Should I Wash My Hair Before Coloring? Here's What Stylists Say

There’s a lot of talk about how to care for colored hair after your dream shade is locked in, but the steps you take before you sit in the salon chair can be just as important. One question that often comes up is, “Should I wash my hair before coloring?” And it’s a good one to ask – there’s plenty of debate around whether clean hair or “dirty” hair makes the best canvas for a flawless shade.

So, keep scrolling to find out when to wash your hair before color or highlights, along with tips to help you prep your hair for the most stunning results…

What’s the Verdict: Should I Wash My Hair Before Coloring?

It depends. If your hair is very oily, then yes, you might want to wash your hair around 12-24 hours before coloring. However, you don’t want to head to the salon with squeaky-clean roots, so avoid washing on the day of your appointment. Shampooing the day before should leave oil-prone hair and scalps fresh enough for flawless application. Use a mild formula, like Elements Renewing Shampoo , to refresh and revive your hair without stripping it of moisture.

Meanwhile, for normal or dry hair types that aren’t as prone to oiliness, "day two hair" can act as the perfect base for applying color, so wash around 48 hours before your salon visit. You want a little bit of natural oil in the hair to keep it moisturized and protected, but not so much that it interferes with the finished result.

That means, in short, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer – it all depends on your hair type. As long as you arrive at the salon with hair that’s not too clean but not greasy, it’s ready for a fresh coat of your dream shade.

What Happens to My Color if My Hair is 'Too' Clean?

With Wella Professionals , you'll enjoy beautiful, rich color, no matter if your hair is 'too' clean, but there are benefits to keeping natural oils intact. First of all, these oils can keep your scalp shielded during the hair coloring process, as they create a protective barrier without affecting your finished shade. Some believe that a little oil can also help your color penetrate the hair cuticle more easily – another reason to avoid hair washing too close to your appointment.

And What Happens if it's Not Clean Enough?

If you have a lot of oil buildup on your hair and scalp, it may disrupt your color formula, preventing your shade from developing as expected. But it's not just oil that stylists are wary of; styling products like hairsprays, dry shampoos and serums can also affect color adhesion. That's why getting that balance of clean (but not too clean) is so important.

Should I Wash My Hair Before Bleaching?

The same rules apply for lightening hair. You don’t want your roots to be too oily beforehand, but you also don’t want your hair to be too clean – just somewhere in between. You know your own wash cycle best, so before your appointment, choose a wash day that gives you that perfect balance. For many people, this means washing your hair around two days before a lightening session.

What Happens When You Apply Color or Lightener to Damp Hair?

There are some cases where your colorist might suggest washing your hair right before color is applied, such as when they’re working with damp hair to achieve a softer result. Case in point: a wet balayage, which is exactly what it sounds like – balayage applied to damp hair for a subtler, diffused finish. Your colorist could simply mist strands with water to prep for this effect, but they may choose to apply the lightener to freshly shampooed, towel-dried hair.

The same idea applies for certain toners and hair colors. For example, when treating hair with Color Touch or a SHINEFINITY Color Glaze, you have the option to wash your hair beforehand and apply the hair gloss to damp strands. This enhances the translucent finish, giving your color an even softer, more seamless glow, while maintaining that signature shine.

3 More Tips to Prep Your Hair for Color

1. Focus on Condition in Between Hair Color Appointments

The better the condition of your hair before a color service, the glossier your shade will look. That’s why it’s important to work on the condition in between hair appointments. For repair that works for all hair types, ULTIMATE REPAIR is your ideal regimen. It includes a luxuriously sumptuous Shampoo , a creamy yet lightweight Conditioner , and Miracle Hair Rescue , one of the biggest innovations in our salon world.

All three feature skincare-inspired ingredients, with AHA to help rebuild bonds inside the hair and Omega-9 to support replenishing the outer layer. Use them to repair damage in 90 seconds*. You’ll enjoy up to 12x smoother hair** with up to 99% less breakage*** – the perfect base for your dream color.

2. Describe Your Cut in Case Your Hair Needs Trimming First

Usually, hair is trimmed after coloring, but if you’re planning a dramatic cut, it can change the way your stylist applies highlights or toner. In that case, they may recommend cutting your hair before coloring. This gives them the perfect foundation to work with, helping them see exactly where to enhance your look with light and shading. You can still get a final touch-up trim after coloring to perfect the finish.

3. Let Your Stylist Know if You Have a Dry or Sensitive Scalp

If you have a sensitive scalp but you want your color or lightener to start close to the root, ask your stylist to use a scalp-protecting primer. The Marula Oil Blend Scalp Protecting Primer is a salon staple, with a fine nozzle that lets your stylist apply it directly to the scalp and root area. It helps protect the skin during even the most demanding transformations, while preventing moisture loss on dry or delicate scalps.

And, best of all, it doesn’t affect your final color outcome. So whether you’re getting highlights or a bold color-block look, your results will be flawless from (perfectly protected) root to tip.

How Long After Coloring Can Hair Be Washed?

You’ve got your dream shade. Now the question is: when can you wash your hair? There’s no single answer, as it depends on your hair type and scalp condition. As a general rule, wait as long as you comfortably can, until your hair actually feels ready for a wash. Here’s why:

Your hair doesn’t need washing right away. Because your stylist shampoos your hair when rinsing out the color, it’s already fresh and clean enough to enjoy for a few days. Some people with oil-prone hair may feel ready to wash around 48 hours after coloring, while others can wait longer.

Semi-permanent and demi-permanent colors fade with each wash. Even the best formulas have a limited number of washes in them, so shampooing sooner than necessary can shorten the life of your color’s vibrancy. When it is time for your first post-color wash, use INVIGO Brilliance Color Protection Shampoo , which is pH-optimized to help close the cuticle. This locks color molecules in for boosted vibrancy.

We hope these tips help you prepare for your next color appointment. Don’t forget to check out our hair color maintenance products , so you can enjoy your shade at its glossiest, both before and after your transformation.

*When using ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue.

**Vs. non-conditioning shampoo.

***When using ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue, instrumental test vs. non-conditioning shampoo.