Long Hair Color Protection: My 5 Natural Ways to Stop the Color Fading so Fast

Dear reader, I’m Patri, a certified organic cosmetic formulator and health coach, and colour retention is genuinely something you can easily take care of with a few simple ideas, like the below, because so much of what works has nothing to do with expensive products.

Coloring your hair can easily turn washed out and brassy within about three weeks. You will felt cheated and probably nobody has told you the part that actually matters. So I put the below together properly, backed by real research rather than the usual recycled advice.

The good news is that protecting dyed hair naturally isn’t complicated. A handful of small changes to how you wash, dry and care for your hair can make your colour last weeks longer, no harsh salon treatments needed.

DISCLAIMER: you’ll find affiliate links below. If you buy through them I might earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.

If getting your hair generally stronger and thicker is on your list too, my guide on natural thick hair remedies is a good place to start alongside these tips.

1. The temperature mistake almost everyone makes

Your hair’s outer layer, the cuticle, is made up of overlapping scales, a bit like roof tiles. When those scales sit flat, they hold everything underneath in place, colour included. When they lift, whatever’s inside has an easier route out. Heat is one of several things that encourage those scales to lift, alongside high-pH products and the ammonia used in most permanent dye.¹

Quick tip: finish every wash with 20 to 30 seconds of the coldest water you can stand. It closes the cuticle back down and helps lock the colour in.

• Wash with lukewarm water, not hot, for the whole shower if you can manage it.
• End on a cold rinse, even just for your hair, if a fully cold shower isn’t for you.
• Save your hottest showers for days you’re not washing your hair at all.

2. Why washing it less often works in your favour

Every wash strips away a little colour, so the maths is simple: fewer washes, longer lasting colour. A sulfate-free shampoo helps, but it’s not a free pass to wash daily. Frequency matters more than most people think.

Aim for: washing your hair 2 to 3 times a week instead of daily. Your scalp adjusts faster than you’d expect.

• Use dry shampoo at the roots on in-between days to soak up oil without a full wash.
• Try a rinse-only day, just conditioner, on hair that isn’t oily but needs a refresh.
• Braid your hair before bed. It reduces the oil transfer from scalp to lengths, so you can stretch out washes comfortably.

3. The step most people do at the wrong time

Plant oils don’t just sit on top of your hair. Some, like coconut oil, actually move into the hair shaft itself. A well known cosmetic science study compared coconut, mineral and sunflower oil, and found coconut oil was the only one of the three that meaningfully reduced protein loss from the hair shaft during washing, thanks to its ability to penetrate rather than just coat the surface.² Less protein loss means a stronger, more intact hair shaft, and hair that’s structurally sound holds onto colour better than hair that’s already dry and porous.

This works best as a pre-shampoo treatment, so the oil is protecting your hair before the water and shampoo even get near it.

Try this: 30 minutes before you shower, warm a small amount of oil between your palms and work it through the lengths and ends of dry hair. Leave it on, then shampoo as normal.

Good options for this include argan oil, jojoba oil or coconut oil. Start with a teaspoon and add more if your hair is longer or thicker.

• Fine hair: use jojoba oil, it’s the lightest and won’t weigh hair down.
• Thick or curly hair: coconut oil or argan oil can handle more density.
• Coloured and damaged hair: argan oil is a gentle, nourishing middle ground.

4. The colour thief you’re probably not thinking about

Sunlight genuinely fades hair colour, and it’s a bigger factor than most people realise. One study on artificially dyed hair found that UV light accounted for anywhere between 27% and 63% of total colour loss depending on how long the hair was exposed, with the effect compounding when combined with regular washing.³ You don’t need to avoid the sun altogether, but it’s worth treating your colour a little like you’d treat your skin outdoors.

Simple swap: wear a hat or scarf during long stretches outdoors, especially at the beach or by the pool, where reflected light adds to the damage.

• Keep a leave-in spray with natural UV-protective ingredients in your bag for sunny days.
• Rinse hair with fresh water straight after swimming, chlorine and salt water both speed up fading.
• Avoid the midday sun for long periods bareheaded if you can help it, the same rule that applies to skin applies here too.

A little extra help: a drop or two of vitamin E oil mixed into your leave-in or oil rinse adds antioxidant protection, which helps counter some of the oxidative stress UV puts on the hair shaft.

5. What your plate has to do with your colour

Healthy, well-nourished hair holds colour better than hair that’s already dry or brittle before it even sees the dye. If you want to go further with this, my guide on natural thick hair remedies and my 7 simple natural hair growth tips cover this side of things properly.

Focus on: protein, omega-3s and steady hydration. These give your hair the raw materials it needs to stay strong at a structural level.

• Protein-rich foods (eggs, legumes, tofu) support the keratin structure of each strand.
• Omega-3s (walnuts, flaxseed, chia) help keep hair flexible rather than brittle.
• Water, consistently, through the day. Dehydrated hair is more porous, and porous hair loses colour faster.

The quiet habits undoing all of the above

• Washing hair straight after dyeing. Wait at least 48 to 72 hours so the colour has time to settle.
• Reaching for clarifying shampoo too often. It’s brilliant for a deep clean but strips colour fast, save it for once a month at most.
• Skipping conditioner. A smooth, closed cuticle holds colour far better than a rough one.

Where to actually start

None of this needs to be complicated or expensive. Cooler water, fewer washes, a light oil rinse, a bit of sun sense and good nutrition will take you a long way. Pick one or two to start with this week rather than trying to change everything at once, consistency is what actually makes the difference.

References

1. Cruz C, Costa C, Gomes A, Matamá T, Cavaco-Paulo A. Human hair and the impact of cosmetic procedures: a review on cleansing and shape-modulating cosmetics. Cosmetics. 2016;3(3):26. Read it here
2. Rele AS, Mohile RB. Effect of mineral oil, sunflower oil, and coconut oil on prevention of hair damage. J Cosmet Sci. 2003;54(2):175-192. Read it here
3. Locke B, Jachowicz J. Fading of artificial hair color and its prevention by photofilters. J Cosmet Sci. 2005;56(6):407-425. Read it here

Love, Patri xx

This article is for general information only and isn’t a substitute for advice from a hairdresser, colourist or medical professional, especially if you have a scalp condition or sensitivity.