How To Refresh Your Faded Hair Color At Home

Coloring your hair is fun, but as time passes by, the color starts fading away, leaving a dull look.

If you are wondering how to refresh your hair color or maintain it over a long period without having to visit a hair salon, we have your back. We have brought together some hair tips and hair makeover tricks you can follow to make your hair color look as fresh as the day you dyed it even after weeks.

Hair coloring is an expensive, time-consuming, and meticulous process in itself, hence the last thing one wants is to see the color fade. But it does happen and then you need to refresh it. In this article, we will explore how to refresh hair color and keep it intact without re-dyeing it, through some easy hacks. This can help you save time and money by extending the time between salon visits. Keep scrolling to know more.

How Long Does Hair Dye Last?

How long your hair color lasts depends on the type of hair dye you use and the integrity of your hair. If you use semi-permanent hair dye, your hair color will last for about 24 washes (1). If the cuticle is cracked or damaged, it may last for a lesser time. You can expect the color to last for around 6 months or under your hair grows out if you use permanent hair dye.

Your hair texture and natural color also determine how long the hair dye lasts. If you have highly porous hair, it will likely absorb more color due to the open hair cuticles, but that also means that the dye is more likely to fade away faster (2). When it comes to blonde or light hair, the hair dye may stain the hair and look washed out after some time.

Some hair pigments will fade away quicker than others because of their molecule size. Red hair shades are prone to fading much faster than others (3). Pink can also fade away and leave behind a stained orange tint on light/blonde hair. The hair coloring process can take time, whether done at a salon or at home. Irrespective of the process you follow, proper aftercare, use of color-safe shampoos, and reduced heat styling and excess sun exposure can help keep your hair color vibrant for long. Additionally, consider using a hydrating hair mask once a week to add a boost of moisture to your locks so they look healthier, softer, and shinier.

Whether you have blonde or dark hair, regularly refreshing your hair color will make the dye last longer, leading to healthier and brighter tresses. Find out how to refresh hair color at home and make it last longer below.

How To Refresh Your Hair Color At Home

Refreshing hair color is a process of reviving the pigment of your hair without dyeing it again. This is the perfect way to stop your hair color from fading and bring out that freshly-colored shine. Here we have put together a list of easy tips to refresh hair color at home. Note that while these tips are backed by expert opinion and recommendations, if you feel something is amiss, it is best to consult a professional or go to a hair salon so they can help you solve the problem safely. Also remember that no matter what hair product you use, you need to do a patch test to make sure the chemicals do not give you allergies. That said, continue reading to learn of some tips that can help you keep your hair color from fading:

1. Try A Hair Gloss Treatment

A hair gloss treatment is a semi-permanent, clear coating color that makes the hair look shiny and locks in the color underneath it. It does not contain ammonia and is safe for frequent use, unlike some hair dyes. You can also use an at-home gloss treatment that takes a few minutes in the shower and knocks that dullness out of your tresses.

While it is safe to use, it does have some drawbacks. Here are some potential side effects or risks associated with using a hair gloss treatment.

• Since hair gloss is semi-permanent, the effects of this hair color may fade within a few weeks, requiring frequent reapplications.
• If not applied evenly, the gloss may create a patchy shine or an inconsistent tone, especially on porous or chemically treated hair.
• Frequent use of gloss treatments can create a barrier that makes it harder for permanent dyes to penetrate the hair shaft.

2. Don’t Take Frequent Showers

Frequent showering can cause your hair color to fade away quicker. Your strands are subject to constant swelling and stretching due to frequent hair washes, which can open up the hair cuticle and let the dye seep out. To keep the color from fading, wash your hair no more than once or twice a week.

But there are drawbacks to this as well. Here are some potential side effects of reducing the frequency of hair washing.

• Accumulated sweat and natural oils can lead to an unpleasant smell if the hair is not refreshed with dry shampoo.
• A lack of regular cleansing may clog follicles. This can potentially lead to scalp acne or hair thinning over time.
• If dirt and oil accumulate excessively, hair may become limp and lose volume, making it more prone to breakage.

3. Use A Concealer At The Roots

There are many types of hair concealers available on the market that can help you cover your emerging roots for special occasions, thus avoiding the need to re-color your hair very often. These concealers are not permanent and do not contain harmful chemicals. They wash out with water and shampoo.

Let us go over some potential side effects or risks associated with using a hair concealer at the roots.

