Hair color fades over time due to a variety of factors, from exposure to sun and chlorine to the normal wash cycle. While faded hair color can’t be avoided entirely, there are steps you can take to help extend the life of your hair color and fade it gracefully.
Why Hair Color Fades
Hair color fades for several reasons:
- Oxidation – Permanent and demi-permanent hair dyes use developer and ammonia to open the hair cuticle and deposit color. As the cuticle closes over time, oxidation occurs and causes fading.
- Sun exposure – The sun’s UV rays cause the melanin in hair to fade. Lighter shades like blondes and reds are more prone to fading.
- Heat styling – Frequent use of hot tools like blow dryers, flat irons, and curling irons speed up fading.
- Chlorine – Swimming in pools strips color from hair due to the chlorine content.
- Hard water – Minerals in hard water can react with hair color molecules and cause fading.
- Over-shampooing – Frequent shampooing accelerates color loss. Sulfates in shampoos also contribute to fading.
- Normal washing – Even gentle cleansing over time will cause some color washout.
How to Make Hair Color Last Longer
While you can’t completely prevent fading, there are strategies to help extend the life of your hair color:
- Use a color-protecting shampoo – Sulfate-free shampoos help retain color vibrancy and richness.
- Limit washing – Washing hair less often preserves hair color longer.
- Rinse with cool water – Hot water opens the cuticle causing faster fading. Rinsing with cool water helps seal the cuticle.
- Apply gloss treatments – Clear semi-permanent conditioning glosses boost shine and seal in color.
- Protect hair from sun – Wear a hat or use a protective spray when outdoors to prevent UV damage.
- Avoid chlorine – Rinse hair after swimming and use a clarifying shampoo periodically.
- Deep condition regularly – Hydrated hair holds onto color better and resists fading.
- Get a color-sealing service – Salon treatments like Olaplex No. 3 help repair bonds to prolong color.
Best Products to Fade Hair Color Gracefully
When it’s time for a color refresh, you don’t necessarily need to cover every strand. Using targeted products to fade hair color gradually can provide a seamless grow-out until your next salon visit.
1. Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
Anti-dandruff shampoos containing zinc pyrithione or selenium sulfide help lift stain from hair gradually. The active ingredients bind to and remove excess artificial pigment to lighten hair color evenly. Using once a week helps tone down color for a natural-looking fade.
2. Clarifying Shampoo
Clarifying shampoos are formulated to deep clean hair and remove buildup. They can be drying if used daily, but using once a week helps strip out metallic salts and artificial pigment. This lifts color slightly for a uniform fade from root to ends.
3. Color-Stripping Shampoo
Color removal shampoos use chemicals like sodium thioglycolate to penetrate the hair shaft and break down permanent dye. When used sparingly they can dissolve color to make a dramatic change more gradual. Always follow with a nourishing conditioner.
4. Vitamin C Treatment
Vitamin C is an effective yet gentle color remover. Mixing vitamin C powder with shampoo or conditioner helps oxidize the cuticle and extract artificial color over time. Leaving it on hair for 5-20 minutes before rinsing avoids overly dry hair.
5. Anti-Residue Shampoo
Weekly use of a shampoo for hard water and chlorine removal helps strip away minerals and metals that dull hair color. Reducing mineral buildup prevents rapid fading between coloring services. It also removes pool chemicals to minimize color stripping.
6. Chelating Shampoo
Chelating shampoos contain ingredients like EDTA to attract and remove metallic salts from hair. Using a chelating shampoo alongside color-protecting products keeps metals from binding to color molecules and accelerating fading.
How Often to Use Fading Products
When using shampoos or treatments to intentionally fade your hair color, moderation is key. Overusing these products can cause excessive dryness, damage, and uneven fading. Here are some general guidelines on frequency of use:
| Product | Recommended Frequency |
|---|---|
| Anti-dandruff shampoo | Once a week |
| Clarifying shampoo | Once a week |
| Color-stripping shampoo | Once every 2-3 weeks |
| Vitamin C treatment | Once a week |
| Anti-residue shampoo | Once a week |
| Chelating shampoo | Once a week |
Always alternate use of these fading products with moisturizing, color-protecting shampoos and deep conditioners. Limit use to avoid overly dry and damaged hair. If using multiple fading products, try alternating them each week rather than using together.
Other Tips for Fading Hair Color
In addition to targeted shampoos and treatments, there are other techniques that can help fade hair color gradually between salon visits:
- Use dry shampoo at roots – Absorbing oil helps chemical color adhere less to new growth.
- Use lemon juice – The citric acid helps strip permanent dye from hair when sitting in the sun.
- Try hydrogen peroxide – Mix with conditioner and leave on for 10-15 minutes before rinsing.
- Make baking soda paste – Comb through hair and leave for 5 minutes to lift color.
- Try oil treatments – Coconut, olive, and argan oils help break down hair dye molecules.
- Use clarifying rinses – Vinegar or citrus juice help remove buildup and fade color.
Always moisturize hair after using these techniques, as they can dry out the hair and cause damage if overused. Perform a patch test first when applying any new product or homemade treatment.
When to See a Colorist
While using at-home products can help extend time between salon visits, touch-up appointments are still needed to properly refresh your hair color. Schedule a color revitalizing service when:
- Roots are excessively darker than mid-lengths and ends
- There is a clear line of demarcation between colored hair and new growth
- Hair has become brassy, dull, or discolored
- You desire a new hair color
- 6-8 weeks have passed since your last color application
Seeing your colorist for a gloss, toner, or all-over color on a regular basis prevents obvious root growth and keeps color looking vibrant. Trying to stretch services too long can lead to a faded, grown-out appearance.
Conclusion
While hair color fading is inevitable, there are many techniques to help extend the life of your shade and provide a graceful grow-out. Using targeted shampoos and treatments can lightly dissolve permanent dye and gradually strip color over time. However, visiting your colorist regularly for a professional refresh is still the best way to maintain beautiful, even-toned color from roots to ends.
With the proper haircare regimen and strategically timed salon appointments, you can keep your hair color looking fabulously fresh for as long as possible. Embrace the fade and enhance it with products when needed. Your colorist can advise you on the ideal schedule and techniques to make your shade last and transition seamlessly until your next application.