Coloured hair fades. The only question is how fast – and you have more say in that than you might think. Most colour loss happens in the shower, not in the sun.
Why colour disappears
The colour pigment sits inside the hair strand, behind the cuticle layer. Hot water and strong shampoos lift the cuticle, and then pigment is rinsed out with every wash. The more washes and the hotter the water, the faster it goes.
The routine that makes the biggest difference
- Wait 48 hours after colouring before your first wash
- Cut down on washes – every other day is often one wash too many
- Wash in lukewarm water and rinse in cool
- Use a shampoo made for coloured hair, such as KIS Color Protecting Schampo
- Follow up with KIS Color Protecting Balsam through the lengths
Top up pigment between visits
A colour conditioner puts back some of what has been rinsed out. KIS Color Färgbalsam and Royal GlamWash are used in the shower just like regular products and keep the shade rich without you having to book an appointment. Start with a short processing time the first time so you can see how much your hair absorbs.
Which colours fade fastest
- Red and copper: fastest of all – the pigment molecules are large and sit near the surface
- Pastel and fashion colours: often last only a few washes
- Cool brown and ash tones: lose their coolness first and turn warmer
- Dark and natural: last the longest
About your hair extensions
Human hair extensions fade too, but differently from your own hair. They have no sebum of their own, so the pigment is more exposed, and since they don't grow, they get no new colour from underneath. The result is that the lengths can drift out of sync with your own hair after a few months. Use the same colour-care products on both and they'll stay more in step.
Frequently asked questions
Can you colour your hair extensions yourself?
Human hair can be coloured, but only darker – it has already been processed and rarely tolerates bleaching. Synthetic hair can't be coloured at all. Ideally, leave the job to a hairdresser who can test on a small section first, since the hair may react differently from growing hair.
Why does colour look different on the lengths and at the roots?
The hair at the roots is new and untreated, while the lengths carry all previous colourings and all the wear. Porous hair soaks up more pigment and releases it faster, which creates the classic difference. More even lengths start with moisture, not more colour.
Does chlorinated water fade colour more than regular water?
Yes – and both chlorine and salt also make hair more porous, so it loses pigment faster afterwards too. Wet your hair with clean water before you get in the pool – hair that's already saturated with water absorbs less chlorine.
You'll find products for coloured hair among our shampoos and conditioners.