Dying Hair After a Keratin Treatment: Your Trendy Guide

Dying hair after a Keratin Treatment can feel like a thrilling beauty adventure, especially for someone like me, a self-proclaimed hair and beauty enthusiast.

As we strive for that Rapunzel-like lustrous hair, it’s essential to remember that each step we take requires time, effort, and, of course, our hard-earned money.

We must tread carefully, though, as combining color and keratin treatments can lead to some unexpected hair tales!

So, join me as we embark on a journey through the captivating science of hair, ensuring your crowning glory remains in top-notch condition.

Prepping Your Hair for a New Shade

Before painting a canvas, artists prime it to ensure the colors show up vibrant and true. Similarly, your hair needs to be well-prepped to absorb that new gorgeous shade you’re dreaming of.

This involves understanding your hair’s structure and how different treatments can affect it.

To begin with, you need to dissolve your natural hair color. This process opens up the hair cuticle, allowing it to readily absorb the new color.

Trust me; it sounds more daunting than it is. You can achieve this by opting for a color prep treatment or a clarifying wash.

These treatments work by effectively removing the build-up of hair products on your hair cortex (1).

I’ve personally witnessed the transformative effects of a good clarifying wash—it’s like a detox for your hair, leaving it primed and ready for the next step.

Once your hair is prepped, it’s time for the keratin treatment to work its magic, smoothing your hair and controlling any unwanted frizz.

After the keratin treatment, you’re all set to dye your hair. But remember, timing is everything.

Check out this helpful video for an in-depth understanding of hair prep, keratin treatment, and hair color:

The Impact of Hair Dye Post-Keratin Treatment

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room. Yes, you can dye your hair after a keratin treatment. The catch? You need to wait.

I know, I know, patience isn’t our strongest virtue when we’re excited about a new look. But trust me; it’s worth it.

During a keratin treatment, a layer of keratin coats your hair shaft, strengthening each strand from the core. It takes a while for this layer to fully penetrate the hair follicles.

Dyeing your hair too soon can disrupt this process, leading to uneven color distribution, frizzy patches, and a prematurely washed-out keratin treatment—none of which you want, believe me!

The Waiting Game: When to Dye Your Hair After Keratin Treatment

So, how long should you wait before dyeing your hair post-keratin treatment?

After much research and personal experience, I advise waiting between 2 to 4 weeks. By this time, your hair follicles would have fully absorbed the keratin treatment.

Most chemical dyes contain hydrogen peroxide and ammonia, both of which play crucial roles in the coloring process.

Hydrogen peroxide initiates an oxidation process to soften your hair cuticle, which is essential for dissolving your natural hair color (2).

This is backed up by molecular scientist George Rogers, who stresses the importance of the hair cuticle in protecting the hair’s inner structure, the cortex, from various environmental and cosmetic factors (3).

Then comes ammonia, the second key ingredient in hair dye, which opens up the hair cuticle, allowing the new color to be absorbed.

If you start this process while the keratin treatment is still doing its magic, you risk a counteraction, breaking open the keratin-created seal meant to straighten your hair.

This disruption can lead to structural damage that affects how the dye takes to your hair.

If you’re looking for some insightful guidance on reverting from rebonded hair back to your natural curls, this video will be a helpful guide:

Dying hair after a Keratin Treatment can indeed be an exciting endeavor.

If you’re curious about what makes keratin so magical, don’t miss my article on “what are the benefits of keratin treatment” for a deeper understanding.

The Holy Grail Shampoo for Keratin and Color-Treated Hair

In my experience, the Argan Oil Shampoo has proven to be a real game-changer for maintaining keratin and color-treated hair. It combines several beneficial features:

• It’s sulfate-free, which is excellent news for your hair as sulfate can strip your hair of its natural oils, leading to dryness.
• It contains silk protein and phytokeratin, wonderful ingredients for nourishing damaged, frizzy, or curly hair.
• It’s suitable for all hair types, and safe for sensitive skin (4). It doesn’t contain artificial colors, fragrances, or allergenic substances that can cause problems for those with sensitive skin.
• The Argan Oil Shampoo also boasts other impressive features, like the presence of antioxidants and hydrating properties, and its ability to add a beautiful shine to your hair.

Also, delve deeper into my informative articles ‘Chitin vs Keratin‘, ‘Collagen vs Keratin‘, and ‘Can I Use Dry Shampoo After Keratin Treatment‘ for a well-rounded hair care routine!

FAQs

Conclusion

Achieving that perfect blend of dyed and keratin-treated hair may seem like a challenge, but with the right knowledge and patience, you can absolutely do it!

And remember, you’re not alone on this journey. Your hair stylist is your best partner in this endeavor, offering professional advice tailored to your hair’s needs.

Embrace these tips, follow the rules, and soon enough, you’ll be turning heads with your stunning, healthy hair!

References

• 1. Bragulla HH, Homberger DG. Structure and functions of keratin proteins in simple, stratified, keratinized and cornified epithelia. Journal of anatomy. 2009;214(4):516-559. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7580.2009.01066.x
• 2. Nagiev TM. Coherent Synchronized Oxidation Reactions by Hydrogen Peroxide. Elsevier; 2006. Accessed August 29, 2022. https://books.google.com.ng/books?hl=en&lr=&id=xGNdpUAcxhsC&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=info:B370Jze5E60J:scholar.google.com/&ots=0TmGqEom1R&sig=7WZlNiRQnvfChlQhJLzea8bh5lw&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false
• 3. Misery L, Loser K, Ständer S. Sensitive skin. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. 2016;30:2-8. doi:10.1111/jdv.13532