Ever wonder why hair salons wash their hair after they dye it? It’s more than solving for new colors; it’s dealing with hair colors.

As it turns out, there are some excellent reasons.

Hair that has been dyed, whether it is a simple root modification or a full coat of color, has chemicals deposited on the hair shaft that change the pigment.

After color processing, these chemicals need to be removed before other styling.

Here are some of the most common reasons why it’s essential to wash your hair after dyeing:

Remove excess hair dye

You need to rinse your newly dyed hair to remove any excess color. Excess hair color can oxidize if not removed, resulting in dry, brittle, and damaged hair.

Remove excess bleach before doing any other styling, especially for blonde hair that needs bleaching. Remember that hair dyes used in hair salons are more robust than those you can buy over the counter.

Prepare for the subsequent treatment

Salons wash your hair after dyeing because they need to prepare your hair, which is essential if you plan on straightening or curling your hair directly after dyeing.

In addition, you are washing your hair after dyeing prevents the cuticle from being transferred to expensive styling tools.

Make you feel comfortable

Sometimes, the feeling of hot water and shampoo on your head is just what you need to relax after a long day.

Washing your hair in hot water after dyeing can also help you feel more comfortable. Combined with a scalp massage, this can be a very relaxing experience.

Launch new products

Upselling is a salon’s best friend. Washing your hair after dyeing is a great way for the stylist to introduce you to a new product they think will suit your dyed hair. These can be anything from hair color vitality solutions to new shampoos, conditioners, and other hair care essentials.

They often commission big-name hair color lines to help you keep your newly dyed hair looking its best. By showing you how their products work and how they make your hair look and feel good, they hope you will be sold out and buy them for yourself.

DIY Hair Dye: Should you Wash your Hair after dyeing?

While most hairstylists wash your hair after you dye it, you may wonder if you need to do this if you use over-the-counter hair dye at home.

The answer is yes and no

Ha.ir salon products are often more robust than the DIY hair dyes you can buy over the counter. This means they leave more color on your hair shaft and are more challenging to clean.

When over-the-counter hair dyes are used, there is a much higher risk of shortening the dye’s life or fading after rinsing.

You can wash excess pigment out of your hair strands with cold water. You can also use a color-safe conditioner to help rinse your hair and leave a layer of moisture to help seal the color.

You can choose to use color-safe shampoos to extend the bright colors of your dyed hair.

When should I wash my hair after dyeing?

For any hair type, it’s best to wait at least 72 hours before washing. This gives the hair cuticle more time to seal the color, preventing it from bleeding or washing too quickly.

Washing your hair immediately after dyeing can also make your scalp itchy because the chemicals in the dye can irritate your skin.

After three days, you can use a color-safe shampoo to clean the strands without removing the newly settled color. The milder the shampoo, the better it is for dyed hair.