Flat ironing your hair creates a smooth, sleek look while hair dye allows you to change up your color. But is it safe to dye your hair shortly after flat ironing it? The short answer is yes, you can dye your hair after flat ironing, but you need to be careful. Repeated use of hot tools and chemical processing can damage your locks. Follow some simple guidelines to safely dye hair that’s been flat ironed.
How Flat Ironing Affects Hair
Flat irons use high heat to smooth and straighten hair. Frequent flat ironing can cause:
- Dryness and brittle hair
- Damage to texture and cuticles
- Increased porosity
- Weakened, broken strands
- Loss of shine and vibrancy
Flat irons typically heat up to 380°F – 450°F. Exposing your hair regularly to such high temperatures can boil away moisture, remove proteins and make hair more prone to damage from other treatments.
How Hair Dye Affects Hair
Hair dye works by penetrating the hair cuticle and depositing color inside the strand. Chemical dyes contain peroxide which swells up the cuticle so dye molecules can get inside.
Potential risks of hair dye include:
- Cuticle damage leading to dry, porous hair
- Allergic reactions or scalp irritation
- Hair breakage if over-processed
- Fading of color quickly on damaged hair
Doing both flat ironing and hair dyeing in close succession compounds the damage and makes hair more vulnerable.
Should You Dye Right After Flat Ironing?
It’s best to avoid flat ironing and hair dyeing back-to-back, as it risks overprocessing. If possible, allow a few weeks between treatments for hair to recover.
However, you can safely dye your hair soon after flat ironing if you:
1. Use a gentle, semi-permanent dye
Semi-permanent hair dyes coat the outside of hair strands rather than penetrating the cortex. This makes them less damaging than permanent dyes. Opt for a semi-permanent option after flat ironing.
2. Don’t overlap with roots when coloring
Focus the dye only on previously flat ironed ends and lengths. Avoid overlapping at the roots which will lead to overprocessing.
3. Don’t double process with bleach
If hair is already color-treated or bleached, wait longer between flat ironing and hair dye. Bleach is especially damaging.
4. Deep condition before and after
Proper conditioning helps restore moisture and strengthen hair before chemical processing. Use a weekly conditioning mask too.
5. Turn down the flat iron heat
Keep flat iron temperatures on the low end of the range. Use the lowest heat setting that still effectively straightens your hair texture.
6. Use a thermal protectant
Apply a heat protectant spray or serum before flat ironing to shield hair from damage.
7. Get regular trims
Trim off any split ends before flat ironing or dyeing hair to prevent more damage traveling up the length.
How Long Should You Wait to Dye After Flat Ironing?
For severely damaged or frequently flat ironed hair, wait at least 1-2 weeks before applying hair dye if possible. This gives your hair cuticles time to close up and recover.
If your hair is in fairly good condition and you only flat iron 1-2 times per week, you can dye your hair in as little as 2-3 days afterwards.
Look for these signs your hair is healthy enough for dyeing shortly after flat ironing:
- Hair is bouncy, shiny and soft – not brittle or breaking
- No irritation, flaking or redness of scalp
- Cuticles lay flat and reflected light evenly off strands
- No split ends or breaks visible
- Hair accepts moisture well and feels supple when wet
Use your best judgment based on your hair’s current condition. The closer together you stack chemical treatments, the more damaging it will be.
Tips to Prevent Hair Damage From Dyeing After Flat Ironing
If you want to dye your hair shortly after flat ironing it straight, keep these tips in mind:
- Don’t shampoo for 2-3 days before dyeing to avoid stripping oils
- Do a deep conditioning treatment a few days before to boost moisture
- Use the mildest dye possible – semi-permanent, vegetable-based, etc
- Leave the product on for the minimum suggested processing time
- Rinse thoroughly until water runs clear – at least 5-10 minutes
- Use cool water when rinsing to close cuticles
- Apply a post-color conditioning mask for 10-15 minutes
- Avoid washing hair for 1-2 days after coloring
- Use color-safe sulfate-free shampoo when you do wash
- Limit use of hot tools like curling & flat irons for 1-2 weeks
- Get regular trims to nip damage in the bud
- Use Olaplex or bond repair treatments to strengthen hair
Being cautious and not overdoing chemical treatments will help you achieve the hair look you want without compromising its health. Consult a stylist if unsure about the current state of your hair.
Common Concerns About Dyeing After Flat Ironing
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about coloring hair after heat styling:
Does flat ironing affect hair dye?
Yes, by opening up cuticles and damaging strands, flat ironing allows hair dye to absorb deeper and process faster. This can lead to an uneven color result.
Should you dye roots after flat ironing?
Avoid overlapping hair dye onto the roots if you recently flat ironed your lengths. Focus just on the ends and previously straightened sections.
Does flat ironing change how hair absorbs dye?
Heat styling makes hair more porous so it absorbs dye quicker and deeper than undamaged hair. Adjust your coloring technique based on this.
How soon can you wash hair after dyeing and flat ironing?
It’s best to wait 2-3 days after dyeing flat ironed hair to shampoo. Use dry shampoo and gentle styling until then. Avoid getting hair wet.
Should you tone hair after flat ironing and dyeing?
Toner deposits minimal color so it’s gentler than dye if needed shortly after heat styling. But allow 2 weeks between flat ironing, dyeing and toning treatments if possible.
The Takeaway
You can dye your hair after flat ironing it, but it’s ideal to space out these chemical treatments as long as you can. Allow your hair to rest and recover for at least few days between flat ironing and hair color for best results. Always err on the side of gentleness – your hair will thank you!