Why Won’t My Hair Hold Color? Reasons and Fixes for Fading Dye

You just left the salon with a fresh, vibrant new hair color. But just a couple washes later, you notice it looking faded and dull already. Sound familiar? If you feel like your hair dye never lasts as long as it should, you’re not alone.

There are a few common culprits behind hair color that doesn’t seem to stick. The good news is there are also fixes you can try to help your color last longer next time.

In this article, we’ll go over the top reasons why your hair won’t hold color, along with tips to troubleshoot each one. With the right hair care routine and preparation, you can get your dye to stay strong for weeks instead of days.

Why Your Hair Won’t Hold Color

Before you can get your color to last, it helps to understand exactly why it’s fading so fast in the first place. Here are some of the most common causes:

1. Porous, Damaged Hair

Hair with a damaged cuticle has trouble retaining moisture and color. The gaps, holes, and tears along each strand make it easy for dye to enter initially. But then it leaks right back out just as fast.

Signs your hair is highly porous and damaged:

• Dry, brittle texture
• Lots of split ends
• Quickly absorbs water
• Prone to frizz
• Over-processed from chemicals

2. Washing Too Frequently

Frequent shampooing strips your strands of their natural oils and deposits color down the drain. For best results, limit washing to 2-3 times per week max.

3. Hot Water

Hot showers cause the cuticle to open and release dye molecules. Always use lukewarm water when washing color-treated hair.

4. Use of Clarifying Shampoos

Clarifying shampoos are highly effective at removing product buildup. But they can be too harsh on color-treated hair and cause it to fade.

5. No Heat Protectant

Heat tools degradation the hair over time, making color fade out quicker. Always apply a heat protectant before using hot tools.

6. Sun Exposure

Just like skin, hair is vulnerable to UV damage from the sun. This can cause the cuticle to crack and hair to lose moisture, leading to faded color.

7. Chlorine from Pools

The chemicals in pools strip color from hair quickly. Always wet your hair before swimming and rinse immediately after.

8. Insufficient Dyeing Time

Permanent color requires up to 45 minutes of processing time to fully penetrate and adhere. Not leaving it on long enough leads to poor results.

9. Improper Developer Ratio

Hair dye must be mixed precisely as instructed or it won’t deposit correctly. Incorrect developer ratios are a common DIY mistake.

10. Your Natural Color is Dark

The darker your natural shade, the harder it is for bright colors to show up and last. They lack enough lightness to grab onto.

How to Get Hair Dye to Last

Now that you know what makes color fade out quickly, here are tips to prep your hair to keep dye locked in longer:

Deep Condition Weekly

Weekly moisturizing treatments will help repair damage and fill in gaps in the cuticle so color can’t escape. Focus on the mid-lengths and ends.

Use Bond Builders

Special bonding products reinforce weak areas in the hair strands making them better able to hold onto color. Apply before dyeing.

Avoid Heat Styling

Give your strands a break from hot tools as much as possible. Air dry instead and limit use to reduce fading.

Apply a Clear Gloss

These provide a protective coating that seals in color between full dye jobs. Use them 2-4 weeks after coloring.

Switch to Sulfate-Free Shampoo

Sulfates rapidly strip color while these mild cleansers are gentler on dye. Massage shampoo only into roots.

Rinse with Cool Water

Cooler temp helps keeps the cuticle sealed tight to lock in color longer. Avoid cranking up the hot water.

Use Leave-In Treatments

Look for leave-in creams and oils designed to lock in moisture and prevent fading between washes. Focus on mid-lengths and ends.

Protect Hair from Sun

Hats, scarves and UV-protectant products help shield strands from harsh rays that degrade hair and cause fading.

Don’t Over-Wash

Cleansing less often keeps your color vibrant for longer. Aim for every 3-4 days instead of daily. Use dry shampoo to refresh.

Get a Gloss Treatment

Salon glossing services act like a color refresher, re-saturating faded strands so dye appears bold and shiny again.

Dyeing Your Hair the Right Way

Along with the aftercare tips above, it’s crucial to prep and apply your dye correctly from the start. Follow these guidelines for results that truly last:

• Strand test – Try the dye first on a small section to check the color and timing.

• Use petroleum jelly – Apply to skin around hairline to avoid staining.

• Saturate strands – Apply dye thoroughly from roots to ends, without saturating scalp.

• Follow timing – Leave on for the full processing time listed on the box.

• Rinse thoroughly – Rinse until water runs clear to remove all excess dye.

• Shampoo gently – Use a sulfate-free, color-safe formula.

• Condition hair – Hydrating conditioner helps seal the cuticle after dyeing.

When to See a Professional

If you’ve tried all the tips but your color still fades super quickly, it may be time to see a professional. A hair stylist can help identify any underlying issues causing the dye to not adhere.

They also have access to salon-quality hair color and developer that adheres better than box dye. Plus they’ll apply it precisely to get the longest-lasting results possible.

Ask your stylist for a personalized plan to prep and maintain your color based on your hair’s needs. With their expertise, you can finally get your color to stay vivid for weeks on end!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should hair dye last?

With proper at-home care, permanent hair dye should last 4-6 weeks before fading or needing a touch up. Semi-permanent dye lasts closer to 4-8 shampoos.

Does hair texture affect fading?

Yes! Very curly and super coarse hair tends to hold onto color longer. Fine, straight hair shows fading quicker since they lack that density and absorption.

Why does my hair dye bleed onto towels/pillowcases?

This is caused by an improperly sealed cuticle that leaks out dye molecules, especially when wet. Deep conditioners can help seal the cuticle better.

How soon can I re-dye after it fades?

It’s best to wait 1-2 weeks between color touch-ups. Too much overlapping dyeing causes damage. Use glossing treatments in between instead.

Get Long-Lasting, Fade-Resistant Hair Color

As you can see, getting your hair dye to last comes down to both preparing your strands properly beforehand and caring for it correctly afterward.

With this complete guide, you now have all the tools you need to troubleshoot color that fades too quickly. Just take it step-by-step to find the techniques and products that work best for your hair’s needs.

We hope these tips will help you get back to long-lasting, salon-fresh hair color that goes the distance! Let us know if you have any other questions about making your dye job last.