Why Won’t My Hair Take Color Anymore? 7 Reasons & How to Fix It

Is your hair not holding color? Are you tired of it fading? This could be a sign that your hair is damaged and not ready to be dyed yet. We know your hair can be a big part of your identity, so we’ve put together a simple guide to help you learn why your hair isn’t holding color, how to help the color last, and ways to repair any damage. Keep reading for all the tips and tricks on fixing hair that no longer holds color.

Best Ways to Help Hair Color Last
۱. Wash your hair with cool water every other day.
۲. Use products that are formulated for color-treated hair.
۳. Style and dry your hair without using heat tools.
۴. Apply a SPF spray to protect your hair from the sun.
۵. Deep condition your hair before and after dyeing it.
۶. Brush your hair when it’s dry to avoid damage.

Why Your Hair Isn’t Holding Color
You have porous hair. Hair’s porosity determines how hair absorbs and retains moisture. There are three levels of porosity: low, medium, and high. If you have medium or high porous hair, your hair has trouble keeping moisture which, in turn, causes hair color to fade faster. It can’t lock-in the dye.[1]
• If your hair always feels dry, it may be because it’s porous.
• Try adding more hair oils, creams, and conditioning treatments to your hair care routine.

Your hair is damaged. Brittle, split, and dry hair won’t take hair dye the same way healthy hair does. If your hair is damaged, the dye’s chemicals will penetrate the hair cuticles differently, and you may end up with patchy or faded color.
Your natural hair is too dark. Some colors just won’t show up on brown or black hair. If you try to dye your natural dark locks blond or a pretty pastel pink without bleach, you may be out of luck. The darker your starting color, the more work it takes to dye.[3]

You didn’t leave the dye in long enough. The chemicals in the dye have to activate to work. If you’re dyeing your hair at home, make sure you follow the product’s instructions carefully.
You didn’t use enough dye. When dyeing your hair with permanent color, you want to make sure to saturate each and every strand.
You’re washing your hair too often. Whether you’re using semi-permanent or permanent dye, each scrub in the shower can lead to fading.

How to Help Hair Color Last
Wash your hair every so often.
Wash your hair with cool water.
Consider switching up your hair products.
Air-dry your hair whenever possible.
Protect your hair from the sun.
Keep your hair dry when swimming in chlorinated pools.
Ways to Repair Damaged Hair
Use hair masks twice a week.
Deep condition your hair before and after dyeing.
Use moisture-rich hair dye.
Only brush your hair when it’s dry.
Try not to brush your hair too much.
Always use a heat protectant.