Overview of the Hair Coloring Process and Timing
If you're considering dyeing your hair at home for the first time or just need a refresher, there are some key things to understand about the coloring process, including approximately how long it takes. The overall timing consists of preparation beforehand plus developing time once the dye is applied.
In total, you can expect the entire at-home hair coloring process to take about 2-3 hours from start to finish. However, the hands-on application doesn't take very long. We’ll break down the stages and timing for you here.
Stages of Dyeing Hair and Duration
Here is an overview of the major steps involved, along with estimates of how long each stage takes:
- Prep work - 30-60 minutes
- Mixing and applying color - 10-20 minutes
- Developing - 25-45 minutes
- Rinsing and drying - 20-30 minutes
Prep Work Before Applying Hair Color
Take Strand Test
It's highly recommended to perform a stand test at least 48 hours before you intend to color your whole head. This involves coloring a few isolated strands to see how the dye reacts.
Protect Surfaces and Skin
Lay down plastic sheets, towels and wear an old shirt to avoid staining from splatters or drips. Use petroleum jelly on hairline, ears and neck to create a barrier.
Buy Supplies and Prepare Items
Shop for hair color kit, gloves, applicator brush,comb and clips. Wash, section and detangle hair beforehand to save time later.
Read Instructions Thoroughly
Carefully review enclosed instructions for your selected brand and formula for precise mixing directions, develop times and any special application information.
Mixing and Applying the Hair Dye
Add Colorant to Developer
Most box dyes require mixing a colorant creamy base with an oxidizing developer liquid at specific ratios right before application. Combining activates and thickens the formula.
Test Consistency and Color
Before applying to hair, check that the mixture looks the expected shade and has a smooth, creamy yogurt-like texture for easy application.
Brush Formula Through Sections
Working in sections, use tint brush to thoroughly coat every strand from root to ends, re-dipping brush into color bowl as needed to keep saturated.
Set Timer
Once hair is fully covered, start your timer for the minimum developing time indicated on the box instructions based on your hair type and shade.
What Happens During Developing Stage
After the dye is brushed on and working its magic, you'll need to allow 25-45 minutes for the color to fully "develop" and oxidize. This reaction time allows the chemicals to penetrate the hair cuticle layer and alter the structure internally to deposit or remove pigment.
Factor Impacting Develop Time
Variables including your original shade vs target color, hair thickness and texture impact the developing duration needed. For example:
- Touching up roots requires less time than changing shades completely
- Thick or resistant gray hair needs longer to saturate
- Lightening requires more lift so will develop slower
What Happens Inside Hair Strands
During developing the peroxide and alkalizers work together to swell and open the cuticle layer so precursors and dye molecules can move freely into the core of the strand.
Rinse Timing Sets Color
Exactly when you rinse stops the chemical action. Leaving dye in longer risks overprocessing so don't exceed max times indicated.
Rinsing Out Hair Color
Once timed developing is complete, the next step is rinsing the tint mixture thoroughly from your strands. Take care during this sensitive stage.
Rinse Warm Water Only At First
Rinse hair with warm water only to remove excess dye. Using shampoo or cooler water can cause color to bleed from hair unevenly before it sets.
Work in Sections
Rinse hair in manageable sections, using fingers to gently work through strands helping to remove residue. Repeat warm water rinse until it mostly runs clear.
Lather With Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Follow up with a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo to cleanse without stripping color. Fully rinse again before applying any conditioner.
Towel and Air Dry
Blot hair gently with a towel. Allow to finish air drying naturally without heat for longest lasting color.
MaintainingHair Color Between Touch Ups
To help extend the vibrancy of your new shade in between full coloring treatments every 4-6 weeks:
Use Cool Water
Wash hair with lukewarm or cooler water instead of hot to prevent fading between washes.
Shampoo Less Often
Limit shampoo to just a few times per week to retain moisture and color longer.
Deep Condition Weekly
Nourish and protect colored hair with regular conditioning masks to prolong color and sheen.
Diffuse When Drying
Cut back on heat styling damage by diffusing gently at a cooler temperature when blow drying wet hair.
Avoid Chlorine and Salt
Swimming pools and ocean water leach dye molecules rapidly leading to faded, uneven color sooner.
How Long Does Professional Salon Coloring Take?
The timing steps for professional salon visits are fairly comparable to at home dye jobs. Application and developing times will be similar ranges to box kits for most services.
Extra Consultation Step
The key difference is the pre-color consultation process to select best formulas and techniques for your hair goals, condition and lifestyle - roughly 20-40 mins.
Possible Foil Highlighting
If getting touch-ups with partial highlights or lowlights interwoven, multiplying developing times for each batch extends the overall process.
In-Salon Processing
The rinsing, shampooing and conditioning process may also be more prolonged and thorough when assisted by a colorist compared to DIY washout.
In total, expect full color services at salons to require 2-4 hours from start to finish depending on extent of your color makeover.
Things to Remember For Optimal Results
Following some best practices helps ensure you achieve the hair color you want safely and effectively:
- Do an allergy skin patch test before initial use
- Wear gloves during application to avoid stains
- Work in good ventilation and avoid inhaling fumes
- Never leave dye on longer than maximum time listed
- Rinse thoroughly and use sulfate-free shampoo
- Wait 1-2 weeks between color treatments
- Give hair conditioning treatments to maintain health
Now that you know realistically how long the process takes, you can decide whether to commit to coloring your strands at home or book time for professional assistance instead.
FAQs
How long does box dye need to develop?
Most at-home box dyes require 25-45 minutes of developing time once applied to hair for the color to fully oxidize and set. Check individual instructions for your formula and hair type to confirm exact times.
Should you leave hair dye in longer?
No, never leave hair dye on for longer than the maximum development time listed in instructions. Doing so won't make color darker or last longer, but can cause hair damage from overprocessing.
Does hair dye wash out quickly?
When done properly permanent and demi-permanent hair dyes lasts 4-6 weeks before new growth becomes obvious. Some coloring methods like semi-permanent rinses or glosses wash out within several shampoos.
Can you speed up hair dye developing?
No, there is no safe or effective way to speed up the oxidization process to make hair dye develop faster. Any tricks like using heat risk scalp burns and uneven color results.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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