hair to the sun as much as possible
The sun is not your friend, even if you enjoy your summertime highlights, if you’re a fuchsia hair freak like me. To keep my skin in good condition, I’ve turned into something of a vampire since turning 30.
However, even our hair can be damaged by the sun. Toxic UVA and UVB rays can degrade the pigment in your hair and cause it to dry out, which can lead to discoloration and breakage, according to dermatologist Dr Chang.
How to keep fantasy color for more than a week?
Fantasy dyes don’t contain peroxide or ammonia, as I previously explained, which is why the color fades slightly with each wash.
Fantasy colors are ideal if you want to change your hair color frequently because you don’t have to use harsh chemicals like bleaching.
However, what if you’ve found a tone you like and want it to last for a longer period of time?
For fantasy dye to last more than a week, you need to do the following:
Avoid washing your hair as frequently as possible because the more frequently you do so, the more quickly your hair will lose its color.
Using the same color shampoo as your dye, wash your hair. Take advantage of companies specializing in fantasy dyes to your advantage.
Watch 5 Don’ts after hair color | Video
Top 5 FAQs and answers related to Hair color fading after one week
What’s up with the rapid fading of my hair color?
What’s wrong with my hair?
Newly dyed hair fades in how long?
What gave my red hair such a quick fade?
What can I do to extend the life of my hair color?
Incorporate a pre-shampoo treatment into your routine.
Choose a shampoo that’s right for your hair type….
Tone down your blonde (or silver) hair…!
Take advantage of a deep conditioner.
Consider purchasing a home touch-up kit.
Use only a few styling tools at a time.
Conclusion
There are many other things we can do to keep the color in our hair from fading. It’s easy to follow my hair color preserving tips above, and they won’t break the bank.
Even so, I’m always looking for the best hair-coloring advice—like avoiding products containing alcohol, installing a shower-filter water purification system and rinsing with cold water or club soda.
