Should You Wash Your Hair Before Coloring It?

Coloring your hair offers a brand-new look, and it involves many steps. But should you wash your hair before coloring it? This question is common to all who are new to hair coloring techniques. From pre-coloring procedures to after-care tips, each step is important as it can make or break your overall hair appearance. This article discusses when you must wash your hair before coloring it, how to wash it, and what products to use and avoid. Take a look.

Should You Wash Your Hair Before Coloring It?

You should not wash your hair right before coloring it. Shampooing right before coloring strips the natural oils, and coloring can further dry out the hair and cause hair breakage.

This does not mean you can dye oily, greasy, and dirty hair. The hair and scalp should be clean but not excessively greasy before dyeing. Excessive oil and grease can affect the color payoff and may give inconsistent results. Laura Dale, a licensed cosmetologist, explains that gray hair may not get covered thoroughly because the hair color cannot break through excess oil.

So, what is the ideal time to wash your hair before coloring? Read on to find out!

When To Wash Your Hair Before Coloring

Ideally, you should wash your hair 12-24 hours before coloring it. By that time, the scalp will produce some amount of natural oils and sebum to form a thin, protective layer on the strands. This helps prevent excess hair and scalp damage and irritation. Apart from the protective barrier, there will be a healthy friction between the hair that makes it way more manageable and comfortable to section.

Although you know how to wash your hair, there are a few pointers to keep in mind when you are washing it before coloring.

How To Wash The Hair The Right Way Before Coloring It

As a pre-treatment, here is how you can wash your hair:

1. Use a clarifying shampoo to wash your hair and remove any product buildup from the scalp.
2. Follow up with a hydrating conditioner.
3. Wash thoroughly from the roots to the ends.

Quick Tip

Scrub your hair before the hair dye appointment if you have light-colored locks, as dirty hair can make your tresses look a shade or two darker, affecting the result.

What Products To Use And Avoid Before Coloring

Products To Use

• Pre-Color Treatment: A few weeks before coloring, use deep hydrating conditioners (if you are not already) and hair masks, and try oil treatments at home or a hair spa. These products will prep your hair for the coloring session and prevent excessive damage.
• Clarifying Shampoo: Wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo 12-24 hours before coloring. Clarifying shampoo removes product buildup and excessive grease and dirt from the hair and scalp. Always follow up with a conditioner.
• Non-Oily Products: If you are using serums and sprays, use a lightweight and non-oily product to avoid oil and grease buildup.
• Dye Removers: Only get a dye removal done if recommended by your hair colorist or stylist. Hair expert and licensed cosmetologist Laura Dale says, “Dye removers should not be used before a salon visit. The stylist can address any issues with the previous color.”

Nika, a beauty and hairstyle YouTuber, demonstrated how she preps her hair before dyeing it. She used coconut oil, shea butter, and glycerine to moisturize her hair so it wouldn’t get damaged easily. She says, “When prepping my hair like this, my main focus is like retaining the moisture and then once I actually dye my hair, my focus is retaining that strength. So I do some sort of protein treatment or deep-condition it (i).”

Did You Know?

The Founder of L’Oréal, Eugène Schueller, was the first person to create synthetic hair dye in 1907.

• Oil: Hair care with oil treatments weeks before coloring is reasonable for hair maintenance. However, avoid oiling your hair right before coloring.
  
  Related: Hot Oil Treatment For Hair Growth: Benefits And How To Do It
• Heavy Styling Products: Stay away from cosmetics and hair products, such as gels, hairsprays, and serums that may cause scalp buildup. You may style your hair with these products weeks before but not the same day as your color treatment.
• Dry Shampoo: Dry shampoo, especially on the hair ends, may affect color payoff. Avoid using it right before coloring.

Since the one product you should be using 12-24 hours before coloring is a shampoo, let us determine what kind of shampoo is best for proper hair hygiene.

What To Look For In A Shampoo

Not every shampoo does the job. Some shampoos are too mild to get all the grease and dirt off the hair, making them ineffective in achieving the cleanliness that you desire. A clarifying shampoo is ideal for thorough cleansing.

Unlike your everyday shampoo, a clarifying shampoo contains high SLS levels (a detergent) that can provide deep cleansing to remove the remnants of gels, mousse, hairsprays, and any trace of hair products that stick to the scalp and sebum. Licensed cosmetologist Laura Dale elaborates that clarifying shampoos have a high pH level which opens hair cuticles to provide a deep cleansing process.

However, it is not recommended to use one every day as it may damage your hair. Use it once in two weeks and always follow up with a nourishing conditioner.

Color-treated hair requires careful care and maintenance. Learn in the next section how you can maintain your color-treated hair.

Tips For Maintaining Color-Treated Hair

Here is a list of tips to help maintain your hair color while also keeping it healthy and shiny:

• Use sulfate-free and color-safe shampoos and conditioners.
• Use dry shampoo between washes to remove impurities.
• Use heat protectants to protect your colored hair from heat damage.
• Wash your hair with lukewarm water instead of hot water.
• Limit exposure to chlorinated water or wear a swimming cap while swimming.
• Get regular trims to get rid of split ends and promote healthy hair growth.

Infographic: Dos And Don’ts Before Coloring Your Hair

Coloring your hair can be a great way to transform your look. However, it is important to take the necessary precautions to protect your hair and achieve the best possible results. We have created a comprehensive guide on what you should and shouldn’t do before coloring your hair. Check out the infographic below to know more.

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Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I wash my hair after coloring?

Wait for two days post-coloring before washing your hair.

Can the color wash out if you wash hair too often after coloring?

Yes, frequent washing may fade the color making your hair lose its beauty.

Why do salons wash your hair before coloring?

Salons usually wash your hair before coloring to ensure that there is no residue that could affect the color tone while your hair is dyed your chosen shade.

Is it better to dye hair wet or dry?

It is better to dye dry hair if you want a permanent hair color job or want to make detailed color changes to your hair. Wet hair works well for demi- and semi-permanent hair dyes. However, it is better to avoid dyeing wet hair if your hair is damaged or dehydrated as it can absorb a lot of water and very less color.

Wondering if you should wash your hair before coloring it? Watch this video to find out the answer!

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Laura DaleLicensed Cosmetologist

   

Laura Dale is a Hair Expert and licensed Cosmetologist with over 20 years of experience. Laura has worked as a Global Education Director for Beauty Brands specializing in haircare and as a Beauty Editor she is passionate about sharing her love of beauty products and hair tools.more

Ramona SinhaEditor

 

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal. She also did a certificate course in dermatology offered by the Novosibirsk State University...more

Eshna DasAssociate Editor

Eshna is an associate editor and a certified skin care coach. She has over three years of experience, a triple main bachelor’s degree in psychology, English, and journalism from Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru, and a master’s degree in psychology from Sampurna Montfort College, Bengaluru. Her passion for writing and editing and her background in psychology help her create content that...more

Swathi ESenior Beauty & Lifestyle Writer

Swathi has a postgraduate degree in English literature from The English And Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and over two years of experience in writing on health and lifestyle. She also has a diploma in English journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Kottayam, and is a certified skincare coach. She writes on skin care and aims to present well-researched...more