Can You Dye Greasy Hair? Everything You Need To Know
Discover everything you need to know before taking the leap and dyeing your hair.
Precious Rutlin is a licensed cosmetologist, board-certified trichologist, complementary alternative health practitioner, and holistic health educator with 9 years of experience. She aims to bridge the gap between Western medicine and businesses that want to incorporate a mind, body, spirit approach to their organization’s culture.
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Experience: 11 yearsRamona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal.
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Experience: 3 yearsEshna is an associate editor and a certified skin care coach. She has over three years of experience, a triple main bachelor’s degree in psychology, English, and journalism from Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru, and a master’s degree in psychology from Sampurna Montfort College, Bengaluru.
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Experience: 4 yearsMonomita has a graduate degree in mass communication and video production from St. Anthony's College, Shillong, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the Royal Global University, Guwahati. She is also a certified skincare coach with a keen interest in skin, hair, tattoos, nail art, and lifestyle trends.
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Can you dye your hair when it is greasy? The answer has much to do with the level of greasiness. Extra greasy hair does not support the uniform distribution of the dye, leading to uneven color payoff.
On the other hand, some experts do not prefer washing the hair before dyeing and rather like it to be as is. The question is, how do you determine the level of oiliness in your hair? What is the ideal greasiness that is good to go?
In this article, we will explore whether greasy hair improves the results of dyeing and how to color your mane at home. Let us get started.
In This Article
Can You Dye Greasy Hair?
Yes, you can! Believe it or not, greasy hair can benefit your tresses during the bleach and color process.
So, does hair dye damage hair? And, if yes, does trying it on greasy hair help in any way? The answer is yes. The sebum or natural oils keep the hair healthy and moisturized and shield it from external damage caused by harsh chemicals. You can dye your hair after two days of washing it. In these two days, the scalp will produce some natural oils, and this will not affect the color payoff. However, avoid dyeing excessively oily and greasy hair. But how greasy should your hair be before you color it? We explore the answer below.
Key Takeaways
- Greasy hair is coated with natural sebum that protects it from the harsh chemicals of hair dye.
- It can be tough to color excessively greasy hair that has not been washed in 3-4 days.
- Test the dye on a small section of hair first to make sure it will give you the desired results.
How Greasy Should Your Hair Be Before Dyeing It?
Your hair should be a little greasy before you color it. Ideally, you should apply hair dye about 24-48 hours after hair washing. However, if you have not washed your hair for 3-4 days or more, it will become excessively greasy, and dyeing such greasy locks can be challenging.
However, it does depend on the concentration of the developer that you use. The hair dye is combined with a developer to give better results. The concentration of the developer is mentioned either in percentage (%) or units of the volume. A higher number indicates a stronger concentration.
If you are using a developer lower than 20 vol., your hair needs to be clean. These developers are not as strong as their counterparts and require fresh strands to produce effective results.
On the other hand, developers over 30 vol. are strong and give good results on unwashed and greasy hair. Also, the excess oil shields the hair from damage caused by the chemicals in the product.
But before you dye your greasy hair, keep the following pointers in mind to minimize the chances of scalp and hair damage.
Things To Remember Before Dyeing Greasy Hair
1. Do A Trial
Coloring your hair can be quite disastrous if not done right. Often, you may not get the desired results on greasy hair.
To avoid these issues, practice your application techniques on a clean head of hair with a semi-permanent hair color. This will give an insight into the final look, and you can improve your application techniques to get better results with permanent dyes.
2. Do A Patch Test
You should test the dye on a small patch of greasy hair to:
- Gauge the greasiness of your hair and evaluate the final result. If the color does not catch properly, you have to clean your hair and do another patch test to assess the effects.
- Evaluate your scalp strength. A patch test will reveal whether your scalp is sensitive to the bleach and hair color or not.
3. Ensure Your Hair Is Healthy Before You Dye
The chemicals in the hair dye can damage your strands.
When mixing a hair dye with a developer, always follow the manufacturer instructions. Ensure your hair is healthy before coloring it.
Deep condition your hair at least once or twice a week to nourish and moisturize your tresses. Use a clarifying shampoo once in two weeks to remove product buildup and a gentle conditioner for hair smoothing. This will help prevent any damage.
