Introduction
Many people who color their hair wonder if everyday shampoos will cause their hair color to fade more quickly. Specifically, a common question is whether Head & Shoulders shampoo will strip hair color. Head & Shoulders is a popular anti-dandruff shampoo that contains active ingredients like zinc pyrithione and selenium sulfide to help eliminate and prevent flaky scalp. But do those active ingredients also accelerate hair color fading?
The short answer is that Head & Shoulders is formulated to be gentle enough for daily use, even on color-treated hair. The ingredients and detergents used in Head & Shoulders are not overly harsh or stripping, so the shampoo alone will not dramatically fade hair color. However, there are some factors that determine how quickly hair color fades, and how you use Head & Shoulders can impact color longevity.
How Hair Color Fades
To understand if and how Head & Shoulders may affect hair color, it helps to first look at the factors that cause hair color to fade:
| Factor | Description |
| Oxidative color fading | Oxidative hair dyes react with oxygen over time, causing the color molecules to break down and fade. This occurs naturally as the hair ages. |
| UV exposure | Sunlight and UV rays can degrade hair color pigments, especially lighter shades. |
| Heat styling | Frequent heat styling from tools like blow dryers and straighteners speeds up oxidation and color fading. |
| Shampooing and washing | Frequent shampooing, as well as hard water, can strip and dissolve hair dye molecules from the hair over time. |
| Chlorine | Chlorine from swimming can react with hair dye and cause fading, especially for vivid fashion shades. |
| Physical abrasion | Brushing, combing, rubbing and other friction against the hair can physically remove dye particles. |
While shampooing is a factor that contributes to hair color fading over time, not all shampoos have the same effect. The specific ingredients and formulation of a shampoo determine its potential for stripping hair color.
Head & Shoulders Ingredients
To understand if Head & Shoulders will fade hair color faster, we need to look at its active and inactive ingredients:
Active Ingredients
– Zinc pyrithione – This anti-fungal and anti-dandruff agent binds to the hair to help eliminate fungus and flaking. It does not remove hair dye.
– Selenium sulfide – This slows cell turnover rate on the scalp to control dandruff. It does not strip hair color.
– Pyrithione zinc and selenium sulfide are no more drying or stripping than other common anti-dandruff ingredients like ketoconazole and salicylic acid.
Inactive Ingredients
– Water – Thins and rinses the product from hair. Soft water is best for colored hair. Hard water contains metals that bind to dye molecules and rinse them away.
– Sodium laureth sulfate – A detergent that rinses cleanly and is milder than sodium lauryl sulfate. Harsher sulfates can dry out hair and fade color faster.
– Cocamidopropyl betaine – A conditioning cleanser that helps provide a rich lather. It is color safe.
– Fragrance – Added fragrance does not affect hair color.
– Other minor inactive ingredients – Conditioners, thickeners and preservatives that are color-safe.
Overall, the Head & Shoulders formula is free of bleaching agents, peroxides, or alkaline ingredients that aggressively strip hair color. It cleans hair using a blend of gentle surfactants.
Tips for Using Head & Shoulders on Colored Hair
While Head & Shoulders alone won’t dramatically fade your hair color, there are some tips to follow to help the shampoo be as color-safe as possible:
– Use cool or lukewarm water, as hot water can open the hair cuticles and allow more dye to be rinsed away.
– Limit shampoo to 2-3 times per week, as frequent washing causes more color loss. Use a sulfate-free conditioner to wash hair in between.
– Use a shower filter if you have hard water, as the metals in hard water cling to hair color molecules.
– Apply shampoo only to the scalp and roots to prevent the suds from stripping color from the lengths.
– When rinsing, aim the shower stream at the roots rather than the ends of hair.
– Blot wet hair gently with a towel. Aggressive rubbing can rub off dye particles.
– Protect hair from chlorine, salt water, and sun exposure which oxidize and degrade hair color.
– Use a bonding additive or color-protecting product to seal in hair color.
