How long should I wait to wash my hair after dying it?

Whether you get your hair dyed at a hair salon or do it by yourself at home, you always want to make your hair color last longer. But due to lack of knowledge or not asking the hair colorist, we make some mistakes that affect the hair color, like washing hair just sometime after hair coloring.

This results in hair color fading faster. So many people asked us this question,” How long should I wait to wash my hair after dying it?”

So the right time to wash your hair after dying your hair is a minimum of 48 hours or two days. But most experts recommend waiting for 72 hours to wash your hair after dying them. The more you wait, the better and more prolonged the hair color will last. 

Let's know about this topic in detail and other factors you should consider after dying your hair!

How long should I wait to wash my hair after dying it?

As we mentioned earlier, the minimum time to wait before you wash your dyed hair is 48 hours. But as per most experts and hair colorists, the best time interval is around 72 hours. 

Hair cuticles require a minimum of 48-72 hours to get closed, depending on hair type. 

So that professional does not recommend hair washing until the hair dye is trapped in cuticles. If you wash the hair just after dying, the color will come out as the cuticles remain open.

So the longer you wait to wash, the longer the color will last on your hair. 

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Why wait for around 72 hours to wash hair after dying?

There is a scientific reason behind it. Actually, when you apply chemicals to your hair, it results in the hair cuticle opening. And when you use hair color, the color penetrates the hair shaft and remains inside. 

The hair cuticle does not reseal right after coloring your hair. It takes between 48 and 72 hours to seal and trap the color. If you wash your hair before the minimum time, then the color will come out because of open hair cuticles.

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Is it ok to use regular shampoo after dying your hair?

Obviously, you should wait for 48-72 hours to wash them after dying them. But what about which shampoo to use for the first time hair washing after hair dying, and can we use regular shampoo? 

Actually, you should not use normal shampoo or even clarifying shampoos. Because regular or clarifying shampoo contains chemicals that can remove the fresh pigment and tone from your hair. 

It is best to use sulfate-free or color-safe shampoo for your newly colored hair. Some of the best color-safe and sulfate-free shampoos are as below- 

Is it right to wash the newly dyed hair with hot water?

No, it is not ok! Actually, using hot water to wash the colored hair will affect the outer layer of hair color, and the color will fade away faster. So, instead, use lukewarm water or cold water to wash your newly colored hair.

Is it necessary to wash hair before dying? 

No! It is not necessary to wash them before dying them, although it is recommended to wash them. As we mentioned earlier, you will have to wait for 48-72 hours after dying them. If any dirt or chemical remains in your hair after dying them, then it may irritate the scalp.

So that's why to make them clean and better, you should wash them before getting them dyed or dying them by yourself.

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How can dyed hair be cared for or preserved?

There are several measures or precautions to take to make your hair dye last longer. Apart from washing hair after 48-72 hours, using color-safe shampoos, and avoiding hot water, some other measures are here – 

• You should always avoid direct sunlight for long periods and use SPF products specially designed for colored hair. 
• Avoid all kinds of hair chemicals like hair sprays or styling products made from alcohol after dyeing your hair.
• Do not blow-dry hair every day, as it can also affect the hair color and make hair too vulnerable.
• Avoid going to the swimming pool as the chlorine water will affect the hair color.
• Avoid using hair masks as they may seem nourishing, but they penetrate deep into the hair and can strip the hair color out of hair. 
• Take a minimum of 2-3 days of gap between washing your hair. 
• Do not dry your hair roughly with a towel, as scrubbing too hard can make hair dry and even result in color fade faster. 
• Use a proper conditioner for your dyed hair.
• Don’t overuse your curling iron, flat iron on your color-treated hair. In fact, use heat protection spray before using the curling iron.
• Keep hydrating your hair.

Bottom Line

We hope all your queries regarding hair washing after dying are cleared now. Here's a pro tip for you- Use semi-permanent colors instead of permanent colors, as most permanent colors contain chemicals, which can affect your hair in the long run. So opt for natural and chemical-free semi-permanent colors. 

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