Nothing showcases your unique style like bold dyed locks, but think of the upkeep. While we all adore a powerful dose of color, keeping your strands in shape isn’t always easy. Achieving a killer dye job is the easy part. Making the color last takes some practice—and the right products.
Not only do you need to know how to wash dyed hair without losing color, but you will also need to avoid products that might result in a dry, brittle texture. Getting into a healthy, consistent washing and conditioning routine keeps your hair happy until it’s time for a color refresh.
If you’re hoping to make your dyed locks stand the test of time, you’ll need to learn how to wash your hair without losing color.
How to Wash Dyed Hair the Right Way
1. Pick the Right Hair Care Products
It may come as no surprise that dyed locks require special care and properly formulated products. Shampoos and conditioners made for dyed hair are designed to help your color go the extra mile.
When it comes to how to wash dyed hair, the formulas you work with matter. Pay extra attention to the ingredients in your hair care products, and keep an eye out for anything that can strip away color, moisture, and important natural oils. Our Unicorn Hair Color Protecting Shampoo and Unicorn Hair Color Protecting Conditioner are made to preserve your color for as long as possible. They don’t contain harsh chemicals that can harm your hair—instead, they contain plant and fruit extracts to nourish, restore and repair dyed locks.
2. Let the Color Settle
How soon can you wash dyed hair? It’s a common question among the newly dyed and an important one! You love your new color, but one wrong step can make it fade quickly. Familiarizing yourself with proper color care ensures you’ll be careful with your updated look.
Timing is one of the most important factors to consider when determining how long you should wash your hair after dyeing it. Remember that dyeing—and bleaching, if you need that extra step—lifts the hair’s cuticle, so your strands need time to recover. In short, the cuticle layer needs to close back up. Waiting two to three days after a dye job reduces the risk of dulling your new color.
3. Let Nature Take Its Course
While you can—and should—shampoo color-treated hair, there are a few rules of thumb to follow. First, plan to wash your hair less frequently. Your scalp’s natural oils can help condition color-treated hair, so the longer you retain those oils, the better. Protect your color and keep your scalp balanced by shampooing no more than two to three times per week. In between, use a dry shampoo to soak up oil. This simple adjustment can help your dyed hair last longer.
How often should you be shampooing to keep your dyed locks looking fresh? The answer might surprise you. It turns out that forgoing shampoo altogether from time to time isn’t a bad thing for color-treated hair. If dye makes your hair feel dry, or you have naturally curly or dry hair, try using a moisturizing conditioner instead of shampoo to boost your hair’s moisture content between washes.
4. Be Smart About Styling
Washing dyed hair isn’t the only step that requires patience. Blowouts and other heat styles also take time. You can use a regular hair dryer 72 hours after dyeing, which most likely coincides with your first shampoo. But straightening and curling won’t be a good idea for another one to two weeks.
Always use heat protectants and work at a low temperature to prevent thermal shock. Only use curlers and straighteners on dry hair and work each section once to reduce the likelihood of heat damage.
Your new hue says a lot about who you are. Knowing how to protect your color ensures you’ll make a memorable impression. Show off your gorgeous color and soft, touchable ‘do on Instagram, and make your FYP more fun by checking us out on TikTok.
