How soon after dyeing hair can you wash it?

Author: Dr. Casper Brekke  |  Last update: Wednesday, April 16, 2025

It's generally recommended to wait at least 24-48 hours after dying your hair before washing it to ensure the color has properly set. Also, using a color-safe shampoo and conditioner can help maintain the vibrancy and longevity of your hair color.

Can I wash my hair 24 hours after dying it?

Wait Time: It's usually recommended to wait at least 24 to 48 hours after dyeing your hair before shampooing. This allows the dye to set properly and helps the color last longer. Type of Shampoo: When you do shampoo, consider using a sulfate-free shampoo, as sulfates can strip color and moisture from your hair.

How long should you let hair dye sit before washing?

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.

Can I wash my hair after 24 hours of dying?

“I generally tell my clients to wait 48 hours before they wash their hair,” VanDyke says. During the first 48 hours after a color service, the pigments of the salon color are still settling—meaning if you shampoo your hair too soon after an appointment, it can cause your hue to fade quicker.

Can I wash my hair the same day I'm getting it colored?

It's generally not recommended to wash your hair the same day you dye it. After dyeing, it's best to wait at least 24 to 48 hours before washing your hair. This allows the dye to set properly and helps achieve better color retention. Washing your hair too soon can strip away the dye and lead to uneven color.

How long should you wait to wash your hair after getting it dyed? Do you shampoo after dying hair?

Why do salons wash your hair after coloring?

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.

Does hair dye get lighter after washing?

Washing your hair frequently with hot water can also help speed up the fading process. Additionally, exposing your hair to sunlight can naturally lighten the dye.

How soon can I get my hair wet after dying it?

Put simply, your client should wait as long as they can before washing their freshly colored hair, as this allows the cuticles to fully close up and seal in their dream shade. For some, this could be 48 hours, while others may be able to hold on for up to one week.

How long should I wait to wash my hair?

How often should I wash my hair? As a general rule, most experts recommend washing your hair every two to three days, though this will, of course, vary depending on your hair type.

Why is my hair color fading after one week?

The brightness of your hair color is directly affected by how often you wash it. If you use shampoo too frequently, your dye might fade faster — so it's best to wash only two or three times per week and use dry shampoo in between washes.

How long should I wait to wash my hair after dying it on Reddit?

As long as you can possibly wait would be best, but at least two days.

Why do my roots show after 1 week?

It could be that your hair is resistant to tint, especially when the hair texture has changed as a result of going white. But also it could be that by going lighter, either all over, or by introducing (subtle) highlights you would not see the regrowth strip quite as quickly as if it were lighter.

What happens if you put grey hair dye on brown hair?

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.

How long can you leave hair dye in before washing it out?

We often get the question: how long do you have to let the hair dye sit before rinsing it out? The answer is, you always have to let the dye sit for at least 35 minutes from the moment you've finished applying all of the dye. After 45 minutes the dye loses it's effect so it's no use letting it sit any longer.

How long does it take for hair cuticle to close after coloring?

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.

Does water fade hair dye?

Water fades hair colour. In fact, up to 80% of colour fade is due to water alone. Your hair absorbs water, and as your hair dries, the dye drains out with the water. Not only that, tap water contains a myriad of chemicals that interfere with the way your hair takes on and keeps colour.

Can I shampoo my hair after dying it?

It's generally recommended to wait at least 24-48 hours after dying your hair before washing it to ensure the color has properly set. Also, using a color-safe shampoo and conditioner can help maintain the vibrancy and longevity of your hair color.

What is the no poo method?

The no-poo (or “no shampoo”) method is a hair-cleansing technique that removes shampoo from the equation, says Yadav. Instead of using shampoo, followers of the practice use alternatives such as apple cider vinegar, a cleansing conditioner, or just plain water.

How often should you wash your hair if it's thinning?

For people with thinning hair, however, frequently washing your hair maintains a healthy scalp. "When you are going through hair loss and you have thinning hair, it is recommended that you wash every single day and or every other third day," Buechner explained.

What happens if I wash my hair 24 hours after highlights?

Doing so can cause the color to fade prematurely as the cuticles may not have fully closed yet. It's best to wait at least 48 hours.

What is the best color protecting shampoo?

Best shampoo for color-treated hair overall
  • Kérastase Chroma Absolu Shampoo for Fine to Medium Color-Treated Hair. ...
  • Kérastase Chroma Absolu Shampoo for Medium to Thick Color-Treated Hair. ...
  • Malin+Goetz Moisturizing Shampoo. ...
  • Sachajuan Colour Protect Shampoo. ...
  • Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance™ Shampoo - 8.5 Oz.

How to make hair dye last longer?

How to make your hair color last longer
  1. Wait at least 72 hours before showering post-treatment. ...
  2. Use color-toning shampoos + conditioners. ...
  3. Stick to color-safe products. ...
  4. Space out your shampoos. ...
  5. Skip the hot water. ...
  6. Max out the moisture. ...
  7. Boost shine and protection with a hair oil. ...
  8. Protect against chemicals and minerals.

How long should I wait to take a shower after dying my hair?

Avoid Washing for 48 Hours

Celebrity stylist Cody Renegar says this helps the pigment settle into your hair. “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!

Will Dawn dish soap lighten dyed hair?

Dish Soap

Fortunately, if you go through the effort of using this drying soap on your dyed hair, it can help remove unwanted color. You'll need to do many washes to fade it out, but it is a step in the right direction if you want to remove a color.

Can I put a lighter brown on dark brown hair?

On the other hand, if you're looking to go from dark brown to light brown, you can probably do that in one day with an at-home hair dye kit. Also keep in mind that the more dramatic your hair transformation, the more time you'll likely need to commit to upkeep, as regrowth will be pretty noticeable.

Previous article
Why is it harder to stand up as you age?
Next article
Which is better, derma facial or HydraFacial?