Why does my hair feel dry after toner?

Author: Kacey Littel  |  Last update: Monday, November 17, 2025

The reason toner has the ability to damage your hair is due to some harsh chemicals, which, left in too long, will leave your hair dry and brittle. There's also the chance that the toner can lead to unwanted tones, especially if it's left in for more time than it should be.

Do toners make hair dry?

However, using toner too frequently can also dry out your hair or even irritate your scalp. Make sure you know how many washes the product you are using is supposed to last and try not to reapply it sooner.

What happens if you put too much toner in your hair?

  • Chemical Composition: Most toners contain ammonia or other chemicals that can be drying or damaging if used excessively.
  • Frequency of Use: Using toner too frequently can lead to dryness and damage, especially if your hair is already compromised from coloring or heat styling.

Is it normal for hair to feel dry after bleaching?

After bleach, you hair is going to be so dry and weak. It could even feel gummy, like mine, when wet and after the shower it can take more long than usual for your hair to dry. This is because your hair shaft has been ripped open and its retaining all the water.

Why does my hair feel so dry after coloring?

Chemical Damage: Hair dye typically contains harsh chemicals like ammonia and peroxide, which can strip the hair of its natural oils and moisture. This can lead to dryness and a rough texture.

How to Fix Hair Breakage- Damaged Hair to Healthy Hair Care Tips

How do you fix dry damaged hair after coloring?

Apply Deep Conditioner to Add Moisture

You'll need to do more deep conditioning than normal because your hair is now damaged. Aim to do deep conditioning once per week if you have color-treated natural hair. Deep conditioning treatments will help to add in the moisture you've lost through the open cuticles.

Why does my highlighted hair feel like straw?

Harmful styling practices – heat styling too often, as well as frequently bleaching or dyeing your hair can dry out and damage your strands. Combining these practices can lead to visible changes in your hair texture, which can gain a burned, straw-like appearance and feel rough to the touch.

How long to leave toner in hair?

If you have never toned your hair before, it's best to do a strand test first as the results of the treatment will vary depending on your hair's porosity. Leave the toner in for between 5-20 minutes: you can rinse a small section to see when the color has fixed to your liking.

How do you hydrate your hair when bleaching it?

  1. Use intense moisturizing shampoos and conditioners. Try a few protein rich conditioning mask every 2 weeks or so.
  2. Do not wash hair very often. Invest in a good dry shampoo. Its ideal to only wash 2 times a week or less if you can.
  3. I wash my hair once a week. Sometimes 2.

How long does it take for hair to feel normal after bleaching?

If your bleach damage is more severe, you might need a month of care before your hair starts to feel smooth and shiny again. Be patient; you'll get there.

How do you fix over toned hair fast?

Make sure you get washed immediately after you notice you have over-toned those locks! Most toners are not permanent, therefore eventually, after several washes, the 'cool' tones will fade. If you want that toner gone quicker, 2-3 washes with a clarifying shampoo will start to remove the blue, grey or purple stains.

Do you shampoo after toner?

You should wait to shampoo your hair again after applying toner for about 24 hours. This will allow the toner to set and not wash out of your hair.

What color cancels out ash?

Q: For folks who don't want ashy hair color, is it hard to fix? A: It's super easy to fix. When formulating your shade, your colorist will likely use a copper or golden tone to counteract the ash.

Why does my hair feel dry after a toner?

The reason toner has the ability to damage your hair is due to some harsh chemicals, which, left in too long, will leave your hair dry and brittle. There's also the chance that the toner can lead to unwanted tones, especially if it's left in for more time than it should be.

Is toner supposed to be drying?

When used correctly, toner can help gently cleanse, nourish, and refresh your skin, without stripping away its essential moisture. With so many common misconceptions surrounding the use of facial toners, it's important to understand that not all toning products are drying or harsh on the skin.

How many washes does toner last?

In-salon toners will last on average 3-4 weeks while at-home toners will need to be refreshed once a week, but the answer really depends on the amount of pigments in your chosen toner and how often you wash your hair. Factors that affect how long your toner lasts include: Sun exposure.

Why does my hair feel so dry after bleaching?

The tell-tale signs of bleach damage are: Dry, brittle, and straw-like textures due to a loss of oils and lipids during chemical processing. If that radiant shine your hair once boasted is now subdued, blame the bleach! It affects the hair's cuticle layer, making it less reflective, leading to a loss of natural luster.

Does putting coconut oil on your hair help?

Coconut oil can have many benefits for your hair and scalp. It is used to relieve dandruff, restore luster to dry and damaged hair, tame frizz, and protect hair against styling damage. It is safe to use on all hair types.

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.

Is toner damaging to hair?

The main difference between toner and hair color is that the former simply deposits pigments on the surface of the hair, while the latter—at least in the case of permanent hair color—introduces color deep into the hair cuticle. And because they only act on the surface, toners won't damage your hair.

Does hair get darker the longer you leave toner on?

Hair toners act immediately and, according to the experts, must be left on your hair for 15–20 minutes on average. Bleach is needed to lighten hair color, (1) but bleaching is harmful to the hair. For this reason, hair toners are used as they change the hair color, but they don't turn it lighter or darker.

What is the best toner for brassy hair?

Best Toners for Brassy Orange Hair

Blue toners are the best for fixing orange hair! For light orange, definitely give the Wella Colour Charm T14 Pale Ash Blonde Toner a try! This is designed to remove gold brassiness (which is a mix of yellow and orange) so will help reduce those orange tones.

Why is my highlighted hair so dry?

Highlighting with bleach is a treatment that removes the colour pigment present in your hair; it decolours your hair. Even if you use a professional highlighting product or go to a good hairdresser, this bleaching will have a drying effect on your hair.

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