Whether you were born with stunning auburn locks or recently dyed your hair a deep burgundy shade, you may be wondering what color your dark red hair will fade to over time. The fading process depends on several factors, including your natural hair color, the exact shade you started with, and how you care for your colored hair. While some fading is inevitable with any hair color, the good news is that dark red hair tends to fade gracefully into softer versions of itself rather than turning unflattering brassy or pink tones.
How Hair Color Fades
When you color your hair, whether through permanent dye, demi-permanent dye, or semi-permanent dye, the artificial pigments penetrate and adhere to the hair shaft. However, these pigments are not permanent. Over time, the color molecules will slowly leach out with washing, sun exposure, swimming, heat styling, and other environmental factors.
As the artificial pigments fade, your natural hair color starts to show through again. Hair color can also oxidize and change tone over time. For example, black hair dye tends to fade to a more brownish tone.
The speed of fading depends on the type of hair dye. Permanent hair color will have some fading after 4-6 weeks. Demi-permanent color begins to fade after 6-12 shampoos. Semi-permanent hair dye will start to fade after just 1-2 shampoos.
How Dark Red Hair Fades
When dark red dyed hair starts to fade, it typically goes through a gradual lightening process. The shades evolve from deep burgundy to red to copper to strawberry blonde. Most natural hair colors will not turn pinkish when dark red dye fades out. However, there are a few exceptions.
Here are some specifics on how fading occurs with different starting shades of dark red hair dye:
Deep Burgundy
– Deep burgundy hair color will fade to a lighter burgundy, then to red, copper, and finally a warm strawberry blonde.
Dark Red
– Dark cherry red hair dye will fade first to a brighter cherry red, then to auburn red, copper penny red, and finally a strawberry blonde.
Black Cherry
– Black cherry hair will fade to a slightly lighter black cherry, then dark burgundy red, red, copper, and eventually a warm blonde.
Blackish Red
– Very dark reddish black hair dye will fade to black cherry, then darker burgundy red, red, copper penny, and strawberry blonde.
Purplish Reds
– Deep purple-red hair colors may fade to a slightly more pinkish red, but not usually solid pink. The color evolution would be purple-red, red, copper, strawberry blonde.
Does Dark Red Fade to Pink?
Most natural hair colors will not turn pink as dark red dye fades out. However, there are two scenarios in which dark reddish hair can fade to an unattractive pinkish tone:
1. If you had bleached platinum blonde hair and then dyed it a dark red shade, you have no underlying pigment. As the red fades, the hair can take on a bright pink cast. To avoid this, choose a more coppery red shade if you have bleached hair.
2. If you have an artificial dye buildup on already color-treated hair, the underlying warmth may become imbalanced as the dark red fades. Using a clarifying shampoo can help remove excess buildup and prevent a pinkish tone.
Aside from these two cases, dark red hair that is conditioned and cared for properly will fade true to its warm, reddish undertones and not turn dreaded pink. Using color-depositing shampoos and conditioners can also help dark red last longer.
Caring for Dark Red Dyed Hair
To keep your dark red hair color looking rich and vibrant for as long as possible:
– Use shampoos and conditioners made for color-treated hair, as these are more gentle and help seal the cuticle.
– Wash hair less often, only 1-2 times per week if possible. Too frequent washing accelerates fading.
– Use cool or lukewarm water instead of hot water when shampooing.
– Limit use of heating tools like blowdryers, straighteners and curling irons. The heat damages hair and causes faster fading.
– Rinse with cold water after shampooing to help seal the cuticle and lock in color.
– Apply leave-in conditioners and masks to boost moisture and prevent the color from oxidizing.
– Protect hair from sun exposure with hats or scarves and use heat protectant sprays before hot tools.
Following these tips can help your beautiful dark red hair retain its richness and keep unwanted pink tones at bay!
How to Refresh Dark Red Hair Color
As your dark red hair dye starts to fade or oxidize, you have a couple options to refresh the color:
Color-depositing shampoos and conditioners
– Look for shampoos and conditioners specifically made for red hair. These contain a small amount of dye pigment to deposit into your hair as you wash and condition, refreshing the color.
Demi-permanent coloring
– Get a demi-permanent or semi-permanent color similar to your original shade. Demi-permanent color will last longer. This will enhance your existing color without fully re-dyeing.
Full permanent coloring
– For the most dramatic refresh, do a full permanent color touch-up with the same red shade you initially dyed it. This will completely re-dye the new growth and replace any faded color.
Color-reviving treatments
– Professional color-reviving treatments can help bring back depth and shine. These are done at the salon and contain a restorative dye or pigment.
With the right maintenance and refresh plan, your stunning dark red hair color can maintain its richness and not fade to dreaded pink tones. Enjoy your dramatic crimson locks!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does dark red hair turn pink when it fades?
In most cases, dark red hair will fade to various shades of red, copper, and blonde rather than pink. The exceptions are bleached hair with no pigment and overly color-treated hair with dye buildup.
What color does burgundy hair fade to?
Burgundy hair dye will fade to lighter burgundy shades, then true red, copper penny, and finally strawberry blonde. With proper care, it should not turn pink.
Does black cherry hair fade well?
Yes, black cherry hair tends to fade gracefully from black cherry to burgundy to red to copper to blonde. It holds its cool, dark undertones.
How long does dark red hair dye last?
How long the dark red color lasts depends on the dye type. Permanent dye lasts 4-6 weeks. Demi-permanent color lasts 6-12 weeks. Semi-permanent dye starts fading after just 1-2 shampoos. Proper maintenance helps extend the color.
Should you tone red hair when it fades?
Toning is not necessary as dark red hair fades. You can refresh it with a color-depositing shampoo or conditioner or get a full touch-up with permanent dye in the same shade.
Conclusion
While some fading over time is inevitable with colored hair, the good news is that rich dark red shades tend to fade gracefully to lighter versions of themselves. With proper maintenance and refresh treatments, you can keep your stunning red hair feeling soft and vibrant. Just beware of using red dye over bleach or overly processed hair, as too little pigment can cause unwanted pink tones. Otherwise, embrace the fading as a natural evolution – dark cherry to true red to gorgeous copper. Your red hair color journey will be beautiful!
