topic Re: So what does colored hair ""fading"" actually mean? in Beauty

So what does colored hair "fading" actually mean?

Holly Golitely — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 06:23:44 GMT

Recently had my hair dyed a dark brown with highlights....My stylist said I should expect the color to "fade" and should plan to have it colored again to keep the color vibrant. The re-growth so far matches my roots perfectly after about 5 weeks..no line of demarcation at all... and I would prefer to just let the color grow in naturally, but she said the colored hair will continue to lighten over time and may no longer match??? It is permanent color...so, I was under the assumption it wouldn't really change over time. I have never colored my hair before and have no idea what to expect?

For those of you who color, what am I in store for? Heelllppp?

Re: So what does colored hair ""fading"" actually mean?

KateChopin — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 06:33:49 GMT

It's no big deal. The color will oxidize as you spend time outdoors in the sun, or wash your hair. the color will probably lighten up. You might like that, and maybe regrowth will not be noticeable if you are using a good color proof shampoo, but, it probably will over time and you might want to refresh the color.

Usually they will leave the color on the roots for the reg time and just run it through the rest for a few minutes. For blondes, the fading usually means it will get brassy, or gray will start to show through.

Anytime you color your hair, it will fade, but with good products you can keep it to a minimum. I use WEN or Colorproof.

Re: So what does colored hair ""fading"" actually mean?

Moonchilde — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 06:41:44 GMT

Coloring the hair does not mean you only color it one time and you never have to color it again. All hair dyes fade from people being outdoors, being in swimming pools, shampooing, etc. there are products that will supposedly lessen the fade, but I have never found that they work very well. Any type of shade with red in it will fade the fastest. If you are covering gray, it *will* reappear.

Re: So what does colored hair ""fading"" actually mean?

Holly Golitely — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 06:46:59 GMT

Even permanent color will fade? Sheesh. I have made a commitment haven't I? Yikes. It's a little damaged and I'm hoping to avoid additional processing. I'm using a color safe shampoo and generally stay out of the sun.....

Re: So what does colored hair ""fading"" actually mean?

Irishrose136 — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 06:49:37 GMT

Basically Kate Chopin explained it well. My hair is a dark brunette and may have a tad of gray in there (I keep coloring it so I've never seen that nasty gray.....lol). I'm 63 and think I look better when I lighten my hair a little (about 2 "levels"). I also add highlights for dimension and to brighten around my face.

I use Aveda color-proof shampoo. It slows the natural process of having the color fade from washing and being in the sun and elements. You can also get hair spray that will protect your color.

When I had a different colorist, my highlights tended to "pull up" the red in my hair. And as that faded, it became very brassy. Hated that!

New colorist and no brassiness this time. But it has been 5 weeks since my color and I can tell it has lost some of its warmth. Color on your hair fades just as frequently-washed colored clothing fades. If you protect your clothes and wash in cold water with mild detergents, you slow down the fading. The same applies to your hair. Frequent washing with harsh shampoos fades the color even if it's permanent.

Re: So what does colored hair ""fading"" actually mean?

Irishrose136 — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 06:54:29 GMT

On 6/17/2014 Holly Golitely said:
Even permanent color will fade? Sheesh. I have made a commitment haven't I? Yikes. It's a little damaged and I'm hoping to avoid additional processing. I'm using a color safe shampoo and generally stay out of the sun.....

Did it get damaged when it was colored? Or was this before?

In some cases, coloring can help damaged hair because it coats the hair cuticle, giving it more strength and shine and body. Bleaching your hair will be damaging, but lightly changing the color shouldn't.

I might need a hairdresser to correct me if I got that explanation wrong.

Re: So what does colored hair ""fading"" actually mean?

KateChopin — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 06:55:09 GMT

On 6/17/2014 Holly Golitely said:
Even permanent color will fade? Sheesh. I have made a commitment haven't I? Yikes. It's a little damaged and I'm hoping to avoid additional processing. I'm using a color safe shampoo and generally stay out of the sun.....

YUP---lol. You might be lucky and the regrowth will less noticeable than on some, depending on your color. I color my hair myself---I go to the salon every year or so.

I wouldn't jump on this, but if you do your homework and you are desperate, there are toners by WELLA and other color refreshing shampoos at the beauty supply store. The toners have a knack to them, so tread carefully if at all. Salons used to offer toners, but I know mine doesn't do it anymore. Pity.