• If not applied properly, the concealer may appear patchy or unnatural, especially on lighter or porous hair.
• Some root concealers, especially sprays or powders, may rub off onto clothes, pillowcases, or hands when touched, making for a messy option.

4. Remove The Build-Up

A build-up of pollutants, hair products, or chemicals on your hair and scalp can cause discoloration and dullness of your tresses. Use a good cleansing shampoo or detox product to remove the scalp build-up and make your hair color look more vibrant. You can also rinse your tresses with apple cider vinegar mixed with equal parts water to eliminate build-up. Avoid using a clarifying shampoo when washing fresh color, as this will make the color fade faster.

Before using this method, read about some potential drawbacks associated with removing build-up using cleansing shampoos or apple cider vinegar rinses.

• Clarifying shampoos and detox treatments can strip away hair dye, especially if used too soon after coloring.
• Overusing clarifying shampoos can disrupt the scalp’s natural balance, causing excessive oil production or dryness.
• If used too often or in high concentrations, harsh cleansers and acidic rinses may weaken the hair cuticle.

5. Use A Cranberry Juice Rinse

If you need an organic hair treatment method to refresh your hair color at home, try a cranberry juice rinse. Anecdotal evidence suggests that cranberry juice can make your hair look vibrant and bright, especially if you have red hair.

Here are some potential drawbacks of using cranberry juice to refresh your hair color.

• The natural acidity of cranberry juice can strip moisture from the hair, leading to dryness or brittleness with frequent use.
• Less frequent washing can lead to a buildup of oil, sweat, and product residue, which may cause dandruff or an itchy scalp.

Quick Tip

Preferably use 100% cranberry juice or fresh cranberry puree mixed with water.

6. Rinse Your Hair With A Cup Of Coffee

Coffee is the perfect way to refresh your brown hair color without using any harmful chemicals. Just soak your hair in a cold cup of black coffee (without any milk or creamer). The longer you brew the grounds, the darker the shade your hair will soak up.

Here are some drawbacks of using coffee to color your hair.

• Coffee rinses can be messy and may stain clothes, towels, and bathroom surfaces if not handled carefully.
• Coffee works best on brunettes and may not produce noticeable results on blonde or red hair.

7. Rinse Your Hair With Champagne

What coffee is for brunettes, champagne is for light-colored hair. A rinse with champagne can help bring out the golden tones in blonde hair. Anecdotal evidence suggests that a champagne rinse can also keep frizz under control and boost hair health.

Let us now go over some potential side effects associated with rinsing your hair with champagne.

• The alcohol content in champagne can strip moisture from the hair, leading to dryness and potential brittleness if overused.
• The golden toning effects are subtle and wash out quickly, requiring frequent reapplication for noticeable results.
• If not rinsed properly, champagne residue can leave hair feeling sticky or stiff.
• Champagne rinses work best on blonde or light-colored hair and may have little to no effect on darker shades.

8. Dye Your Hair With Henna

For a quick fix, resort to the time-tested henna. It is a natural way to color your gray roots and delay re-coloring brown or dark red hair for a few months. Henna is a metallic dye, not a color, which means that it cannot mix, or have other colors used on top of it (even if it’s been weeks or months and appears to have washed out) or it could melt the hair and have bad chemical reactions with whatever color goes on top of it. Henna can also protect your locks by combating bacteria on the scalp (4). Be warned that once henna touches the hair, you cannot use any other kind of dyes or colors because of the metallic properties. Also, henna cannot be lifted like other colors can; it will leave the hair green or orange, and the lifting process will compromise the hair. Henna is not a quick or temporary fix.

Here are some risks associated with dyeing your hair with henna.

• Henna typically deposits red, brown, or orange tones and cannot achieve lighter shades or drastic color changes.
• Henna requires several hours to develop, making the process significantly longer than traditional hair dyes.
• While henna can strengthen hair, frequent use or improper mixing may lead to dryness or brittleness.

Quick Tip

Henna can stain your hands and fingers, so wear protective gloves when applying it to your hair.

9. Use a Color-Refreshing Mask

One of the best ways to keep hair color from fading is with a color-refreshing mask. It is available in multiple shades, and it helps in restoring and boosting your hair color. It is also less harmful than chemical dyes.

Here are some potential side effects of using a color-refreshing mask.

