Do you love the look of bright colors in your hair? Have you ever had a hair dye failure and needed to fix the situation as soon as possible? Whatever your reason for making this change, keep in mind that there is a limit to the number of times you can dye your hair.
Tips for dyeing hair
Excessive dyeing can turn it into a frizzy mess, or even cause it to fall out.
But where is the line between beautiful hair color and a failed dyeing procedure? As it turns out, it varies from person to person, and here’s how to choose what’s best for your hair.
What are the types of hair dyes?
First, let us learn about the types of hair dyes, according to the Loreal Paris website.
Temporary hair dye
Temporary hair dye, known as a hair color wash, only covers the outer part of the hair shaft, so the results are not last.
This means that when you shampoo your hair, the new color will fade and your hair will return to its natural color, leaving you room to try a new hair color without a huge commitment.
Semi-permanent hair dye
If you want to extend this temporary look a little longer, a semi-permanent hair color will do the trick.
These dyes are generally not made with ammonia, do not require any chemicals, and best of all, the semi-permanent color generally lasts for about 8 washes.
For these reasons, at-home semi-permanent dye can be a great option to cover gray hair when you know you can’t get to the salon right away.
Related: How to Remove Hair Dye from Skin
Permanent hair dye
If you are looking to stick with one hair color for some time, permanent hair dye is the right choice for you.
This dye requires more complex chemical treatment and will penetrate your hair more deeply, meaning your hair color can last for weeks or months with no visible signs of fading.
Hair bleaching
If you have naturally dark brown hair, you will need a hair color bleach to lighten your hair before dyeing it lighter or going completely blonde.
How many times can you dye your hair?
The general rule: You must wait at least 4 to 8 weeks between each dye, but this period has many reservations.
According to hair dye specialist Sherine Choi, it depends on your hair type, the dyeing process you will perform, and the look you want to achieve.
She added, according to the American website Greatist: “The degree of hair’s tolerance to dye varies according to its type. Thick hair, for example, usually tolerates more effort compared to thin or curly hair.”
How long should you wait before changing permanent hair dyes?
Permanent dye is one of the harshest dyes on hair. It contains chemicals that remove color from your hair strands, in addition to dyes that change your current hair color.
These dyes are made from a mixture of chemicals, such as ammonia and hydrogen peroxide, which create a chemical reaction known as oxidation, according to the Redken website, which specializes in selling hair products.
Through the process of oxidation, the molecules of permanent hair dye become complex and embedded well into the structure of the hair fiber, and the result is what we know as permanent hair dye.
Therefore, if you want to use permanent dye again, it is better to wait a few months to prevent further damage to your hair and to use it only to dye the roots.
How long should you wait before applying semi-permanent dye?
Semi-permanent hair dyes are much less harsh on the hair compared to permanent dyes.
If you are afraid to stick to one color, then you do not have to worry, as they do not last forever. Some of them last up to 30 washes, but the common thing is that they last approximately 8 washes.
Although ammonia is not included in their composition, these dyes may contain a small amount of peroxide to activate the outer layer of the hair strands so that the color adheres to them.
Depending on the condition of your hair, you will be able to re-dye it every few weeks to a month; Or every 4 to 10 washes.
How often can you bleach your hair?
Bleach essentially contains hydrogen peroxide, which “activates” your base hair color and changes it to a lighter shade.
Since it strips the hair follicles, it makes the strands weak and prone to dryness, unless taken care of properly.
Although bleaching can be harsh on the hair, you can book a touch-up appointment as soon as your hair grows back, and in the meantime we recommend that you avoid using heat to style your hair as much as possible.
The best tips for taking care of dyed hair and making it last longer
Do you like your new hair color? So here are the 7 commandments that you must adhere to, according to Loreal Paris :
1. Wash your hair less often
The more you wash your hair, the faster the color will fade, it’s really that simple. The best way to take care of your color is to wash it 2 or 3 times a week, then absorb the oil from those roots with dry shampoo when needed.
2. Go directly to the conditioner
If you have the habit of bathing daily and you cannot get rid of it, we advise you to use only conditioner between each bath, because it will add softness, shine, nourishment and care.
3. Choose the appropriate shampoo
There’s a reason why color-protecting shampoos were invented, while some regular shampoos can wash out color and speed up color fading.
4. Use hair moisturizers
When you color your hair, it becomes more fragile, and this helps the color fade faster, thus fading occurs.
So use oils, butter, polymers and other moisturizing agents that often help form a protective barrier and prevent your old hair color from showing through.
5. Protect it from heat
You should also protect your hair from heat, especially the scorching rays of the sun during the summer, in addition to reducing the duration of using a hair dryer.
6. Swim smart
If you are one of the women who frequently go to swimming pools, you should be careful of the chlorine in the water, as it helps fade the color of your dye quickly.
We advise you to apply a layer of conditioner to your hair and style it in a “bun” shape to form a protective barrier against chemicals.
7. Take supplements
Hair health starts from the inside, so make sure to follow a diet rich in supplements such as fish that contain Omega-3, and walnuts that contain Vitamin E.
Bottom line: While the general rule is to wait 4 to 6 weeks between dye treatments, this period can vary greatly depending on hair type, type of dye used, and desired look, so talk to your hairdresser about your unique desires to come up with a schedule that works for you.
To maintain the health of your hair and color, reduce the use of heat, maintain the health of your scalp, and use products designed specifically for colored hair.