Wear a hat in the sun, and use good shampoo. I think WEN or Colorproof (pink, I didn't like the purple) or any other good color safe shampoo will help. And avoid chlorine.

Like I said, using enough of the WEN (613+ seasonal) has given me good results. WhenI use Remoist or an oil (OJON makes a layered oil that is great GREAT on the hair) I put it on my dry hair, using lots of it, cover with shower cap and leave on for two hours or more. Then I cleanse. Great results.

Re: So what does colored hair ""fading"" actually mean?

Irishrose136 — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 06:57:12 GMT

The re-growth so far matches my roots perfectly after about 5 weeks..no line of demarcation at all

If you don't need to re-color to match your new roots to your color.............then I think it's possible to just freshen up the hair with a gloss to give it a new shine.

Yes????????

Re: So what does colored hair ""fading"" actually mean?

AngelPuppy1 — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 11:55:22 GMT

I think it can lose the brilliancy of the color over time and can kind of dull out somewhat. If you color blonde, it can go brassy even. You can help stop this by using shampoo and conditioner especially for color treated hair and if you spend a lot of time in the sun, wear a hat. Also, swimming can alter the color. You may want to apply a conditioner to your hair and slick it back if you are swimming a lot. And always, always, rinse hair well after swimming in a pool to get the chemicals out.

Re: So what does colored hair ""fading"" actually mean?

Holly Golitely — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 23:29:01 GMT

Thank you all so, so much for all of your feedback. It has been super helpful. I'm thinking maybe I can get away without coloring it frequently if I continue to baby it along based on your recommendations. Having literally never dyed my hair I had no idea what was up and was not prepared for the change in texture and what would be needed to maintain the process. I thought my "original" hair was underneath the "dyed" hair and permanent color meant just that. Permanent. Apparently the cuticle is lifted to accept the dye and this is the kind of orange color that starts to show through. Big. Old. Bummer.

Anyway. Thanks again...any other advice is appreciated.

Re: So what does colored hair ""fading"" actually mean?

Katcat1 — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 00:53:57 GMT

It's too bad you did not go with a product like Redken Shades. It's a semi-perm. color that does not change the color of your hair like perm color does & will not damage it.

When anyone first gets their hair colored it is shiny and the color is vibrant but depending on how often you wash it or 3 weeks or so, the color is not as vibrant (fades).

Re: So what does colored hair ""fading"" actually mean?

moonstone dunes — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 01:27:05 GMT

Your hair was colored with A. Pigment B. Peroxide and probably C. ammonia or an ammonia substitute. Ammonia swells the hair shaft to accept the peroxide, which is forced into the cuticle along with the pigment (color molecule) Once the pigment wears off, the altered cuticle is left and you see "fading". The peroxide lifted the cuticle but after the pigment has faded off you may have orange or red tones - this is due to the peroxide action; the pigment has washed out. If you used straight peroxide, no pigment or dye, and let it process for 45 minutes or so, your hair would pull orange/red. The pigment in the dye creates the color.

Re: So what does colored hair ""fading"" actually mean?

moonstone dunes — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 01:33:25 GMT

If you want to perk up your color you can use a temporary, deposit-only color sold at Sally. ION Color Brilliance. There is a clear shade that can be mixed with a regular shade as a glaze. You won't see any root growth. No mixing, no peroxide.

Re: So what does colored hair ""fading"" actually mean?

Buck-i-Nana — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 01:34:38 GMT

It sounds like you had it dyed to brighten or add some depth to your natural color and not really change your color? If that's the case, you could use one of the semi-permanent colors (like the Redken mentioned above), or you might even look at some of the shampoos on that are designed to enhance your color.

Re: So what does colored hair ""fading"" actually mean?

Holly Golitely — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 01:47:01 GMT

I have to say....five weeks in, my hair still matches really well. I'm just concerned because my colorist says that even if I take care of it, color fade is inevitable. I thought if my roots matched (which they do) I could just let my original new hair grow in...Thoughts?

I really appreciate the suggestion about the deposit only color sold at Sally. I will recommend this option to my stylist if I see the need to re-color. I don't want to do anything else which will lift the cuticle and this sounds like a good option. I don't trust myself to do ANYTHING on my own. I am the type that has to have professional guidance from a salon or I get into real trouble.....