Should You Wash Your Hair Before Coloring? As it turns out, most hair dyes are designed to work better on hair that is not freshly washed. Skipping a wash allows for oils to build up on your scalp, which in turn helps protect against irritation that can be caused by hair dye.
Take note that neither dirty hair nor freshly-washed hair is good for coloring. Shampoo your hair 1-2 days before your color service to let natural oils work their way to your hair. This will create a shield between your scalp and the harmful chemicals in hair dyes to prevent burning and itching.
While stylists generally recommend skipping a few washes a week to achieve healthier hair, you might need to scrub it prior to your colorist appointment so your stylist can get an accurate look at your hair's natural color and texture. The same applies for darker tones.
"After you dye your hair, don't wash it for at least two days because the hair is still sensitive and therefore will be more like to fade faster," says Sergio Pattirane, a hairstylist at Rob Peetoom in New York City. "We recommend waiting to wash it so that the color stay fresh and longer."
Yes, you can! Believe it or not, greasy hair can benefit your tresses during the bleach and color process. The sebum or natural oils keep the hair healthy and moisturized and shield it from external damage caused by harsh chemicals.
How Long After Washing Should You Dye Hair? Generally, you should wait 48 hours after washing your hair before dyeing it. After 48 hours, your natural oils will have increased enough to protect your scalp and hair during the dyeing process.
Myth #2: Hair color adheres better to clean, freshly washed hair. When the hair color does not need to eat through product build-up, dirt and oil, the color takes to the hair strand faster and more effectively.
Don't worry about any styling products that are left in your hair--they won't affect the coloring process. If you do wash the day of, lather up with a gentle formula; strong detergents can irritate your scalp. Mix that with the chemicals in dye and you could end up with itching and burning.
Wet hair — especially if it's already dry or damaged — will absorb water before you even apply the dye, meaning it won't absorb into hair cuticles as well. Instead, the color will be more diluted or subtle, sitting more on top of your hair.
Use a wide-tooth comb to distribute dye through each section of hair. After you've applied dye to one section of hair, comb through it using a wide-tooth comb. This will make sure all your hair is coated with dye, and evens out the amount of dye.
"A good thing to do the day before coloring is to use a clarifying shampoo to remove any product buildup, and to help even the hair's porosity so color takes evenly," says White. "You should follow that with a deep conditioner to replace any moisture that may be lost during coloring."
Semi-permanent colors don't have ammonia, so wet hair is needed since the hair's shaft is open and better able to soak up color. You're urged to use permanent dyes on dry hair because the oils in your hair are supposed to protect your hair, but they can also keep your hair from accepting color.
You don't need to apply color to dirty hair:
The only time in which an oily scalp may be a good idea is when you're very sensitive to color applied directly on the scalp. In this case, don't wash your hair (that agitates the scalp) or exercise (sweating/opening pores) the day you get color.
When it's time to wash out your dry shampoo, do so a day or two before having your hair dyed. This gives your scalp a chance to create a healthy layer of sebum oil to coat your skin and protect it from the harsher chemicals in your dye.
Avoid Shampooing
As with the skin on your face, your scalp's natural oils work to protect your strands as well as your skin. You should avoid cleansing your hair for 24 to 48 hours before home hair coloring, as shampooing can strip away some of these healthy oils.
Not only can it compromise hair health and condition, but box dye also often has unpredictable results. This, paired with the fact that those who are untrained don't have the knowledge when it comes to choosing colours, processing times and application, can lead to the need for a big colour correction job.
In case you do leave hair dye on your hair for too long rather than rinsing it at the recommended time, you could end up with a hair color that is much darker than the color you were hoping for. Even worse, your hair might end up brittle, over-processed and unnatural looking.
Should I wash my hair before balayage? No, you should not wash your hair before a balayage treatment. You want to allow some natural oils to build up on your scalp and hair before the appointment. The oils soothe, moisturize, and protect your scalp.
It is a common myth that you shouldn't wash your hair before dyeing it as dirty hair grabs color faster. Hair stylists actually recommend that you wash your hair 1-2 days before coloring it.
Many assume since you'll be getting the lather, rinse, and repeat prior to getting your hair done, that it's fine to roll in with dirty strands, but this actually makes the consultation process harder, says hairstylist Mirna Jose.
Should i wash my hair before bleaching? It is best to avoid washing your locks just before bleaching as washing strips your hair's natural oils that protect your scalp, increasing the likelihood of scalp irritation.
Don't worry about any styling products that are left in your hair--they won't affect the coloring process. If you do wash the day of, lather up with a gentle formula; strong detergents can irritate your scalp. Mix that with the chemicals in dye and you could end up with itching and burning.
"After having your hair colored, wait a full 72 hours before shampooing," says Eva Scrivo, a hairstylist in New York City. "It takes up to three days for the cuticle layer to fully close, which traps the color molecule, allowing for longer lasting hair color."