Does Hair Color Affect Curls? (Complete Guide)

Despite the versatility of curly hair, I occasionally become bored of my hair. And so to deal with it, I frequently color my hair for a change. 

But initially when I would color my hair, I made mistakes that led to hair breakage and hair loss. Therefore, I am here today to provide you with some tips and tricks so that you can easily avoid the mistakes I made. 

First of all, let us understand this-

Hair color does not directly affect curls. However, the texture and porosity of the hair, which can vary depending on the individual’s natural hair color, can affect the way that curls form and hold in the hair.

Does Hair Color Affect Curls

The humidity level in the area you live in, the products you’re using, and even how you wore your hair while you slept, can all have a significant impact on how your waves change from day to day. 

But do you know which of these is the worst offender in changing the appearance of your curls?

Hair dyes. Yes you heard it right! 

How does hair color affect your curls?

Hair color can potentially affect curly hair in several ways:

1. Hair damage: Depending on the type of hair dye used and the condition of your hair, coloring your hair can cause damage to your curls. This damage can result in frizz, breakage, and dryness, which can all impact the appearance and health of your curls.

2. Porosity: Color-treated hair may have different porosity levels than natural hair, which can affect how your curls absorb and retain moisture. This can cause your curls to become dry, brittle, and prone to breakage.

3. Texture: Coloring your hair can potentially alter the texture of your curls, making them appear looser or tighter. This can be a desired effect for some people, but it can also be an unintended consequence that affects the way your curls look and feel.

4. Maintenance: Colored hair often requires more maintenance than natural hair, which can impact your curly hair routine. This might include more frequent deep conditioning treatments, using color-safe products, and avoiding heat styling to prevent further damage.

Overall, the impact of hair color on curly hair will vary depending on a number of factors, including the type of dye used, the condition of your hair, and how you care for your curls after coloring. 

That is why, I always talk to a professional stylist and do the necessary research before deciding to color my curls.

How should I prepare my curls before coloring to prevent serious harm?

Protein-based hair care products prevent color shock and make it possible for the color to be richer and remain longer. 

I can vouch for CURL KEEPER Silk Conditioner to nourish and strengthen your curls. Moreover, it contains a huge quantity of silk amino proteins, to which the color molecules will adhere and make your curls more manageable. 

It is advised not to wash your hair for 1-2 days prior to coloring it because the natural oils in your hair will aid to prevent sensitive scalps.

One of the major problems people encounter when coloring curly hair is ensuring that the substance is distributed evenly. 

Hair colorists refer to these as “color bands” if the color isn’t applied uniformly to the part being colored. This is when lines of various shades of color may be seen running through the hair strands. 

That is not at all appealing. Make careful to separate your hair into small pieces so that they are simpler to work through and saturate in order to prevent color bands. 

Have plenty of clips available so you can move your hair out of the way when you’re not working on it. Have a front mirror and a rear mirror so you can see the back of your head.

Additionally, hair that has been chemically treated, such as hair that has been dyed or bleached, can be more prone to damage, which can lead to changes in the texture of the hair and potentially impact the way that curls form.

Recommended shampoos and conditioner for curly hair. 

How to color your curly hair without damaging it?

Here are a few tips you can follow- 

1. You shouldn’t wash your hair before dying it. In the event that you wash your hair right before dyeing it, the color may not adhere properly due to the hair being too slick.

Moreover, shampooing your hair just before dying or bleaching it might make the dye or bleach burn your scalp because it removes the protective natural oils. It is advised that you wait 2-3 days before dying your hair before washing it. 

2. Gels and liquids work well for it. If you’re doing it alone, choose gel and liquid color solutions for richer, fuller coverage. Because dense, curly hair is more resistant to foam solutions than liquids and gels, your color may end up looking “wrong” or uneven. 

Choose gel and liquid color solutions for Curly Hair

3. To avoid disrupting your curl pattern or significantly affecting the health of your hair, go lighter gradually when bleaching or lightening curly hair.

4. Choose a semi-permanent color. Because it is less drying than regular color on already dry, curly hair, semi-permanent color is a better look for textured hair.

Temporary or semi-permanent color coats your curls’ exterior, reducing frizz and nourishing curls while reducing cuticle tension. 

5. Treat consistently. Curly hair normally requires a lot of moisture, but color-treated curly hair requires additional moisture maintenance on a regular basis. Use a safe, organic bamboo protein treatment on color-treated hair to condition it and prevent it from getting dry and brittle.

6. Keep your color safe. The second half of the battle is keeping your colored hair looking good. To maintain the vibrancy of your color and prevent fading and bleeding, use color-protecting shampoos.

Shampoos that protect colors usually don’t contain abrasive ingredients like sulphates and instead moisturise and shield hair.

Aftercare of your curly dyed hair

Knowing proper ways to care for your hair after dyeing is essential to make it healthy and manageable. 

Here are some tips for aftercare of your curly dyed hair:

1. Use a color-safe shampoo and conditioner: Regular shampoos can strip your hair of color and moisture, so it’s important to use a shampoo and conditioner that are specifically formulated for color-treated hair. Look for products that are sulfate-free and contain ingredients that nourish and moisturize your curls.

2. Deep condition regularly: Coloring your hair can leave it dry and brittle, so it’s important to use a deep conditioner once a week to restore moisture and strengthen your curls. For more moisture, you can consider applying a leave-in conditioner. 

3. Avoid using heat styling tools: Using heat styling products might further harm your coloured curls, thus it is recommended to stay away from them entirely. If you must use heated styling equipment, prevent your hair from harm by using a heat protectant spray.

4. Protect your hair from the sun: Sun exposure can cause your hair color to fade, so it’s important to protect your curls from UV rays. You can wear a hat or scarf, or use a hair product that contains SPF.

5. Don’t over-wash your hair: Washing your hair too frequently can cause your hair color to fade faster, so it’s best to limit your washes to every 2-3 days. You can also try co-washing (washing with conditioner only) to minimize color loss.

6. Avoid chlorine and saltwater: Chlorine and saltwater can cause your hair color to fade and dry out your curls. If you’re swimming, it’s best to wear a swim cap or rinse your hair with fresh water immediately after swimming.

By following these tips, you can help maintain the health and vibrancy of your colored curls. It’s also important to get regular trims to prevent split ends and breakage, and to talk to a professional stylist if you have any concerns about the health of your hair.

FAQs-

1. Do I anticipate a change in my curl pattern after dying it? 

Curl pattern alteration is definitely a significant possibility. The likelihood that the dye will affect the flexibility of your hair increases with the color’s strength. The capacity of the hair to stretch without breaking is known as elasticity. Your curls’ “S” pattern will deteriorate if the color formula is too potent.

2. What if I color my hair without going to the salon?

Although it is more expensive, a professional will be able to understand the technical stages involved in coloring the hair. Results-wise, box dyes typically produce positive outcomes. 

An expert, however, would know how to modify various coloring methods and color tones for various hair types. A professional will know how to change the color to produce the ideal result for your hair while maintaining its health despite the fact that a person may have multiple different hair patterns.

To sum it up, have fun with your hair. Remember that if you take proper care of your hair, it won’t get damaged. 

Make sure to use the right products to prevent damage to your curls. 

While bleach and other powerful colors can change the color of your hair more quickly, they are bad for your hair. Use gentler dyes and go carefully while coloring your hair. 

To prevent color damage to your hair, heed our advice and the advice of a professional. 

Finally, to maintain your bouncy curls, take care of your colored curly hair with nourishing and repairing treatments!