4. Consider Your Hair Type Before Dyeing
Oily hair often holds color well without the need for a hair wash beforehand. The natural oils protect the scalp so the dye doesn’t not cause any irritation. Consider washing your hair a day or two before coloring your locks if you have oily hair. Those with dry hair may need a hair wash on the day of coloring to ensure better and even color absorption. If you have coarse or damaged hair, you should take time to recuperate your locks and get them in a healthier condition.
Quick TipIn the next section, find out how you can dye greasy hair at home.
How To Dye Your Dirty And Greasy Hair At Home
Step 1: Wear The Correct Clothes
Dyeing your greasy hair can be messy and can stain your clothes. To avoid this, wear an old T-shirt that you can afford to stain or throw away.
Step 2: Wrap A Towel Around Yourself
Wrap a dark towel around your shoulders to minimize any stains.
Step 3: Remove The Tangles
Brush your tresses to remove any knots and tangles. This will make the dyeing process easier and give a better and even finish.
Step 4: Prep Your Skin
Apply oil or petroleum jelly to your forehead, behind your ears, and at the nape of your neck. This will prevent skin stains.
Step 5: Wear Gloves
After prepping your skin, put on a pair of gloves to prevent finger staining.
Step 6: Mix The Dye
Mix the hair dye and developer as per the directions. Follow the exact ratio mentioned in the package for better results.
Note: Do not use metal bowls as it may react with the dye. Use only plastic or glass bowls.
Step 7: Section Your Hair
Divide your hair into four sections with a rat-tail comb. Clip each in place.
Step 8: The Application Process
Start by dividing the first section into smaller sub-sections and apply the dye from the tips to the roots. The roots process the hair dye quicker and should be colored last to ensure even results. Run a comb through your hair to ensure even distribution. Repeat the process in the other sections.
Step 9: Let Your Hair Process The Color
After dyeing your hair, cover it with a shower cap and leave it on as per the instructions provided.
Step 10: Rinse And Blow Dry
Wash your hair after the coloring process with water. Once the dye is removed, blow dry your hair and style it however you like. Do not shampoo immediately. Do it after a day or two.
Quick TipVoila! You now have a brand-new look!
Infographic: How To Check If Your Hair Is Too Greasy To Dye
You can easily dye hair that has been left unwashed for a day or two. However, dyeing greasy hair may affect the color payoff as the pigments won’t stick to the strands. And it leaves your hair more prone to damage.
Therefore, it is best to check if your hair is too greasy to dye. Check out the infographic below to learn how to tell if your hair is too greasy to dye. Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
In short, the sebum coating of your hair keeps it protected and moisturized during the hair coloring process. But, excessively greasy hair makes it tough for the color pigments in the hair dye to latch on to the hair strands. If you washed your hair the day before, that is alright. But if you have not washed your tresses in 3-4 days, then you should not dye your hair when it is greasy. Before you color your hair, perform a patch test and ensure your tresses are in good condition and not weak or damaged. Deep condition your hair to keep it replenished, beautiful, and strong. Keep these points in mind and follow the step-by-step instructions to dye greasy hair at home, without requiring any hair treatments from a salon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you dye your hair with hair products in it?
No, products like gels and sprays prevent color absorption, affecting the color payoff.
Can you repair your hair once it has been damaged by hair dye?
It depends on the severity of the hair damage. If the bleach or dye fried your hair to the point where it looks and feels like straw, your best bet is to cut the damaged hair off and let your hair grow out.
Does hair dye stick better to greasy hair?
Yes, dye sticks better to greasy hair, but the color in the dye can get diluted and give you a lighter shade.
Is it better to dye hair with greasy or clean hair?
Dyeing greasy hair is better as it has natural oils that protect the strands from the harsh chemicals in the dye.
How can I maintain my hair’s health after dyeing?
Add weekly moisturizing treatments like deep conditioners to your hair care routine to keep your hair hydrated. Avoid using heat styling tools for at least two weeks to prevent further damage and let your hair recover. Cover your hair when heading outdoors. Regular trims and using sulfate-free shampoos can also help preserve your color and hair health. Use color-friendly hair products to keep your look fresh.
Illustration: Can You Dye Greasy Hair? Everything You Need To Know
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team
Wondering if you can dye your hair when it’s greasy? Check out this video to know the pros and cons of dyeing greasy hair and tips for achieving the best results.
Read full bio of Precious Rutlin
Read full bio of Ramona Sinha
Read full bio of Eshna Das
Read full bio of Monomita Chakraborty
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