– Get a gloss or glaze service done at the salon between full color appointments.
By following these tips, you can help even a daily shampoo like Head & Shoulders be gentle on your hair color.
The Effect of Head & Shoulders on Different Hair Color Types
Whether permanent, semi-permanent, or temporary dye is used can also determine if and how quickly Head & Shoulders may strip the color.
Permanent Hair Dye
– Lasts 4-6 weeks or more
– Penetrates the hair shaft and oxidizes
– Resists fading from shampooing
– Head & Shoulders use will not dramatically fade, but may gradually wash away some color over time.
Semi-Permanent Hair Dye
– Lasts 4-8 washes
– Coats the outside of the hair shaft
– Fades faster from washing and shampooing
– Head & Shoulders use may noticeably fade direct dyes over several washes.
Temporary Hair Dye
– Lasts 1 or 2 shampoos
– Sits on the surface of the hair cuticles
– Rinses away easily and quickly
– Head & Shoulders will likely strip most temporary color after a single use.
So permanent and oxidative color is longest lasting, while temporary color fades the quickest, especially with frequent shampooing. Semi-permanent shades are somewhere in between.
Expert Opinions on Head & Shoulders and Hair Color
Here is some input from professional stylists and colorists on their experience using Head & Shoulders on colored hair:
“I have many clients that use Head & Shoulders daily because it keeps their scalp balanced, and their hair color lasts just fine between appointments. Permanent hair color is designed to resist fading from regular shampooing. Just be sure to follow your stylist’s advice on how often to shampoo, and use cooler water and color-protecting products.”
– Sarah, Salon Owner and Stylist
“Head & Shoulders won’t dramatically strip hair color any faster than a regular shampoo. Semi-permanent fashion shades do fade quicker in general. But to get the most longevity from any color, limit washing to 2-3 times a week, use a good conditioner, and avoid heat styling daily.”
– Amy, Color Specialist
“I have many blondes that use the Head & Shoulders blue shampoo since it contains selenium sulfide but also helps cancel brassy tones. As long as you’re getting your hair colored regularly, the blue version won’t fade your highlights any more than a regular shampoo would.”
– Lauren, Blonde Specialist
The consensus among the pros is that Head & Shoulders is compatible with color-treated hair when used properly. Permanent hair dye especially can stand up well to daily use of Head & Shoulders. Semi-permanent fashion shades may require more care to preserve vibrancy.
The Bottom Line
Head & Shoulders shampoo alone will not dramatically or quickly strip hair color, especially permanent and oxidative dyes. However, when combined with other factors like sun, heat styling, hard water, and frequent washing, the use of any shampoo can contribute to faster fading of hair color over time.
To help Head & Shoulders be as color-safe as possible, focus on these tips:
– Wash less frequently, every 2-3 days
– Use cool water when shampooing
– Apply shampoo only to roots and scalp
– Rinse thoroughly and gently
– Use a shower filter if you have hard water
– Alternate with a sulfate-free conditioner
– Protect hair from sun exposure
– Limit use of hot tools
By following a diligent hair care regimen, you can use Head & Shoulders anti-dandruff shampoo while keeping your hair color vibrant for longer. Be sure to communicate with your colorist at your next salon visit about your shampooing habits and any fading concerns you have. With professional coloring services and proper at-home care, you can keep your tresses flake-free and fabulously colored.
References
– Dias, T. (n.d.). Does dandruff shampoo remove hair dye? Master Colorist. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
– Popovic, S. (2022). Can I use dandruff shampoo on dyed hair? PureWow. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
– Zeichner, J. (2021). What is selenium sulfide, the active ingredient in Selsun Blue and Head & Shoulders? Good Housekeeping. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
– Michels, A. (2021). Shampoos that fade hair color. Byrdie. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
– Alba, A. (2022). Everything you should know before using dandruff shampoo on color-treated hair. Allure. Retrieved September 9, 2023.