After coloring, wait a full 72 hours before shampooing. It takes up to three days for your hair cuticle to fully close. If you shampoo too soon, you risk washing your color down the drain.
“Instead, rinse with cold or lukewarm water, as it will help seal up the cuticle and lock in your fresh color,” says Cleveland.
My color seemed to lock in and last longer. It turns out there's a reason for this. ``It can take approximately 72 hours for the cuticle layer to close and trap in the hair dye,'' says Y. Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist at Union Square Laser Dermatology.
When dyeing hair, the cuticle layer opens up, which allows the color to penetrate the hair shaft. It can take up to 3 days for the cuticle layer to close, so if you wash your hair a day or two after coloring, you are likely washing out a lot of color right out of your still-open hair cuticles and down the drain.
After dyeing your hair, it's generally recommended to wait at least 48 to 72 hours before washing it. This allows the hair cuticle to fully close and helps the color set better, resulting in longer-lasting color. However, if you used a semi-permanent dye, waiting 24 hours may be sufficient.
The best thing to do is to avoid shampooing directly after dyeing your hair. Instead, rinse with cold or lukewarm water to avoid washing the color away.
The hair has less slip to it and more friction is created, upping the likelihood of it becoming knotted. To that point, using products with drying ingredients and/or getting chemical treatments that can damage the hair (bleaching, straightening) can ultimately contribute to your hair tangling easily.
Rinse With Cold Water
“Hot water fades color faster, especially if you have a vivid color,” says Ellis. Washing your hair with cool or cold water can help minimize fading, but it also helps seal the cuticle and retains more moisture on your scalp, strands, and skin.
Normally, cuticles that have seen better days will heal on their own in about a week or two. In severe cases, it could take months to treat damaged cuticles (and you'll have to consult your doctor in such instances). But there are daily habits that will help fix gross cuticles so they don't get worse.
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.
Cold air helps to seal in your hair cuticle structure, which is the outermost layer of your hair shaft. By doing so, it protects your hair from splitting and keeps your hair looking healthy and fresh.
Due to the acidic properties of vinegar, when emulsified into the hair after a color treatment or shampoo, apple cider vinegar can close the surface of those cuticles after water and a color treatment's pH levels—which are typically alkaline—have opened them up.
Conclusion. Schueller says that the pH range while shampooing is not high enough to open the cuticle, and even though most of the shampoos that we use in our regimens are not labeled with pH level, most cleansing products are not alkaline.
It is generally advisable to wait 48 hours after coloring your hair before applying oil treatments. This allows the hair cuticles to close properly and helps maintain the longevity of the color.
After coloring, wait a full 72 hours before shampooing.
It takes up to three days for your hair cuticle to fully close.
Water at cooler temps seal the cuticle, so that it can hold the color longer. Hot water, on the other hand, can open up the cuticle and create an opportunity for some pigment to slip.
What ingredients should you avoid if you have color-treated hair? The most important part of caring for color-treated hair involves avoiding the following ingredients, as shared by pro colorist Richy Kandasamy: sulfates (SLS or SLES), parabens, sodium chloride, and petrochemicals.
Your best bet is to invest in sulfate-free hair care products, like Ever Pure Shampoo and Conditioner. It will allow you to cleanse your hair and remove grime and excess oil without stripping away the color from your hair. At all costs, stay away from clarifying shampoos.
According to research, coconut oil, almond oil and olive oil were all top performers when it came to flattening and sealing the hair cuticle for increased shine and strength. Hair with higher porosity favors heavier oils like olive and coconut oil to help seal in moisture.
Heat opens up the cuticle, much in the same way ammonia does chemically. This is why some hair dyes will suggest covering your head or applying heat while the color sets. The extra heat, whether from your own head or an external source like a blow dryer or steamer, optimizes the dye's processing for stronger results.
Acidic shampoos, which contain citric, lactic, or phosphoric acid, help close the hair cuticle and maintain a pH balance between 4.5 to 5.5. These shampoos enhance shine and reduce frizz, promoting healthier-looking hair.
In general, you'll want to wait about 24 to 48 hours after dyeing your hair to wash it.