If you’ve recently treated yourself to a smooth, sleek keratin treatment, you might be wondering, can I color my hair after a keratin treatment? Hair color is always an exciting option.
However, whether you want to go for a different color, cover your grey hair, or just refresh your existing color, timing is key after any chemical treatment, especially keratin. Keratin and hair dye can work well together, but it must be done correctly to avoid damage.
Let’s discuss what you need to know to keep your hair healthy and your keratin treatment’s results lasting as long as possible.
Can You Color Your Hair After a Keratin Treatment?
Yes, you can color your hair after a keratin treatment, but you need to wait. Most professional stylists recommend waiting at least two weeks after a keratin treatment before applying any hair dye.
That waiting period gives your hair time to fully absorb the keratin, settle, and lock in the smoothing benefits. If you color your hair too soon, it can disrupt the keratin coating, making the treatment less effective and shortening how long it lasts.
Why Timing Matters After Keratin Treatments
Keratin treatments work by sealing a smoothing formula into your hair’s cuticle using heat. That outer cuticle layer becomes smoother, more sealed, and slightly more resistant to penetration—especially by hair dye.
If you apply color right after a keratin treatment, it may not deposit evenly, leaving you with patchy or dull results.
Beyond that, chemical treatments like keratin and hair dye both put stress on the hair. Doing them with time in between gives your strands a chance to recover, keeping them healthier in the long run.
What If You Color Your Hair Too Soon?
If you color your hair too soon after keratin, you might run into several problems. As mentioned earlier, the dye could struggle to penetrate the sealed cuticle, leading to uneven color or poor coverage.
In some cases, especially with permanent color, the chemicals in the dye could break down the keratin layer, causing frizz to return much sooner than expected.
Since chemically processed hair is more porous and fragile, layering color on top of fresh keratin increases the risk of dryness and breakage.
Should You Color Before or After a Keratin Treatment?
If you want to refresh your color and smooth your hair with keratin, the best option is to color first. Can I get a keratin treatment after coloring my hair? Absolutely! In fact, coloring before a keratin treatment allows the smoothing formula to seal in your new color, helping it last longer and look more vibrant. The keratin also adds shine, enhancing the overall look of freshly colored hair.
However, if you’ve already had a keratin treatment and now want to color your hair, patience is key. Waiting two full weeks gives you the best chance at even, long-lasting color without compromising your keratin results.
Best Hair Color Types to Use After Keratin
Not all hair dyes behave the same way after keratin treatments. Semi-permanent and demi-permanent colors are gentler and often work better on keratin-treated hair than permanent dyes. Permanent dyes contain stronger chemicals like ammonia and peroxide. These gentler options still provide rich color while minimizing the risk of damage or keratin loss.
If you’re going for a major color change, such as going from dark to blonde or adding highlights, it’s even more important to wait the full two weeks (or longer). It’s also best to work with a professional colorist experienced in keratin treatment on colored hair.
How to Protect Keratin-Treated Hair When Coloring
Once you’re ready to color, there are a few steps you can take to protect your smooth, frizz-free finish:
- Use an ammonia-free dye if possible. Ammonia can be harsh on chemically treated hair.
- Ask your stylist to use a low-volume developer to minimize stress on the hair cuticle.
- Use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner to keep the keratin layer intact and your color vibrant.
- Use a deep conditioning treatment a week after coloring to restore moisture and keep your hair soft.
What About Highlights or Balayage After Keratin?
If you’re thinking about highlights, balayage, or other techniques that involve lightening, extra care is needed. Bleaching opens the cuticle and can weaken the keratin layer.
For best results, get highlights before your keratin treatment. If you must do them after, wait at least three weeks and always follow up with deep conditioning to replenish lost moisture.
Signs Your Hair Needs a Break Between Treatments
If your hair already feels dry, brittle, or over-processed, adding more chemicals—whether color or keratin—can push it too far. Signs your hair needs a break before coloring include:
- Excessive shedding or breakage
- Lifeless strands that won’t hold style
- Hair that feels sticky or gummy when wet
In these cases, hold off on coloring and focus on rebuilding strength with protein treatments and hydrating masks before any additional chemical processes.
How Long Should You Wait Before Coloring Keratin-Treated Hair?
To recap, here’s a simple timeline:
- Ideally, color before a keratin treatment.
- If you already did keratin, wait at least two weeks for color.
- For highlights, balayage, or bleaching, wait at least three weeks.
- If your hair feels weak or damaged, give it more time and focus on repair before coloring.
Can You Color Hair After Keratin Treatment at Home?
Yes, but proceed with caution. Many at-home dyes, particularly box dyes, contain high levels of ammonia and other harsh chemicals. These can weaken the keratin coating, leaving your hair frizzier than before.
If you’re set on coloring at home, choose a semi-permanent dye designed for color-treated or chemically processed hair, and avoid anything that claims to lighten or lift color.
Remember, Smart Timing Keeps Hair Healthy
A keratin treatment on colored hair can work beautifully if you time it right. Whether you want to refresh your current shade or try something new, the key is to give your hair breathing room between treatments.
If you are in doubt, work with a stylist who knows how to handle chemically treated hair to keep it healthy, vibrant, and smooth for the long haul. By following these simple guidelines, you can enjoy the best of both worlds—gorgeous color and frizz-free, silky hair.