How to Keep Bright Red Hair From Fading

Red is one of the boldest shades you can wear, and colorists widely treat it as one of the quickest to fade. A good routine won't keep it salon-bright forever, but it can stretch the time between visits.

Why does red hair color fade?

Every dye fades, and washing is the main reason. Research on permanent color found that fading during shampooing happens mainly because the dye dissolves in water. A forensic study of 55 red hair dyes also found that all of them faded with washing, with significant fading visible after three weeks of daily washing.

That study didn't compare red with other shades, so it doesn't prove red fades fastest. It does show that how often you wash matters.

What speeds up the fading?

What should your wash routine look like?

Keep it simple:

• Wait as long as you comfortably can before the first wash, and ask Karen how long she'd like for your color
• Shampoo less often, focusing on the scalp
• Use a sulfate-free, color-safe shampoo and condition every time
• Rinse with cool water
• Ask about a red color-depositing conditioner for use between visits

Sulfate-free shampoo and cool water are standard salon advice. They're easy habits to keep, though research directly comparing hot and cool rinses on red dye is hard to find. Washing less often is the step with the clearest logic behind it: fewer washes, less time for dye to dissolve.

How often does bright red need a refresh?

Plan on about every four to six weeks. Red will often soften before then, so think of it as a color you keep up, not a one-time appointment. Your regrowth, your wash routine and how much sun you get will all change the timing.

A shine treatment can help when color looks dull. Karen's starts at $42, and it takes about 15 minutes. If you'd like something softer than a vivid red, ask about copper. For a comparison of how long other shades last, read what to know about vivid hair color.

Does your starting color matter?

Yes. Dark hair usually needs lightening first for a truly vivid red, and that lightening is part of what you're looking after. Hair that's been lightened deserves gentle handling, including limited heat and regular conditioning.

Going red in Georgetown

Karen Shardlow does red hair, from copper reds to vivid fire-engine shades, in Georgetown, TX. Full color starts at $94 for short hair, $98 for medium and $105 for long, and those are starting prices. Vivid reds have no published price, so bring a photo to your consultation and ask Karen for a quote.