Can I Dye My Hair If It’s Oily? A Complete Guide

If you’re ready to experiment with a bold new hair color but your locks are looking a little limp and greasy, you may be wondering – can I dye my hair if it’s oily? Will the dye take properly on unwashed, dirty strands?

The answer is yes, you absolutely can dye oily hair! In fact, coloring your hair when it’s slightly greasy can actually have benefits. The natural oils help protect your strands and scalp during the harsh chemical process.

However, there are still important factors to keep in mind when dyeing oily tresses to ensure the best results. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover:

• The ideal level of oiliness for dyeing hair
• Prep steps to take before coloring oily hair
• How to apply dye to greasy locks
• Common mistakes to avoid
• Aftercare tips for freshly dyed oily hair
• When to see a professional stylist instead

Let’s get into everything you need to know about safely dyeing your oily mane beautiful new shades at home.

What’s the Ideal Oil Level for Dyeing Hair?

When it comes to coloring oily hair, more oil isn’t necessarily better. You want your hair to have some natural oils present, but not be totally saturated.

Here’s a quick guide on oiliness levels:

• Squeaky clean hair: Not ideal, as natural oils help protect scalp from irritation
• 1 day unwashed: Perfect level of oils for dyeing
• 2 days unwashed: Still has enough oils to shield hair without being excessive
• 3+ days unwashed: Too much oil which can make color application uneven

As a general rule, aim to dye your hair 1-2 days after your last wash for the best results. Now let’s look at why some oiliness can actually help when coloring hair.

Why Dyeing Oily Hair Can Be Beneficial

Believe it or not, skipping a wash or two before coloring oily strands has some advantages:

• Protects scalp: Sebum acts as a barrier against skin irritation from harsh chemicals.

• Evens out dye absorption: Oils allow gradual, uniform penetration of color rather than quick oversaturation.

• Adds shine: Natural oils keep hair supple and boost shine for richer color vibrancy.

• Reduces damage: Sebum seals and smooths the cuticle to limit chemical penetration to the cortex.

• Enhances moisture: Oils lock in hydration, preventing the drying effects of dye.

So while you don’t want severely greasy hair, a little oil pre-coloring is ideal for keeping your tresses safe and healthy while getting gorgeous results.

How to Prep Oily Hair Before Dyeing

Properly preparing your oily strands ahead of time is crucial for achieving a flawless color application. Here are some key tips:

• Clarify gently: Use a moisturizing shampoo 1-2 days before to remove excess oil without over-stripping.

• Deep condition: Nourish hair with a hydrating mask or oil treatment before dyeing.

• Detangle well: Carefully smooth out tangles pre-dye to allow even saturation from roots to ends.

• Protect skin: Apply petroleum jelly to hairline and ears to avoid stains.

• Divide into sections: Split hair into quadrants and clip up for manageable, neat application.

• Use gloves: Wear gloves during the coloring process to avoid stained fingers.

Taking these preparatory steps will set you up for dyeing success on your oily locks!

How to Apply Dye to Oily Hair

When working the dye product through greasy strands, follow these tips:

• Mix as directed: Combine dye and developer according to package instructions to activate and catalyze the formula.

• Work in small sections: Take thin subsections of hair to coat every strand thoroughly with dye.

• Start at mid-lengths/ends: Apply dye first to the middle and ends of hair, saving roots for last.

• Brush through: Use a tint or color brush to evenly distribute dye from root to tip.

• Don’t overdo roots: Quickly paint dye onto roots but don’t scrub in excessively to avoid scalp irritation.

• Process fully: Cover hair and allow dye to oxidize on hair for the full time stated on packaging.

• Rinse gently: Wash out dye with lukewarm water until it runs clear. Avoid vigorous shampooing.

• Condition hair: Apply a hydrating conditioner or mask post-dye to seal in moisture.

Following these guidelines will help you achieve stunning, healthy color results on your oily tresses.

Common Mistakes to Avoid With Oily Hair

Dyeing your own oil-prone hair can get tricky. Steer clear of these all-too-common mistakes:

• Skipping pre-color clarifying to remove excess oil
• Applying dye directly to unsectioned, tangled hair
• Failing to coat every strand thoroughly and evenly
• Letting dye sit on roots for too long
• Over-shampooing and stripping hair post-dye
• Using hot tools and heat styling immediately after

Avoid overlap, impatience and overprocessing. And never scrub dye vigorously into the scalp on oily hair. With some care, you can absolutely nail gorgeous color on greasy strands.

Aftercare Tips for Dyed Oily Hair

Once you’ve colored your oily tresses, be diligent with targeted aftercare:

• Use color-safe shampoo and conditioner
• Wash infrequently (every 2-3 days) in cool water
• Apply weekly nourishing hair masks
• Gently blot roots instead of over-scrubbing
• Use dry shampoo between washes to absorb excess oil
• Limit use of hot tools like blowdryers, irons and curlers
• Sleep on a silk pillowcase to minimize friction

Following a strict aftercare regimen keeps those vivid, fresh hues looking rich longer in oil-prone hair.

When to Call a Professional Stylist

While you can definitely dye oily hair at home, some circumstances call for an expert’s touch:

• If your current color is uneven or needs correcting
• To troubleshoot color that turned out wrong on oily hair
• If your scalp is very irritated or sensitive
• For drastic color changes better done in stages
• If hair is severely damaged from prior dye sessions
• When you need a quick color refresh between salon visits

Book a consultation and enlist your colorist’s help for tricky coloring situations on oily hair. Their expertise can get your strands back to health and vibrancy.

The Takeaway

Oily hair and dyeing might seem incompatible, but with the right prep and techniques, you can absolutely achieve gorgeous, luminous color on greasy locks. A little oil pre-dye actually protects the scalp and strands.

Just aim for the 1-2 days unwashed sweet spot. Clarify first, section methodically, process fully and treat hair gently afterward. Avoid common mistakes like overlapping and overscrubbing at the roots.

So next time you want to freshen up your oily tresses with a new bright hue, don’t wait until your next wash day – go ahead and dye that hair! Just be sure to arm yourself with knowledge so you can minimize damage and maximize shine.