What can ruin highlights?

Author: Josie Kilback  |  Last update: Friday, November 14, 2025

3. Fading of highlights due to exposure to sun, heat, or other elements is common and requires regular salon visit for touch ups in order to maintain a natural look and color balance throughout the hair's length and layers.

What should you not do with highlights?

Highlighted hair is more prone to damage as the hair cuticle has been opened up. Using hairdryers, straighteners and curling irons can cause a lot of damage, so try to use them less frequently. When you do use them, we always recommend using a heat protectant.

What causes highlights to fade?

Primary reason for a Color to fade is it's exposure to sunlight. The Color also fades out with the quality of water that you use to rinse your hair. It also fades if you use certain harsh shampoos.

How do you know if your hair is damaged from highlights?

5 Signs of Hair Damage
  • Hair Looks and Feels Dry and Brittle. ...
  • Damaged Hair is Prone to Breakage and Excess Shedding. ...
  • Hair Gets Tangled in Knots Easily. ...
  • Your Color Looks Dull and Brassy. ...
  • Hair Care Products Don't Work as They Should.

Does toner ruin highlights?

Toner is usually not damaging at all. Bleaching your hair opens your follicles and leaves holes, essentially. Toner fills the holes and helps close the cuticle.

Every hairstylists NIGHTMARE: Massive damage and how I handled it - Hair Melting Storytime Fail

Will clarifying shampoo tone down highlights?

You might have heard about this tip in salons but clarifying shampoos can be helpful for hair colors that are too light or bright. A clarifying shampoo is meant to remove color from your hair and it can even out your hair color as well.

How to fix botched highlights?

If your highlights look sloppy or streaky, pull strands away from your head before coloring next time. When you've separated the section you want to highlight, then you can apply the dye. Remember to coat the entire strand evenly, and be delicate when you're applying color close to your scalp.

How many days should you not wash your hair after highlights?

How Soon Can You Wash Hair After Coloring? Similar to balayage, it is generally recommended that you wait 48 to 72 hours before washing your hair after any coloring treatment. This helps the color settle and prevents it from washing out too quickly.

Why did my hair break off after highlights?

Traditional foil highlights, for instance, require the hair to be wrapped in aluminum foil while the color develops. This process can cause the hair to become dehydrated and fragile.

Which is more damaging, highlights or color?

Additionally, single-color tends to be gentler on your hair than highlights. The bleach used in highlight formulas can cause damage, particularly if you have them done often, or use other chemical hair treatments.

Why are my hair highlights disappearing?

Both protein (keratin) and moisture are essential components of healthy hair—if they're missing, your hair color could fade quickly. If hair is in poor condition (we're looking at you split ends), a protein or moisturizing treatment may be needed before you color.

Why are my highlights fading after a 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 do I make my highlights last longer?

How to Maintain Highlighted Hair for Longer
  1. Ask for WellaPlex. ...
  2. Consider Freehand or Ombre Techniques. ...
  3. Use an Antioxidant Shampoo. ...
  4. Fit a Shower Filter. ...
  5. Keep Mid-Lengths and Ends in Good Condition. ...
  6. Enhance Cool Blondes with the Color Fresh Mask. ...
  7. Apply a Heat Protection Spray. ...
  8. Book in a Glossing Service.

Does shampoo ruin highlights?

Yes, you can use normal shampoo if you have highlights. However, if you have a lot of highlights or if your highlights are very light, you may want to use a shampoo for coloured hair.

What are the rules for highlights?

Highlighting Rules:

Keep your Highlights thin for a Natural look. Bigger Highlights create stripes. Don't group them all together. Allow adequate breathing room between them.

Will the sun ruin my highlights?

Just as UV rays can damage our skin, they can also wreak havoc on our hair. Sun exposure causes the outer layer of the hair cuticle to break down, leading to loss of moisture and proteins. For colored hair, this can result in significant color fading, especially for vibrant or artificially enhanced shades.

Can highlights mess up your hair?

Many people worry that highlights can damage their hair if not done properly. The good news is that highlighting doesn't have to ruin your hair. When done correctly and with the right products, it can actually be beneficial for healthy-looking locks.

What does hair breakage look like?

Signs of hair breakage include: Frizzy, dull hairs in your hairbrush or comb after brushing. Split ends. White spots on individual hairs (they're easier to spot on brunette hair)

Why does my hair look fried after highlights?

What can be done about dry hair after highlights
  • Masks will help your dry highlights get back on top! ...
  • Use a good shampoo and conditioner specifically for coloured hair. ...
  • Blow-drying, hair straightening and/or curling should be avoided. ...
  • Schedule an (extra) hairdresser's visit. ...
  • Take vitamins for your hair.

What not to do after getting highlights?

Stay Away From Heat

Heat-based styling tools won't do anything good to your color, especially when you couple it with products. “Try to avoid using volumizers, mousse, hairsprays, and even gels with high heat for long periods of time. The hair is too vulnerable and easily damaged,” says Dorram.

Do highlights get lighter or darker over time?

In some cases, highlights can get lighter after a few washes and fade over time. Several factors can influence how long it takes highlights to fade, such as the type of shampoo you use, sun exposure, whether or not you have hard water in your shower pipes, and the porosity of your hair.

Why do salons wash your hair after highlights?

The wash aids in closing the cuticles back down, sealing in the color and leaving the hair smooth and shiny. In essence, the washing process post-coloring acts as a neutralizing step. It helps balance the pH level of your hair and scalp, restoring them to their normal state after the chemical treatment.

What do I do if I don't like my highlights?

How to Get Rid of Highlights: An Expert Guide
  1. 01 of 05. Add Lowlights. Want to tone down the intensity of your highlights, while still keeping some dimension? ...
  2. 02 of 05. Shadow Root or Color Melt. ...
  3. 03 of 05. Use a Darker Gloss or Toner. ...
  4. 04 of 05. Cut Off the Highlights. ...
  5. 05 of 05. Use Permanent Color.

Can toner fix bad highlights?

First things first, try a toner. While your highlights may seem too bright, it could be that you're actually seeing undesired tones in them, and a toner can help level things out. Our Light WorksⓇ Toning Glaze enhances highlights, reduces brassiness, and conditions and locks in shine.

Is purple shampoo a toner?

Is purple shampoo a toner? Any product that dispenses pigment to adjust hair tone can be considered a toner, and that includes purple shampoo. Its pigments work to neutralize brass.

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