Top Reasons Why Your Hair Color is Fading

Have you noticed your hair color fading more quickly than usual? If so, you’re not alone. As we age, our hair color gradually fades – and there are other factors that might be causing your hair to lose its vibrancy too.

At unDONE Salon, our Boise hair salon stylists would like to explore some of the most common reasons why your hair color is fading prematurely, as well as advice for keeping it looking healthy and vibrant for longer. Read on to learn more about why your hair color might be fading faster than normal.

Insufficient Color Processing Time

One of the main reasons why our hair color tends to fade prematurely is that we don’t leave the dye on long enough. If your hair color fades faster than normal, it could be a sign that you need to leave the dye on for longer when coloring. Depending on the type of dye and your individual hair type, processing time can range from 15 minutes up to an hour or more.

Hard Water Affected the Hair Color Process

If you live in an area with hard water, it can significantly affect the hair coloring process. Hard water is high in calcium and magnesium, which interfere with the color molecules and prevent them from fully penetrating the hair shaft. As a result, your hair color won’t last as long and may fade more quickly than usual.

To counteract this issue, use a chelating shampoo or rinse before coloring to help remove any mineral deposits on the surface of your hair. You can also try using a shower filter to reduce the amount of minerals present in the water; this will help keep your hair color looking fresh for longer.

Overly Aggressive Heat Styling

Regular heat styling can also cause premature fading of hair color. When you use hot tools like curling irons and flat irons on a regular basis, the heat breaks down the cuticle of the hair shaft and strips away some of its color.

If you want to keep your hair color looking vibrant, try to limit heat styling as much as possible – or at least opt for a lower temperature setting whenever possible. Investing in quality styling products that contain thermal protectants can also help reduce damage caused by heat styling.

Excessive Exposure to UV Rays

UVA/UVB rays from the sun can cause premature fading of your hair color too. To prevent this from happening, it’s important to wear a hat or scarf when you go out in the sun, and to keep your hair covered whenever possible. If you plan to spend a lot of time outdoors, consider using products that contain UV protection.

Poor Emulsification of Color

Another common cause of premature fading of hair color is poor emulsification. This means that the color molecules weren’t properly mixed with the developer solution, which can result in uneven coloring and faster fading. To avoid this issue, make sure you follow the directions on your hair dye carefully and mix it thoroughly before applying it to your hair.

Rinsing with Hot Water

One of the most common causes of premature fading of hair color is rinsing it with hot water after coloring. Hot water can open up the cuticles on the hair shaft, causing some of the color molecules to escape and resulting in a faded look. To prevent this from happening, always rinse your hair with cool or lukewarm water when you’re finished coloring. This will help keep your hair color looking vibrant for longer.

Shampooing Hair Too Soon

Shampooing your hair too soon after coloring can also cause premature fading of hair color. The ingredients in shampoo are designed to remove dirt and oil from the scalp, but they can also strip away some of the color molecules if you shampoo too soon after dying your hair.

To avoid this issue, wait at least 48 hours before shampooing to give the color molecules time to penetrate the hair shaft fully. Additionally, use a sulfate-free or color-protectant shampoo to help keep your color looking vibrant for longer.

Schedule An Appointment at Our Boise Hair Salon

At unDONE, we understand the importance of keeping your hair color looking vibrant for as long as possible. Our Boise hair salon stylists use only the highest quality products and techniques to ensure the best results with minimal fading. Book an appointment online today to keep your hair looking beautiful! We look forward to seeing you soon.