How Often Should You Colour Your Hair? Expert Advice for Long-Lasting Shades

There's nothing quite like the feeling of freshly coloured hair - glossy, vibrant, and full of life. But how often should you colour your hair to keep it looking its best without causing unnecessary damage? In this blog, Laura Elliott, Head of Education at Neäl & Wølf shares the factors that influence how frequently you should refresh your colour.

How much can you colour your hair?

 
Generally, you should colour your hair every four to six weeks to keep your locks looking flawless. However, how often you colour your hair ultimately depends on a variety of factors including hair type, lifestyle and application. Below, we’ve listed items that can impact how frequently you need to colour your hair.

1. Hair type

Whether you have fine, damaged, dull or dry hair can impact the frequency that you need to have your hair coloured. For example, fine or damaged hair tends to fade colour faster, so you might need touch-ups more often. On the other hand, thick or coarse hair can hold onto pigment longer, so that you can leave more time between treatments.

2. Hair colour variety

Some shades fade faster than others, with reds and pastels often lasting less longer than more natural shades like brunettes and deep blondes. The type of hair colour product you use can also make an impact, with permanent colour lasting longer than demi permanent and semi permanent shades.

3. Home maintenance

Your at-home routine has a significant impact on colour longevity. Sulphate-free colour-protecting products like our BLONDE Purple Brightening Shampoo keep brassy tones at bay, leaving your hair salon-fresh for longer. Other nourishing treatments like our HYDRATE Moisture Hair Mask can also help keep hair feeling healthy and prevent premature fading. For more tips on looking after coloured hair, read our blog: How to Maintain Coloured Hair

4. Lifestyle

Your lifestyle choices can impact how often you need to colour your hair. If you’re a regular gym-goer who frequently washes their hair, frequently visits places with excessive sun, or often swims in chlorinated water, you might have faster fading. Protecting your hair with sprays that contain UV protection like our MIRACLE Rapid Blow-Dry Mist can help preserve your colour for longer.

5. Application

Where and how you colour your hair matters. Professional salon colour tends to last longer and be more evenly applied, requiring fewer touch-ups than at-home box dyes. An in-salon toner treatment like our GLAZE Demi Toner can work to keep your locks bright, glossy and healthy looking.

While the recommendation is to colour your hair every four to six weeks, your individual hair type, lifestyle, and maintenance routine all contribute to determining the best schedule for you. Investing in high-quality haircare products and professional treatments can help you keep your colour looking fresh. Visit one of our salons and transform your hair today: Find your Neäl & Wølf salon today