Why do they recommend not washing your hair before dying it?

Question

I use a lot of product in my hair when styling and I'm finding that the color isn't taking. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

If you strip all the natural oils out of your hair just before dying, you stand the chance of getting too much colour absorption in patches on your hair.

To be done properly, on the day you want to colour your hair you should wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo the night before. And use NO OTHER products in your hair. Then colour as per package directions the next afternoon.

Most people have at least one day during the week when they veg without seeing anybody. So schlepping around the house for a day without any product in your hair shouldn't be a major earthshaking event.

Answer 2

In addition to the natural oils needing to be there to protect your hair and scalp, you may cause microscopic tears on your scalp while shampooing (by scratching). It can cause an extra sensitive scalp when the product is on, as well as afterwards. I recommend brushing the product out, but again, be careful to not scratch the scalp when brushing, just brush the product loose through the ends. Or, wash the night before and refrain from using products until after your color service.

Answer 3

Most stylists - myself included - prefer that clients do not wash their hair before coming in for a chemical service because most products can be stripped away by the chemicals and the natural oils provide a slight buffer so as to not "overcook" the hair. If you are indeed experiencing color not being able to cut through your hair products, I would suggest a light clarifying shampoo the night before your color service (ie. Halo Purifying, Bumble & bumble Sunday Shampoo). These products will strip away any build up on the hair strand, and the timing will allow for the hair's natural ability to self-moisturize by morning.

Answer 4

To actually answer your question, the reason pre-washing is not recommended is because washing opens the cuticle on your hairshafts which allows the chemical to penetrate too deeply and thus, cause more damage to your hair. And yes, it does also strip the natural oils away from your hair and scalp. The REASON it does this is because the shampoo's Ph is an alkaline base--that's why it burns when it touches your eyes. It drys your hair out just like washing your hands too much with anti-bacterial soap (a strong alkaline base as well) makes your skin really dry and rough.

It is an effect that is not immediately apparent after coloring, but as all long-time boxed-color users can tell you, poor coloring practices lead to dry brittle ends that eventually will not take new color no matter what you do--and in fact, tend to turn a mousey brownish grey color (even on blondes) and really should just be cut off.

Some hair is resistant to coloring and just won't take the color because it is stubborn. Grey hair is especially known for this trait. Boxed color is a much weaker product than professional color and will not work on resistant hair.

Contrary to popular belief, though, even a lot of product build-up is not a big problem prior to coloring--a good hair-brushing will remove most of it. The chemicals in the new color application will also remove a great deal of it with no harm done. Better to leave the product in before coloring, than to wash it out, then color.

As always, as the proud owner of waist-length color-woven blonde locks for more than 20 years, I highly recommend professional color jobs versus boxed color. I never was able to maintain the length of my hair without tatty ragged dry ends until giving up the box for good and committing myself to the expense and pampering care of a professional colorist. Now my hair is glorious from root to tip--and I'd do backflips for my best friend and stylist, Doug, who nursed my hair back to life after a very bad cut and color job 4 years ago. He NEVER washes my hair before coloring it.

Good luck.

Answer 5

Try washing your hair the night before. Your hair needs to be somewhat clean (as in free of product) but needs the buildup of natural oils to protect it. Try washing your hair at night, then dying it first thing in the morning if you have time. Or wear a ponytail and skip all products for a day, then dye and wash it at night. The peroxide in dyes are very drying so you should dye hair when its "dirty" so the oils can protect your hair.

Answer 6

First of all, the directions do tell you to wash and dry your hair if you use alot of product. I think they suggest you wait for 24 hours...but I don't do that. Anyways, washing your hair and scalp kind of makes it more sensitive to the chemicals in the hairdye, so if you are usually a sensitive person, i would suggest waiting the 24 hours

Answer 7

I'd suggest a stain over dye. It deposits the color without using any lifters. Since I have natural highlights when I dye it usually comes out too quickly... and I always wash my hair before I get it colored.. it needs to be clean to it will stick better.

Dani

Answer 8

I washed it like 3 hours before i dyed my last night. The color looks fine.
I use LOTS of products when styling my hair too.

Answer 9

I prefer hair that is shoulder length or longer, And also since that men who like women are more often then not right, they like long hair because that looks more feminine, as most guys have short hair.

Answer 10

wash ur hair like a day befor but DONT put any products in it for like 24 hours befor dyein it.