What causes hair not to hold color?

Author: Miss Dahlia Walsh  |  Last update: Saturday, June 28, 2025

Hair porosity plays a big role in how well color takes. Higher porosity means color might not stick as well. Damaged hair often struggles to hold onto dye, leading to patchy or faded results. Pre-color treatments can help prep your hair, making it more receptive to dye.

Why is hair dye not staying in my hair?

There are a few reasons the dye isn't taking; 1) It could be that your hair is naturally resistant to bleach 2) the developer may not be strong enough 3) you may not be leaving the dye in long enough. 4) direct dyes usually require hair to be lifted to a level 10 blonde or higher for best results.

Why is my hair not holding dye anymore?

  • This can happen for several reasons. These include:
  • -Your hair wasn't lightened enough beforehand.
  • -Only one color was used.
  • -The hair processed too long.
  • -The color was too unnatural compared to your natural hair.
  • -Your hair had more than one color of dye on it from the beginning.

What hair conditions resists color?

pH Levels: The pH level of your hair can influence color absorption. If your hair is too alkaline or too acidic, it may resist color. Hair Health: If your hair is overly damaged or has buildup from products, it may not take color well.

Why is my hair so resistant to color?

Pigment loss occurs naturally in hair as we age. Along with the changes in pigmentation, grey hairs can also undergo structural changes Grey hair is often also coarser. The outer cuticle layer of greys can be more tightly packed and layered, making them resistant to colour absorption.

COMMON HAIR COLOUR QUESTIONS | Why My Hair Colour Went Black ? | Why My Hair Color Doesn't Last |

What would cause hair color not to take?

Brittle, split, and dry hair won't take hair dye the same way healthy hair does. If your hair is damaged, the dye's chemicals will penetrate the hair cuticles differently, and you may end up with patchy or faded color. Prep your hair before you color to make sure all your strands are as healthy as they can be!

What is the hardest hair color to maintain?

Red hair is notoriously difficult when it comes to upkeep. While it's the hardest color to fully strip from your hair, it's also the first to fade, often lightening drastically within the first few washes. So unless you're wanting to touch-up your own color at home, it would be wise to skip the scarlet shades.

Why is my hair not getting color?

If you left the hair dye in as recommended and used enough hair dye, most likely this is one of the reasons: You might have used a colour that was too light for your hair. You can't lighten already dyed hair. See what colours can work for you in our Colour advice tool.

Can gray hair be resistant to color?

Gray hair tends to be resistant and typically takes longer to grab hold of the hair. Since there is no pigment, there is no need to lift. You just need to open the cuticle enough to deposit the color. If you feel you can get full coverage using a 10 or 15 volume then by all means use a lower volume.

What medical conditions change hair color?

Waardenburg syndrome is a genetic condition that causes changes to the coloring (pigmentation) of your hair, eyes and skin and can cause hearing loss in some people. Six genetic mutations cause the four types of Waardenburg syndrome, with each type categorized by its unique symptoms.

Why is my hair color not lasting?

Hard water is perhaps the most frustrating cause of fading hair color. That's because hardness isn't immediately obvious — which means you could use this water on every wash and inadvertently make things worse. Hard minerals can fade your hair dye and cause other issues.

Will vinegar set hair dye?

The vinegar actually helps the hair dye to remain bonded to the hair, according to my awesome stylist Viviane of Marina Beach Hair.

What is the best color depositing conditioner?

Our favorite color-depositing conditioner is the dpHue Gloss+ thanks to its wide range of shades, easy application, and ability to soften and hydrate hair. For a clear gloss that adds shine to any hair color, we recommend the Pureology Color Fanatic Top Coat + Sheer.

Why does my hair never hold color?

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 won't my hair absorb color?

The Science Behind Hair Color Absorption

If it's too closed or damaged, dye can't penetrate well. Healthy hair with an open cuticle layer will soak up color better, giving you that vibrant look. The pH level and the porosity of your hair also affect how well it takes color.

Why does my hair dye keep coming out?

Not following the instructions could see your hair colour fading quickly. Products that contain sulphates such as shampoos should be avoided. In addition, you should avoid washing your hair immediately after applying colour to it. Washing your hair too often can be harmful and can cause the colouring to fade.

What do you do when grey hair won't hold color?

10 Tricks to Help You Color Resistant Gray Hair
  1. Use a Permanent Color. ...
  2. Add a Dose of Pure Naturals. ...
  3. Choose the Right Developer. ...
  4. Saturate Stubborn Silver Strays. ...
  5. Start With the Most Resistant Patches. ...
  6. Develop Color Under Heat. ...
  7. Get Inspired by Formulas. ...
  8. Blend Away Grays with Highlights.

How to improve melanin production in hair?

Tip: You should add Vitamins A, B12, C, and D to increase melanin production in your hair cells. You should thus add citrus fruits and green vegetables to your diet. Including Indian gooseberry in your diet is important because it is rich in Vitamin C and Iron.

What is the best hair color for stubborn gray hair?

Neutral shades like soft blonde, mushroom brown, light copper, and caramel blonde balayage are the easiest to blend gray into (and maintain over time without wanting to shave your hair off).

What causes lack of hair color?

Hair follicles are structures in the skin that make and grow hair. With aging, the follicles make less melanin, and this causes gray hair. Graying often begins in the 30s.

Can you dye your hair again if you didn't take the dye?

You should wait at least two weeks after your last dye session to re-dye your hair, regardless of the reason. If you're maintaining your color, stylists recommend returning to the salon every four to six weeks for a touch-up.

How to prep hair for dye?

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.

What is the most damaging hair color?

Comparing Permanent, Semi-Permanent, and Demi-Permanent Hair Dyes. Permanent hair color has the greatest potential for hair damage due to the chemistry involved and should be done most cautiously.

What is the most least attractive hair color?

Collectively, people with red hair were rated as most unattractive, but it must be noted that in the non-obese woman condition, red hair was seen as equal to blond hair in attractiveness, though in every other condition red hair was seen as significantly less attractive.

What color stays in your hair the longest?

As a general rule of thumb, darker colors tend to stay on the hair for longer. So, if you're adding lowlights, a root shadow or all-over depth, the shade will offer more mileage than, for example, light blondes, light browns or light reds. The same goes for pastel colors versus rainbow colors.

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