Red hair dye is beloved for its vibrant, eye-catching shades. However, red tones are also infamous for fading quickly, sometimes turning unappealing orange or dull brown. This article will cover everything you need to know about how red hair dye fades over time and how to keep your color looking rich and vibrant.
How Does Red Hair Dye Work?
To understand how red hair dye fades, it helps to first understand how it permanently or semi-permanently colors the hair.
Permanent Red Hair Dye
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Uses peroxide and ammonia to open the cuticle and allow dye molecules to penetrate the hair shaft.
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Ammonia swells the hair to allow dye inside cortex.
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Develops with peroxide to activate and deposit color.
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Lasts 3-4 weeks before fading.
Semi-Permanent Red Hair Dye
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Coats outside of hair shaft as too large to penetrate cortex.
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Uses gentler ingredients without peroxide or ammonia.
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Washes out after several shampoos as it only sticks to the cuticle.
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Lasts 2-3 weeks before fading.
What Color Does Red Hair Dye Fade To?
When red hair dye starts to fade, the resulting color depends on the original shade:
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Light reds and copper tones fade to orangey shades.
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Medium reds fade to a more subtle, pinkish hue.
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Dark auburns and burgundies fade to brownish tones.
This is because red hair dye contains a mix of gold, orange, red and brown underlying pigments. As the red color molecules fade, these warm undertones show through more.
Additionally, red dye is prone to fading unevenly. This can leave hair looking splotchy with variations of faded red-orange shades.
How Quickly Does Red Hair Dye Fade?
The lifespan of red hair dye depends on the type:
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Permanent red dye lasts 3-4 weeks before fading noticeably.
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Semi-permanent red dye lasts 2-3 weeks before fading.
Red hair dye begins fading right away with each wash, as the shampoo causes oxidation and removal of color molecules. Some fading may be noticeable after just 1-2 washes.
Hot water, clarifying shampoos, swimming and sun exposure will speed up fading even more.
Tips to Prevent Red Hair Dye From Fading
While you can’t prevent red hair dye from fading entirely, you can take steps to drastically extend the life of your vibrant color:
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Use sulfate-free, color-safe shampoo and lukewarm water.
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Wash hair less frequently, every 2-3 days instead of daily.
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Rinse with cool water to avoid cuticle swelling.
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Limit use of hot tools like blow dryers and flat irons.
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Apply a red-toned color-depositing mask weekly.
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Use a red-hued glossing treatment between dye jobs.
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Protect hair from sun exposure with hats or protective sprays.
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Get a root touch-up and full redo of color every 3-4 weeks.
Dyeing Hair After Red Fade Out
If you want to change your hair color after red dye has faded, you’ll need to remove the remaining red pigment. Here are your options:
Go Darker With Brown Dye
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Choose a dark brown shade with cool ash tones.
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Ash brown cancels out the remaining orange/red tones.
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May take 2-3 applications to fully cover faded red.
Bleach Hair to Go Lighter
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Bleaching required to strip out the red pigment.
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Will take 1-3 bleaching sessions depending on hair’s condition.
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Use a violet-toned toner to cancel orange tones after lightening.
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Allow 2 weeks for hair to recover before dyeing lighter color.
Remove Red With Color Remover
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Use 2-3 times as directed to strip out artificial red dye.
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Will leave hair a yellowish-orange that must be dyed.
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Hair can be immediately dyed after using remover.
No matter what option you choose, consult a professional hair stylist to ensure proper techniques are used to transition hair from red to a new shade. This will prevent damage to the hair in the process.
How to Care for Hair After Red Dye Fades
Once your red hair dye has faded out, your hair may feel dry and damaged from the coloring process. Here are some tips to nourish hair after red dye:
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Use a weekly hydrating hair mask.
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Avoid heat styling tools for 2 weeks post-dye.
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Get a deep conditioning treatment.
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Use an Olaplex bonding treatment.
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Use hair products free of sulfates and alcohol.
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Take biotin supplements to strengthen hair.
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Use a boar bristle brush to distribute oils along hair shaft.
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Get regular trims to remove split ends.
Caring for your hair properly after red dye is crucial to keeping your strands healthy enough for ongoing color services.
When to See a Professional
While you can dye your own hair at home, visiting a licensed stylist for red hair color is highly recommended. The benefits include:
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Expert consultation on the right red tone for your skin tone.
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Strand tests done to assess hair’s integrity.
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Precision application for even, vivid color.
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Use of professional-grade dye and developers.
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Correct timing of processing so hair isn’t over-exposed.
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Aftercare advice tailored for your hair’s needs.
Seeing an experienced colorist ensures you get beautiful, long-lasting red hair color with minimal damage.
The Takeaway
Red hair dye eventually fading is inevitable, but there are many techniques you can use to extend the vibrancy of your color for as long as possible. With the proper aftercare, your hair can still stay strong and healthy despite regular red hair dyeing. Getting touch-ups every 3-4 weeks can keep your color looking rich. When you’re finally ready to try a new hue, consult a colorist to transition hair away from red in a gentle, effective manner.