• Since these masks deposit color gradually, results may be inconsistent.
• Some formulas may stain hands, nails, towels, or shower surfaces if not rinsed out properly.
• Color-refreshing masks work best on pre-lightened or color-treated hair and may not show noticeable results on very dark or virgin hair.

These are some simple hair care and hair maintenance tips to refresh your hair color at home. But to make your dye job last longer, you need to take proper care of your hair. We discuss how to take care of your colored hair at home easily in the next section.

How To Maintain Your Permanent Hair Color

Some things that you can do to maintain the vibrancy of your permanent hair color and increase hair beauty include:

1. Always use cold water to wash your hair. Hot water opens up the hair cuticle, making it easier for the color pigments to wash out. Note: Permanent color penetrates the cuticle and inner parts of the hair. It doesn’t sit on top. If the color did sit on top and could wash off, it means the cuticle wasn’t lifted correctly when the color process was happening, thus washing off instead of fading out.
2. Every hair wash will reduce the brightness of your hair color. So, wash your hair less often (no more than once or twice a week) to make your color last longer.
3. Using a sulfate-free shampoo will prevent the hair color from fading quickly. Use only hair products suitable or specially formulated for colored hair. These products are usually labeled as €˜color-safe.€™
4. One of the easiest ways to fade hair color is heat styling. Constant heat will make your hair look fried and faded. Again, if the cuticle is compromised, the color can seep out of the strands or fade from the inside out. Using cold air for blow drying and alternative methods of styling besides hot tools helps prevent further damage to the cuticle. Therefore, use heat styling tools like straighteners and curling irons only when necessary, and even then, use them on a low setting after applying a heat protectant to your hair.
5. Avoid swimming pools to keep your hair color from fading (5). Chlorine acts as an oxidizing agent that can penetrate the hair cortex, thereby fading or altering your hair color.
6. To delay the recoloring of your hair, try using color-depositing shampoos and conditioners. These hair fashion products contain a dye that will help in intensifying your hair color rather than stripping it away in every wash.
7. Protect your hair from the sun. The harmful UVA and UVB rays can cause discoloration of your hair and make it look dull and dry (6).

A beauty blogger shared her personal experience about how she deals with faded hair color. She states a simple tip in her blog post, “If you have fabulously funky hair, say… a whole head of bright green… you know what it is like to have your hair fade, and fade quickly. Try mixing in some leftover dye into your shampoo for a quick refresher to your hair’s color. Since I only have streaks… I occasionally take a little bit of purple dye and brush it in with a toothbrush a few minutes before I shower (i).”

Infographic: Natural Ways To Refresh Hair Color

So, you got a hair color after seeing the latest hair trends on your social media feed. But now, your amazing hair transformation is quickly fading and you don’t know what to do. Hair colors fade after a point, and not many can color their hair whenever required. As we saw, there are many ways that help refresh the faded hair color. However, we are here with an infographic that lists the best of the natural ways that you can follow. Take a look.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

In Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you dye already dyed hair?

Yes, you can dye already dyed hair. However, wait for 4-7 weeks before re-dyeing it so that you don’t damage your hair.

What’s the difference between a hair color refresh and a full hair color treatment?

Hair color refresh is a minor touch-up to revive the existing color, while a full hair color is a complete dye treatment.

Are there any risks associated with refreshing hair color at home?

The risks of refreshing hair color at home include damage to hair and scalp, uneven color, and allergic reactions.

What are some common mistakes people make when refreshing their hair color?

Using the wrong product, over-using products, and not conducting a patch test are some of the common mistakes people make while refreshing their hair color.

How can you refresh your hair color without causing damage to your scalp?

Ensure the product is not touching the scalp, use a brush to apply it and thoroughly rinse the hair afterwards.

Illustration: How To Refresh Your Faded Hair Color At Home

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Refresh your hair dye in 5 minutes with the best products! Learn how to keep your dye vibrant and touch up your hair color with ease. Get the best tips and tricks to keep your hair glowing!

Was this article helpful?

Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Madison DufourBarber & Cosmetologist

       

Madison Dufour is a licensed and practicing barber and cosmetologist with 10 years of experience, as well as an entrepreneur running several hair businesses, including MadisonD Barbering and The Exquisite Find Hair Blog.

Read full bio of Madison Dufour

Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief

 

Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

Read full bio of Arshiya Syeda

Ramona SinhaEditor

Ramona 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.

Read full bio of Ramona Sinha

Monomita ChakrabortyBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Monomita 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.

Read full bio of Monomita Chakraborty