The 72-Hour Rule You just got your hair colored and it looks great, but it feels dry and rough. The natural thing would be to use your hair oil, but don't do it just yet. If you are wondering whether you can oil your hair after coloring, the answer is "Yes" but only after some time has passed.
Oiling hair is certainly the most effective method of bringing back the lost moisture, which is the major reason that the hair feels dry after the application of chemicals. Nevertheless, putting it off is similar to washing your newly painted car.
The acids and ammonia in hair color open the "shingles" (cuticles) of your hair to let the pigment in. The entire process of closing the cuticles and sealing the color takes about 72 hours. Interfering with the hair structure with oil or water at that time means pushing the color particles out and thus, a quick color loss will be the result of the hair you have just dyed.
Simply put, not all oils have the same properties. Some of them "penetrate" (they go deep) whereas the others are "sealing" (they stay on the surface). The following tips will help you find the right one:
|
Oil Type |
Best For |
Color Impact |
|
Argan Oil |
Instant shine & frizz control |
Safe (Lightweight) |
|
Jojoba Oil |
Mimicking natural scalp oils |
Safe (Non-greasy) |
|
Almond Oil |
Strengthening brittle ends |
Safe (Nourishing) |
|
Coconut Oil |
Deep repair & protein |
Caution: May lift semi-permanent dye |
Usually, we Indians rely on coconut oil. But it is a "heavy" oil. On one hand, it does great work to your hair, and on the other, it might do some mild cleansing at the same time. In case you have a "fashion color" that is vibrant like red or purple, do not use heavy coconut oil for at least a week because it can make those bright tones fade even faster than a light argan oil would.
In brief, the answer to the question, can I oil my hair after coloring, is yes. It is actually required to do so in order to balance the drying effect of the dye. Just be sure that you wait for the color to "set" (about 72 hours) and that you keep using light oils if you want your hair to still look like it has been done at the salon the first few weeks after.
Q: Can I use oil as a pre-wash treatment?
A: Once the 72-hour mark has been reached, oiling 30 minutes prior to shampooing works as a buffer, thus preventing water and soap from stripping the color, so yes you can.
Q: Should I use "hot oil" treatments?
A: No, you should definitely not use a hot treatment during the first two weeks of hair coloring. Heat has the power to re-open the hair cuticle and thus, the color escapes. Just use room-temperature oil for the massage.
Q: Does oiling help with "bleach" damage?
Abrasion caused by bleaching is the main reason why hair becomes porous (full of tiny holes). Filling the gaps that are caused by the bleach with oil makes hair look less frizzy and smoother.