We all know someone who constantly changes their hair color. One week it’s blonde highlights, the next it’s fiery red. Eventually, you see them sporting a very short haircut or hiding their damaged locks under a hat. When asked, they blame a faulty box of hair dye or some similar mishap. But the truth is, repeatedly coloring your hair without proper care can lead to serious damage. How many times can you dye your hair before it starts falling out?
Fortunately, you don’t have to resign yourself to one shade forever. You can change your look, but understanding when to stop coloring is key to avoiding hair color burnout and irreversible damage.
Before reaching for that dye, assess your hair’s strength. Shampoo your hair and, before applying conditioner, feel for excessive dryness. If it feels like straw or anything other than healthy hair, refrain from coloring. Perform a strand test: gently stretch a single strand of hair until it breaks. If it snaps easily without stretching, your hair is too weak for further processing. Also, watch out for rapidly fading color. If your color fades within weeks, your hair is likely too porous and damaged to hold the dye effectively.
Beyond assessing your hair’s condition, avoid drastic color changes that inflict unnecessary damage. For instance, avoid going from dark brown to platinum blonde, then layering on deep red, and attempting to lighten it again. This extreme processing will likely result in mushy, damaged hair.
Spacing out your color treatments is also crucial. Wait at least 6-8 weeks between root touch-ups. If you’re planning a complete color change, follow these guidelines: When going darker, wait at least 4 weeks after your last color application. When going lighter, wait a minimum of 8 weeks. Always prioritize assessing your hair’s strength before any coloring service. If you’re unsure, consult a professional stylist for personalized advice.