It’s that age-old question – does Head and Shoulders fade hair color?
When you dye your hair, it is a commitment. Whether you do it yourself or go to the salon and get it done by a professional, you want to make sure that the color will last as long as possible.
Unfortunately for some people, their color doesn’t seem to stick around forever.
So what’s going on? Is there something wrong with their formula? Are you using the wrong products? Or is it your whole hair care routine?
We’re here to answer all those nagging questions and more.
We’ll also give you some top tips if you’re hoping this shampoo WILL fade your color. It’s not the only way!
Let’s get started!
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Contents
- 1 What is Head & Shoulders shampoo?
- 2 Does Head and Shoulders fade hair color?
- 3 How does head and shoulders remove hair color?
- 4 What shampoo ingredients fade hair color?
- 5 Should you avoid using Head and Shoulders if you’ve recently dyed your hair?
- 6 Watch and learn: What the experts say.
- 7 Does all dandruff shampoo ruin hair color?
- 8 Which Head and Shoulders is safe for color-treated hair?
- 9 How can I remove permanent hair color naturally?
- 10 How to remove hair dye naturally.
- 11 Parting words.
What is Head & Shoulders shampoo?
Head and Shoulders is a brand of anti-dandruff shampoo that’s been in use for decades.
The head and shoulder hair shading range is very straightforward: the shampoo cleanses, the conditioner conditioners. It is an affordable and accessible product line.
It’s specially formulated based on dermatological expertise and contains ingredients that have been tested for safety and gentleness on your scalp.
It’s known for its anti-dandruff benefits, but has anyone ever wondered whether it can fade hair color?
Does Head and Shoulders fade hair color?
Well if you’re a dyed brunette or redhead then the answer is yes.
This flake-fighting shampoo contains ingredients that strip your hair of its natural pigment over time.
Brown and red dyes are notorious for fading fast as their color and hair dye molecules are larger than any other. This means they fade and get removed quicker than any other too.
So while you might not see immediate results, keep using this product to wash your hair and eventually you’ll go lighter.
How does head and shoulders remove hair color?
It doesn’t! This potent formula may be tough on dandruff but it does not remove hair color. It just fades your color over time, much like any shampoo.
The main ingredient in this shampoo is zinc pyrithione or ZPT. It’s an anti-bacterial agent that reduces the spread of dandruff.
It also affects hair color by reducing oxidation, which causes hair to fade. This ingredient removes extra pigment that builds up over time.
If you stopped dying your hair then yes, eventually all the color would be removed eventually!
But these ingredients are no harsher than you’ll find in ordinary shampoos.
What shampoo ingredients fade hair color?
- Sodium lauryl sulfate
- Sodium laureth sulfate
- Sodium chloride
- Zinc pyrithione or ZPT.
Should you avoid using Head and Shoulders if you’ve recently dyed your hair?
Not necessarily. If you’re a brunette or redhead, then it’s best to use a colored-friendly shampoo. This will help to preserve your hair dye for longer.
But if you’re a blonde, then using this shampoo is totally fine – in fact, it might even help to keep your locks bright and shiny!
Things like how often you wash your hair, sun, sea and even the hardness of your water all contribute to how long your color will last.
At the end of the day, it’s all about finding what works best for your own hair condition and color.
Watch and learn: What the experts say.
Does all dandruff shampoo ruin hair color?
Not at all! There are plenty of anti-dandruff products that won’t damage your hair color.
Head and Shoulders is one such product, but it’s important to read the ingredients list before you buy.
Products that contain zinc pyrithione (ZPT) will fade your hair color over time, so it’s best to avoid them if you’ve just dyed your hair.
There are plenty of other anti-dandruff shampoos on the market that don’t contain this harmful ingredient, so it’s worth doing some research before making a purchase.
Which Head and Shoulders is safe for color-treated hair?
There are many variants of this well-known brand available on the market, and some are specifically designed for color-treated hair.
Color Protect Head and Shoulders is safe to use on dyed hair. It contains a patented formula that helps to protect your hair dye from fading.
This shampoo also strengthens hair fibres to help keep your locks looking healthy and vibrant too.
Head & Shoulders Color Supreme Anti-Dandruff Shampoo & Conditioner set.
How can I remove permanent hair color naturally?
Of course, there are times when you WANT to remove your hair color.
Head and Shoulders is one way we recommend in our guide, How to remove hair dye at home.
You also have the option of using color remover or bleach which will certainly do the job!
If you’re looking for more natural remedies using ingredients you have at home, try these out below!
How to remove hair dye naturally.
- Lemon juice – Put some neat lemon juice in strands of your hair where the sunlight naturally hits.
- Honey and cinnamon – Mix 3 tablespoons of honey and 3 teaspoons of cinnamon together with your usual conditioner and leave it on as a hair mask to develop.
- Baking soda and warm water – make a paste and apply it to your hair for 30-40 minutes. You can also mix baking soda and peroxide for extra strength!
- White vinegar – dilute it with a little water than saturate your hair in it for 30 mins. Rinse out throroughly!
- Dish soap and shampoo – mix together and use in the shower as you would a normal shampoo.
- Vitamin C – Crush up a Vit C tablet and make a paste with water to apply to your hair for 20 mins then rinse.
Parting words.
As you can see, it’s important to always use a shampoo that is designed for colored hair.
The chemical ingredients in some dandruff shampoos may be too harsh on your precious locks and will fade the colors faster than normal.
If Head and Shoulders (and dandruff!) is what you have at home, don’t worry!
Just follow up with a good, color-safe conditioner after washing your hair to keep your hair supple and your color locked in. Good luck!