For best results, we recommend washing your hair with a clarifying shampoo 24 hours before dyeing, but no sooner.
It's generally recommended to use box dye on clean, dry hair. This ensures oils, products, or dirt do not interfere. Washing hair 24 to 48 hours before dyeing is ideal. This allows the scalp to produce natural oils. Natural oils help protect it during the dyeing process.
It's recommended to use box dye on clean, dry hair. This ensures oils, products, or dirt do not interfere. Washing hair 24 to 48 hours before dyeing is ideal. This allows the scalp to produce natural oils. These oils protect it during dyeing. However, avoid washing hair immediately before dyeing.
In general, it's recommended to wash your hair a day or two before your dye session rather than immediately before it. Skipping a day allows for oils to build up on your scalp, which, in turn, helps protect against irritation that can be caused by hair dye.
It is almost always a good idea to wash your hair before going to the salon. If you cannot do it the morning of the appointment, the night before. This will give your hairstylist a clean slate so the color is fully absorbed, and highlights can fully lift.
Additionally, it's also a matter of courtesy; clean hair is usually more pleasant for stylists to work with. However, if you're going for a haircut, a little natural oil in your hair is acceptable, as it can help the stylist understand your hair's natural texture and style.
As mentioned, your hair type can play a role, too. Those with oily hair may only need to wait one day between their last shampoo and next dye job. People with dry hair, meanwhile, may need 2-3 days in between to allow enough oil to build up.
For best results, we recommend washing your hair with a clarifying shampoo 24 hours before dyeing, but no sooner. You can use your normal conditioner, but we'd advise against using a deep conditioner before dyeing your hair due to potential product build-up.
Avoid Washing for 48 Hours
“If you wash it before then, there's a chance the color will fade,” Renegar warns. It also goes without saying that you should avoid getting hair wet in hot tubs or pools, which is even worse!
If your hair is healthy, meaning it's not fragile and damaged, technically, you can dye it when wet. However, we recommend coloring hair when dry so you achieve a look that aligns with your desired results.
Stylists advise that bleach does not need to go on clean hair, and that it's actually healthier for your hair to be a little oily when you bleach.
If you lather your strands with shampoo immediately after a color service, it may take a toll on the vibrancy of your hue. That's why VanDyke recommends giving your hair a bit of a post-salon breather. “I generally tell my clients to wait 48 hours before they wash their hair,” VanDyke says.
For this reason, we recommend coming with clean hair that was washed either the night before or morning of to allow your scalp to have some natural oils, but not be dirty. A good rule of thumb is washing 12-24 hours prior to a hair color visit.
A semi-permanent color generally fades over time, usually after four to twelve washes. However, it is unlikely that the color will completely wash out, especially if you have used a darker shade. If your hair has been dyed for a long time or if it is porous, some color pigments may remain.
Post-color washing is essential for maintaining the structural integrity of your hair. By cleansing and conditioning, salons help in closing the hair cuticles, locking in moisture, and preserving the smoothness of your locks.
Is it better to dye clean or dirty hair? While most hair color tips recommend dyeing your hair when it's dirty, salon pros say there's no real difference in the results.
Note that while you can wash your hair the same day you dye it, you don't have to lather up immediately prior to hitting the salon.
Don't shampoo immediately before dyeing your hair. Why? Because 1-2 days unwashed hair has a protective barrier on the scalp - it means there's less chance of any irritation and color pigment is better deposited. Also, just before dyeing, avoid using styling products (dry shampoo, hair spray, gels etc.).
If your hair is brown, you may need to bleach it more than once before you apply the grey dye. It's important you get your hair as light as possible before you attempt to turn it grey – this will help ensure a more even tone and vibrant, all-over colour.
Why Shouldn't I Condition My Hair Before Coloring It? Conditioning the hair just before coloring can leave a residue on the hair shaft that may interfere with the dye's ability to penetrate and bind to the hair. This could result in uneven color or the color washing out more quickly.
Is 24 hours enough for a hair dye patch test? No, to be safe always leave your patch test on for 48 hours.