How to Soften Hair After Dyeing (Plus When to Use Shampoo)

How to Condition Your Hair After Dyeing

Condition your hair right after dyeing. Usually, a packet of conditioner comes with the dye product. If there's not, use your usual conditioner, leave it in for at least three minutes, then rinse with cool water. If you had your dye job done professionally, consider booking a conditioning treatment afterward.

Opt for high-quality sulfate-free conditioner. Use products designed to repair damaged or colored hair that are sulfate-free and have added oils for nourishment. Similarly, avoid products with parabens and formaldehyde, as these ingredients strip away color and leave your hair dry and brittle. Avoid products that include polyethylene glycols (PEG), triclosan, synthetic fragrances and colors, dimethicone, and retinyl palmitate, as well.

Apply a deep conditioning treatment once a week. In addition to your regular conditioning routine, use a deep conditioner once a week. If you get oily roots, rub the conditioner just into the tips of your hair. After a few minutes, rinse it out. Some conditioners are leave-in. If this is the case with yours, dab or spray it on when your hair is damp from the shower.

Make an egg hair mask to promote hair growth. Making an egg mask is easy to strengthen and keep your hair from breaking. Eggs contain protein, lecithin, and biotin, which are vital for healthy hair growth. Mix 2 eggs with 1 US tbsp (3.0 tsp) of coconut or olive oil. Apply liberally and leave it in your hair for 30 minutes. Wash thoroughly with cool water and let it air dry. Alternatively, take ⁄2 c (8.0 US tbsp) of yogurt, 2 tablespoons (29.6 ml) of almond oil, and 2 beaten eggs to form a creamy mixture. Apply to the length of your hair, and leave it for 30 minutes. Condition as normal. Use unflavored mayo as a substitute for oil to moisturize your hair. Be sure to rinse it out throughly with cold water. Try biotin supplements if eggs aren’t your thing.

Apply 2 US tbsp (30 mL) of coconut oil to your hair. The vitamins and fatty acids in coconut oil helps keep the scalp and hair cuticles soft. Heat 2 US tbsp (30 mL) of coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl and melt until it’s liquified. Allow it to cool so you can touch it. Apply it thoroughly to your hair, and leave it in for at least 4 to 5 hours or overnight in a shower cap. Rinse thoroughly with cold water. Alternatively, you can substitute coconut oil with olive, castor, or almond oil. Add a few drops of sweet-smelling essential oils if you’d like. Add 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of honey to the mixture to soften your hair. Honey works well with olive oil. You do not have to apply oil hot. It can be applied as is.

Make an avocado and banana hair mask to hydrate your hair. Add ½ an avocado, ½ a banana, 1 large egg, and 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of olive oil in a bowl to create a nice hair treatment. Mash all of the ingredients together with a fork or whisk. Apply the mixture to your hair and let it sit for 20 minutes. Rinse with cool water. Bananas help strengthen your hair, while avocado makes it soft and shiny.

Use an apple cider vinegar and water mixture to add shine. Combine ⁄2 US tbsp (7.4 mL) of apple cider vinegar and 8 fl oz (240 mL) of water. Rinse your hair thoroughly with the mixture, leave it in for 15 minutes, and wash out. Then, continue your routine as normal. Less of a moisturizer and more of a restoring agent, apple cider vinegar is a home remedy for many problems. It can restore the pH of your hair while stripping away any synthetic products to keep it frizz-free and smooth.

How long should you wait to wash your hair after coloring?

Wash your hair right after dyeing using color-safe products. Although some people recommend waiting to wash your hair for 48 to 72 hours, most professional hair colorists will wash your hair after a dye job to remove excess product that can stain and irritate your skin. Stylists say that washing your hair helps lock the color, making it more vibrant after the fact. However, it’s best to use shampoos and conditioners designed specifically for color-treated hair to avoid stripping the color.

How to Care for Dyed Hair

Shampoo your hair the day before you color it. Before your next dye job, take proactive measures to ensure your hair stays smooth. For starters, wash your hair the day before or the day off to remove oils and products that prevent the color from adhering properly. Similarly, avoid scrubbing your scalp to avoid skin irritation.

Rinse your hair with cold water at the end of your shower. While hot showers feel great, hot water can fade your color. It opens up the cuticles of your hair, rinsing your color out while shampooing and conditioning. Instead, opt for warm water to start with and seal in your conditioner’s moisture with cold water when you rinse.

Wash your hair only when it’s really dirty. Washing your hair every day can actually dry it out, so if you can avoid it for a few days, do so. After all, that’s what the ponytail is for! When you shower, throw your hair up and put it in a cap to keep it out of your way. Just because you don’t wash your hair doesn’t mean you’re not showering! Everyone has different needs. Some of people wash their hair every two days, while others can get away with it once a week. Look at your roots: if they’re oily, wash ‘em. If not, bask in the extra time you have to get ready in the morning! If you feel like you need to do something to your hair when you shower, on days you don't wash, rinse, and condition.

Opt for semi-permanent hair dye, which is less damaging. If you have dark hair and want a pastel or lighter look, you’ll have to bleach your hair. Bleach lightens your hair by raising the hair cuticle to remove the color. It can cause your hair to become stringy or feel like straw, which is why conditioning is so important. Similarly, semi-permanent or temporary dyes are less damaging to your hair and last up to 6 weeks before needing to be reapplied. While semi-permanent dyes are less damaging, they’ll need to be applied more often if you want to maintain your color. Over time, this can damage your hair. So, if you want a specific color for longer, opt for permanent dyes. Permanent dyes last much longer but the ingredients necessary (oxidizers and ammonia) are more damaging to your hair. Ammonia-free dyes replace the ammonia of permanent dyes with a less damaging compound. However, using too much of this product can still damage your hair, similar to permanent dyes.

Refrain from using heated styling tools whenever possible. Heated tools will only further dry and damage your hair. It'll be a sacrifice, but it can be done. Ponytails, headbands—that frizz can be hidden. Think of it as a short-term solution for a long-term problem. So ditch the iron and go natural a few days a week. You should see improvements in a few weeks unless your hair is seriously damaged. You can also opt for heatless curlers if you’re looking to add some volume and definition to your hair. If you're in a tight spot, try turning the heat down on your curling iron or straightener and avoid styling the same hair more than once so it can rest. Spritz a generous amount of heat protectant spray when applying heat to your hair to prevent damage.

Get your hair trimmed every 6 to 8 weeks. Your hair's ends take the most damage from hair dye; the best way to solve this problem is by getting it trimmed. A trim can even help encourage hair growth.

Eat a well-balanced diet for healthy hair. If your body doesn't have enough nutrients to go around, it's certainly not going to give any to your hair! So ensure you get your protein, zinc, iron, vitamins, and minerals. Your hair, skin, and nails will look better for it. Drinking lots of water helps, too. Like apple cider vinegar can cleanse your tresses, water cleanses your entire body. The more hydrated you are, the healthier you are as a whole.

How long should I wait to dye my hair again?

Wait at least 6 weeks before coloring your hair again. This time frame is the general recommendation by professional hair colorists. However, how long you should wait depends on the health of your hair, how fast it grows, the type of dyed use, and your natural hair color. For instance, redyeing may be safe if you use a semi-permanent color, the color fades faster than anticipated, and you have healthy hair. However, use caution and maintain proper hair health before and after dyeing. Speak to a professional hair colorist if you have any concerns.