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…
Water exposure, sun exposure, hard water and pollution all contribute to color fading. And sulfate shampoo, besides being terrible for planet, will fade color too as will warm and especially hot water. All of these factors contribute to fading no matter what the color formula may be. And it also depends on the shade.
avoid over washing hair
Washing your hair too often fades colour-treated tresses. So, how often should you wash coloured hair? We recommend washing no more than two to three times a week to help preserve your shade and natural oils.
That's right: One of the biggest reasons for faded hair color is hard water. The same hard minerals that cause limescale around your home can also strip away hair dye. The more you wash your hair with hard water, the worse the problem will get.
Check the pH of your water: whether you are doing a wash or a rinse, be sure to check the pH of your water. If it's hard water, it can also play a role in the dye fading faster. You can always install a filter to help you with this.
Timing is 30 minutes for standard color application; 45 minutes for maximum gray coverage and for high-lift shades. Typically, with permanent color, the first 15 minutes provide time for the peroxide and ammonia to open the cuticle and penetrate into the cortex to lighten natural pigment.
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.
You're washing your hair too often.
Although permanent dyes deeply penetrate the cuticle, the cells still wear down with time and cause your fresh color to fade. If you want that color to last as long as possible, try washing your hair less.
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.
Ideally, *permanent hair colour* would stay vibrant forever, or at least until the roots grow. On most heads of hair, that would mean getting a good 6-8 weeks between touch-ups – but sometimes, even with permanent dye, colour fade can happen within a few weeks.
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.
If you can, consider using moisturizing conditioner only on your color-treated hair. Shampoo can take more color from your hair more than conditioner.
The answer may vary depending on who you ask, but most hair experts recommend waiting at least 48 hours before washing your hair again. This gives the color time to set and prevents it from fading too quickly. After that initial 48-hour waiting period, you can start shampooing every 1-2 weeks.
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.
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.
Hair color fading due to lifestyle factors
The heat from blow-dryers, curling wands, and flat irons can cause steam to be released into the hair shaft. This can make hair color fade faster as the color molecules get “pushed” out to make room for air bubbles produced by the steam.
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.
Permanent: This dye often contains ammonia (to open hair's cuticle) mixed with a developer (hydrogen peroxide) to lift and deposit pigment, changing the hair's color until it grows out. This dye lasts the longest and is best for covering grays.
Certain harsh chemicals in popular box dyes have given many stylists pause. Common concerns include: Ammonia - This mixing agent lifts cuticles to deposit colour but is quite drying over time. Peroxide - High volumes like 30+ developer cause more damage to delicate hair.
If your hair is too porous, it'll definitely absorb color, but it may not last as long as you'd like because every time you wash or shampoo your hair, those color molecules will break down and wash out from your hair more easily – resulting in color that fades faster than you want.