Shampooing the day after you dye your hair.
"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."
"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."
Myth 4: It's OK to Wash Your Hair Right After a Color Treatment. Truth: You should wait at least a full 72 hours before washing your hair after coloring. Why? That's how long it takes for the hair cuticles to fully close, which traps in the color.
So, you've just dyed your hair and are wondering if dry shampoo will work? Rest assured that yes! It can be used on freshly coloured locks. Some people find that washing their hair too much can damage the integrity of the hair colour.
Shampoo 24 to 48 Hours Before Coloring Your Hair
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.
The bottom line. You can dye your hair while it's wet, but the color might be less vibrant, it might not last as long, and it might be a little more uneven than it would be if you colored it while it was dry.
Take a section. If you're dyeing your whole head, and it doesn't already contain any colourant, dye the mid-length and ends of your hair first – hair at the roots will take colour much quicker, so leaving that until last will give your final style a more even colour.
Do not rush unnecessarily when rinsing the freshly dyed hair. Rinse your hair until the water runs clear. If the water is even slightly colored, continue rinsing. Then apply shampoo and conditioner.
Most hair dyes are formulated to work best on hair that isn't freshly washed, so it's best to skip the shampoo directly before your coloring session. Instead, clean your hair the day before with then simply wet your hair with lukewarm water beforehand if you plan to dye it wet.
#1: Thou Shalt NOT Shampoo
A good rule of thumb is to shampoo your hair at least 24 to 48 hours before your coloring session, unless otherwise directed. The idea is that you want there to be a natural protective oil layer on your scalp to act as a barrier against the chemicals in the hair dye.
Leo Izquierdo, cofounder and colorist at New York's IGK Salon, agrees, adding that hot water will lift the outer layer of hair color and cause color to fade. “Instead, rinse with cold or lukewarm water, as it will help seal up the cuticle and lock in your fresh color,” says Cleveland.