What makes bleached hair fade?

Author: Junius Thompson  |  Last update: Saturday, May 10, 2025

Harsh Hair Products Using hair products that are drying, harsh or not blonde-friendly can cause your hair colour to fade and unnecessary damage to the hair cuticle.

What causes bleached hair to fade?

The more porous the hair, the more color will fade as essentially the color molecules don't have as much real estate to latch onto the hair shaft and stick around. Unnatural colors are particularly bad with this. If you have hard water in your area that can also cause color fading.

What fades bleached hair?

Bleached hair doesn't fade back to your natural hair colour in the same way that other dyes will. However, it can become darker or duller over time if the toner washes out, leading to yellow pigments becoming visible again.

How can I make my bleached hair fade faster?

washing your hair every other night, wash it every night. This will speed up the fading process. But if you are planning to put a new color over it, then getting it bleached in a salon would be a good option as well. I hope I helped!

How long does it take for bleached hair to fade?

  • 4 to 6 weeks: This is a common timeframe for significant fading, especially with vibrant or dark colors.
  • 6 to 12 weeks: Depending on the dye and hair care practices, some colors may last longer before they fade to a more pastel or muted tone.

hair color fillers explained- going darker to avoid green hair | 2024

Why is my blonde fading so fast?

Hair color can fade due to a variety of factors, including frequent washing and styling, using products containing sulfates, added salts, and even alcohols, exposure to sunlight, UVA and UVB rays, and even minerals in your water, chlorine and other chemicals. Here's a deep dive into each cause…

Is it better to bleach clean or dirty hair?

Greasy hair is the recommended hair condition for bleaching, as your hair's natural oils are well-equipped to resist the bleaching process, and protect the scalp from chemical damage. We recommend bleaching hair at least 72 hours post-hair wash for ultimate protection.

What cancels out bleached hair?

If your lousy bleach job has come out more yellow, you'll need a purple toner. Purple shampoo can help neutralize the yellow. If your hair is orange, you'll need a blue toner. Try a blue shampoo to tone the brassiness and get rid of the orange.

How many washes until hair dye fades?

Hair gloss or semi-permanent and demi-permanent hair dye that typically fades away after four to twelve washes are going to be easier to remove than a permanent dye. The same applies to temporary root touch-up sprays and color sprays: those wash out when you shampoo your hair.

What makes bleached hair lighter?

The Science Behind Hair Bleaching

As oxidation happens, the melanin molecules break down into small, colorless parts. This process makes your hair lighter. How much lighter your hair gets depends on the strength of the bleach, how long you leave it on, and your natural hair color.

Does brown box dye fade?

Hair dye, especially darker shades, naturally fade over time (4-6 weeks). If you've dyed your hair too dark, you might consider just waiting it out.

What brightens bleached hair?

Switch to a Shampoo for Blonde Hair

You can brighten your blond hair easily with different shampoos meant for your hair shade. From a brightening shampoo for regular blondes to purple shampoos for those with brassy tones, you can easily brighten your hair in the shower.

What ingredient in shampoo causes hair color to fade?

Sulfate in shampoo can cause hair color to fade. You will find many well-known brand shampoos that contain sulfates. The purpose of adding sulfate as an ingredient in the shampoo is for deep cleansing your hair.

What happens if you use purple shampoo after bleaching?

Hair stylists often tone bleached or blonde hair to neutralize brassy yellow and orange tones on bleached hair with a purple color. Purple shampoo is a great at-home solution for toning hair and preventing brassiness.

Why won't my bleached hair hold color?

When you bleach your hair you strip it of its natural pigments, which means it won't react to dye in the same way. Dye can come out darker than you would assume and you may need to use a protein filler. Speak to your stylist and be sure you're choosing the right colour and products for you.

How long does bleached hair last?

Unlike dyes, bleached hair is a permanent change. You cannot wash the effect away and will need to wait for complete regrowth. However, touching up your roots will be necessary every month if you want to maintain the look.

Do cold showers make hair dye last longer?

Color That Lasts

Hot water can strip away color faster, leading to more frequent salon visits (and we know those aren't cheap!). Cold water helps keep your color vibrant for longer, saving you time and money.

How to make hair color fade faster?

Use Warm Water – Using warm water will open the hair follicles and is guaranteed to speed up the fading process. As the hair follicles open, the colour will be stripped out, resulting in faster fading. Make sure the water is at a comfortable temperature to avoid burning yourself or damaging your hair.

What should you not use on bleached hair?

Heat is problematic for bleached hair. Too much sun can discolour bleached hair, and heated styling tools are drying for bleached hair. Think about what you can do to reduce heat stress.

What does salt do to bleached hair?

Salt water can cause hair color to fade, especially if you have dyed or highlighted hair. This is because salt water can strip the color from your hair and leave it looking dull. Salt water can irritate your scalp, especially if you have sensitive skin. This can lead to itching, redness, and flaking.

How do you make bleached hair go away?

But after the color has been stripped, there is no way to reverse the bleaching. Instead, you can dye over the bleached hair to reverse the appearance and keep your hair healthy to more quickly grow out your bleached tresses.

Should I rinse bleach out of hair with cold or hot water?

Step 7: Wash it

Use lukewarm water, too hot or cold of water can shock your hair in its already fragile state. Make sure to completely rinse out the bleach and gently wash your hair to get out all the product.

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.

Should I put coconut oil in my hair before bleaching?

Coconut oil, with its rich fatty acids, might coat the hair and potentially minimize some of the damage caused by the bleaching process. Here's a caveat: the science on this is not entirely conclusive. Some hairdressers swear by it, while others recommend other treatments.

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