Does coconut oil fade hair color? You’re likely to ask this question if you’ve recently colored your hair and are a fan of coconut oil as well.
Coconut oil is widely used as a means of restoring moisture to chemically-treated hair all over the world.
Yet many of them worry that they are compromising the hair’s natural radiance in the name of hair health.
In most cases, it’s a valid concern, as you really have to think about what you’ll put in your hair after dyeing.
But, does it really fade or lighten your freshly-colored hair?
No, coconut oil does not fade your hair color, especially if you opt for a permanent hair dye, though, it’s not always recommended with semi-permanent dye.
Tip: Use conditioner, wear a shower cap, and take other protective measures to limit exposure to chlorinated water for long-lasting hair color.
Does Coconut Oil Fade Hair Color or Not?
For those who have been fans of coconut oil, it’s hard to let go of it even after coloring their hair.
Will coconut oil strip my hair color and how long it takes to safely use any oil on your colored hair?
The truth is that most experts unanimously declare coconut oil a useful option for improving hair health, without hurting your hair color.
That’s mainly because coconut oil doesn’t contain any ingredient with color stripping or lifting properties.
Why Do I Notice My Hair Color Fade after using Coconut Oil?
Even though coconut oil has nothing to strip your hair of its color, some people still notice a difference after applying a dye.
Regardless of the use of coconut oil, it’s not unusual for the color to lighten a little bit during the first week after coloring it.
This is because coconut oil only contains fatty acids and no color-stripping ingredient. So, don’t readily blame coconut oil.
Yes, coconut oil, or any oil for that matter, penetrates the hair shaft and may make your hair look a bit less vibrant.
That’s temporary, as you lose this effect when you wash your hair.
In reality, the right use of coconut oil on dyed hair may help the color last longer.
The longevity results from the oil’s moisturizing abilities, which makes the dye work better.
An Important Thing to Consider
If you love coconut oil and have recently colored your hair, you may consider the dye you use before oiling.
You don’t have to worry about anything when you use permanent hair color because coconut oil would do nothing to make it go away.
It’s better to be a bit careful though when using semi-permanent hair dye. This is because the semi-permanent variety doesn’t rely on a developer to prevent fading.
Instead, it just coats your hair in a layer of pigment. It means the surface of each individual hair is now stained with hair dye.
Consequently, your hair won’t end up looking like a muddy mess when you’ve finished coloring it, as the color is only externally deposited.
That’s why your semi-permanent hair dye loses its effects after a few washes.
Now, when you use coconut oil, you’ll end up washing your hair more. Frequent washing is something you want to avoid with semi-permanent dyes.
Therefore, it’s best not to use coconut oil with semi-permanent hair colors, and instead try some leave-in conditioners for better results.
Coconut Oil to Help Your Colored Hair Stay Healthy
In case of permanent hair color, it’s actually beneficial to use coconut oil regularly.
The developer and bleach powder used in hair bleaching and coloring are powerful chemicals that can harm the structure of the hair.
The developer must first enter the hair core and lighten the color for bleach powder to reach it.
A permanent hair dye’s developer relaxes the cuticle, allowing the dye to penetrate the hair shaft and deposit color.
Coconut oil quickly covers the hair shaft and nourishes even the driest strands, thus improving color retention and preventing fading.
When used as a pre-poo therapy before shampooing, oiling can be an efficient way to protect and maintain the color of your hair.
The oil forms a protective layer of moisture between your hair and the water, preventing color loss when you wash your hair.
So, can I put coconut oil on colored hair?
Of course, you can. In fact, you should leave it there for at least 12 hours to experience its beneficial effects.
Tip: Don't ignore the importance of hair masks because masking twice a week can offer healing nourishment to increase shine and repair hair damage.
What Else Can Cause Hair Color to Fade?
Now that you’ve gathered how harmless coconut oil is, especially when stripping your hair of its color.
Does that mean everything else is safe too? Of course, not. Permanent or semi-permanent, so many factors can affect the longevity of your hair color.
Of course, bleach and hair dryers are a big no-no, but here’s what else to avoid.
Stay Away from Hot Water
The cuticles of your hair will open up when you wash them with hot water. If this occurs, the dye may gradually seep out of the hair.
You can speed up the process of your hair dye fading by always washing it in hot water.
But, if you really have to, use warm or cool water when washing your hair to keep the color from fading.
Don’t Use Strong Shampoos
There is a wide range of shampoos available, from mild to strong and everything in between.
The hair will fade more rapidly when you use shampoos with harsh detergents.
Sulfates, included in some of the harshest shampoos, are detergents that can remove the hair’s natural oils and color.
Limit Heat Styling
Using heat styling tools is a leading cause of hair color loss. The heat damages and dries out the cuticle, the outermost layer of hair.
If your hair is damaged, the color won’t be able to stay on for very long, and it will fade more quickly.
Frequent Washing
It’s a no-brainer, isn’t it? Unfortunately, some fading is inevitable; it happens to everyone every time they wash their hair.
This is due to the fact that each time you wet your hair, shampoo it, and rinse it, you wash out some of the colors.
Furthermore, after around 5–25 washes, every hair color entirely fades. It follows that the more frequently you wash your hair, the more quickly the color will fade.
Remember, frequent shampooing doesn’t just hasten the fading of dye. But it also leaves your hair extremely dry, making it brittle, unmanageable, and prone to split ends and breaking.
You can use a dry shampoo instead in between washes to remove excess oil from the hair.
Tip: Use conditioners with butter, oils, and conditioning polymers to add a protective barrier and keep your hair vibrant for long.
Should You Include Coconut Oil in Your Hair Care Routine?
You can use coconut oil for a wide variety of cosmetic and wellness purposes.
It has a wide range of applications, from makeup removal to skin hydration to cookery.
Then, many people use this magic oil to enhance their hair’s vitality and condition.
Here’s why it may help.
It Prevents Hair Protein Loss
The lauric acid in coconut oil is a type of medium-chain fatty acid. Because of its long, straight structure, coconut oil is able to penetrate the hair shaft more effectively.
This is the reason why it is less likely to damage hair protein.
Compared to sunflower and mineral oil, coconut oil produces better results and works more effectively in protecting the hair by limiting protein loss.
Even studies have confirmed that coconut oil is the best option for undamaged, chemically treated, bleached, and UV-exposed hair.
It Helps with Lice Prevention
Many people include coconut oil in their hair care routine because of its ability to treat head lice.
When used in a spray with anise, coconut oil may be 40% more effective than the chemical permethrin at killing head lice.
It Offers UV Protection
You can prevent sun damage to your hair by using a UV filter, and coconut oil is your best friend here.
Putting coconut oil on your hair may be helpful because it has a UV protection factor of 8.
Tip: Make use of coconut oil's anti-microbial properties and try it to get rid of dandruff with ease.
Takeaway
For oil lovers, it’s essential to know the answer to, “Does coconut oil fade hair color?”
Thankfully, they can breathe easy knowing that coconut oil is their friend.
A lot depends on the type of dye you use, but in most cases, coconut oil won’t strip color and may actually help keep your hair healthy.
