You just walked out of the salon with a fresh new hair color that turns heads. The shade is vibrant, shiny, and precisely what you wanted. But a week or two later, that gorgeous color starts to look dull, faded, and lifeless. It’s frustrating, right?
If your colored hair is fading way too quickly, you’re not alone — and chances are, some everyday habits are sabotaging your hair color without you realizing it. Don’t stress, though.
In this article, we’ll cover the common mistakes people make that cause color fading, and what you can do to fix them so your hair looks fresh and vibrant for longer.
- Washing Your Hair Too Soon After Coloring
One of the biggest culprits is washing your hair too soon after getting it colored. When you dye your hair, the cuticle — the outer layer of your hair shaft — opens up to let the color in. It takes around 48 to 72 hours for the cuticle to close back up and lock the dye inside.
Washing your hair before this process is complete causes the color to wash out prematurely. So, even if you’re itching to freshen up, it’s best to hold off on shampooing for at least two to three days after coloring.
Pro Tip: Use a dry shampoo to keep your hair feeling fresh during this waiting period without washing out your new color.
- Using Hot Water When Washing
We all love a hot shower, but when it comes to colored hair, hot water can be your enemy. Hot water opens up your hair cuticles, which makes it easier for the color molecules to escape. This leads to faster fading and dull-looking hair.
What to do instead? Switch to lukewarm or cool water when washing your hair. Cooler water helps seal the cuticle, locking in moisture and color. Plus, rinsing with cool water gives your hair a natural shine boost.
- Using Harsh Shampoos and Conditioners
Not all shampoos and conditioners are created equal, especially for color-treated hair. Many conventional shampoos contain sulfates — harsh detergents that strip natural oils and color from your hair.
Using the wrong products can significantly speed up color fading and dry out your hair.
Fix it: Invest in sulfate-free, color-safe shampoos and conditioners. Look for formulas enriched with keratin, argan oil, or UV filters. These ingredients help protect your hair from damage while keeping the color locked in and vibrant.
- Washing Your Hair Too Often
Even the best products can’t stop color from fading if you wash your hair every day. Every time you wash, you risk washing out some of the dye. Water itself can dilute color over time.
Solution: Try to limit washing your hair to 2 or 3 times a week. On days you don’t wash, dry shampoo is your best friend—it keeps your scalp fresh and hair looking clean without the need for water.
- Skipping Heat Protection
Heat styling tools like blow dryers, curling irons, and straighteners can be major culprits in color fading. Heat breaks down the hair’s protein structure and damages the cuticle, making it easier for color molecules to escape.
Don’t skip this step: Always use a heat protectant spray or serum before applying heat to your hair. It creates a barrier that protects your strands and helps maintain your color’s longevity.
- Forgetting Sun Protection
Just like your skin, your hair needs protection from the sun. UV rays can break down the chemical bonds in hair dye, especially in bright or pastel colors like reds, blues, and pinks. Sun exposure can leave your hair looking faded and dry.
Protect your hair: Wear hats or scarves when you’re out in the sun for extended periods. You can also use UV-protecting hair sprays that shield your hair from harmful rays without weighing it down.
- Swimming Without Proper Protection
Pools and oceans can wreak havoc on colored hair. Chlorine in pools strips natural oils and fades color, while saltwater can dry out your hair and alter its tone (yes, blonde hair can turn greenish!).
Before you dive in: Wet your hair with clean water and apply a leave-in conditioner. This helps create a protective layer between your hair and the damaging water. If you swim regularly, consider wearing a swim cap for extra protection.
- Neglecting Regular Treatments and Touch-Ups
Colored hair requires extra care beyond just shampooing and conditioning. Without regular deep conditioning treatments, your hair can become dry and brittle, and the color can fade unevenly.
Keep your hair nourished: Use a deep-conditioning mask once a week to maintain moisture and softness. Also, schedule salon gloss treatments or color-refreshing sessions every few weeks to keep your color looking fresh and vibrant.
It’s normal to want your hair color to look fresh and vibrant for as long as possible. Luckily, many of the causes of fast-fading hair color are easy to fix once you know what they are. Adjusting your washing habits, choosing the right products, protecting your hair from heat and sun, and giving your hair the nourishment it needs will go a long way.
Remember, colored hair isn’t just about the shade — it’s about keeping your hair healthy and strong, too. Treat your hair gently, nourish it well, and protect it daily. Your hair color will thank you by staying bright, shiny, and gorgeous for weeks to come.
