Why Didn’t My Hair Dye (Color) Take on Roots or Ends?
If you like changing your hair color every season, you must be privy to the fact that dye sometimes fails to take on roots and ends.

It might feel frustrating when you spend hours applying the color of your hair only to find the end result botchy. Even after you do everything right, you might notice that hair dye is fading just after a few washes.
To ensure that the hair dye you use delivers excellent results (one that stays on for a long time), there are a few things that you should follow. And there are some things that you should avoid. You asked for help, and now you are in the right place.
Keep scrolling to know what they are!
What Causes Hair Color To Not Sit On Hair Ends And Roots?
1. Color Processes Better On Damaged Hair
You would be surprised to know that when your hair is more damaged than usual, the dye tends to stick well. This is because when you apply a permanent dye on your hair, the chemicals present in the color tend to loosen the outer layer of the hair strands.
So, in case the cuticle layers are not in the best shape, it becomes really easy for the color to attach itself. But that’s not the case when you are dealing with healthy or virgin hair that has not been chemically treated before. Because of that, the strands won’t relax easily and will not allow the color particles to get in.
For the roots and the ends of your hair to take the hair dye, it is essential that the color molecules manage to enter.
Tips To Combat This Issue
You might be happy with your newly colored hair but soon realize that the roots did not hold the dye well. There would be a color mismatch, and it would make you look ridiculous. To avoid this problem, we suggest that you leave the color on the roots a little longer than you would for the rest of the hair.
This might elongate your hair dyeing process, but trust us; you will see great results.
In case it says on the package that you let the color rest for 20 minutes, try to keep the dye on for another 10 minutes. You could even dye the roots and ends a few times and not just once till you are sure that the dye has been absorbed.
Do not forget that the effects of dyeing hair will vary from person to person. This depends on the existing hair color, texture, and condition. If you have colored your hair before, the chances of it taking on new colors are better.
2. Using Relaxers Or Perms
Many women commit the grave mistake of perming or relaxing their hair and coloring it right after that. This is one of the worst hair styling mistakes that can even negatively impact hair growth.
When you go for perming and put on hair color soon after, there are already too many chemicals on your hair. Even if you go the other way round and perm or use relaxers on your hair after a week of coloring it, there’s a chance that the dye will come off.
To ensure that the color does not come off when you wash your hair, leave a gap of at least a few weeks between these two hair styling activities.
3. Over-Processing The Hair
When you let the color sit on your natural hair shaft for way too long, it damages the strand dimension. Don’t get surprised if you see your hair cuticle getting damaged in the process.
But thankfully, there’s an easy fix to this problem. All you need is a clarifying shampoo to wash your strands a few times. This should help the hair color pop out. In case you do not see any results, you will have to take help from a hair color expert.
They will be able to help color your hair evenly and ensure there’s no hair damage.
4. Texture Modification
When you apply color to healthy hair, its texture automatically gets modified. The chemicals present in the dye will affect the hair fibers, which might lead to semi-permanent or permanent changes to your hair quality.
But trust us when we say that it is not always a bad thing. When you color medium brown hair to darker shades, you might notice an added shine. Some people have even noted that they noticed the frizz in their hair disappearing after they colored their hair.
While some experience the effects of deep conditioning after dying or bleaching their hair, others complain that the colors don’t take well on hair tips. We suggest that you consult a hair expert if that’s the case with you.
In case you notice that there’s added frizz after hair coloring, we suggest that you get hair spas done.
5. Deficiency Of Protein In The Body
Don’t be surprised if we tell you that a protein deficiency in your body might cause hair color not to take. This is a very common problem among people who do not maintain a balanced diet. If there’s a protein deficiency, the chances are that the hair coloring process will get altered.
However, there’s a quick solution to this problem. You can simply use a colorless protein filler on damp hair before dyeing it to tackle this problem. On applying a protein filler, your hair porosity becomes better, and it becomes easy for the hair to absorb the dye.
But remember to avoid applying the filler on dry hair; otherwise, your hair might get stripped off its natural oils, which will lead to long-term damage. When you opt to use the filler, continue using it at least for the next few weeks to ensure that the dye stays longer.
6. Over-Shampooing Hair
Hair experts will always tell you that over-shampooing your hair can lead to irreversible hair damage. If you are planning to shampoo color-treated hair every day, let us tell you that it’s a bad idea!
To keep your colored hair healthy and to ensure that the dye stays, shampoo your hair every 3-4 days. This will ensure that you do not face the problem of color-faded hair or dry strands.
Wondering why shampooing frequently is bad for your hair? When you apply shampoo and lather it, the natural oils of your hair get stripped. This not only causes damage to your hair roots but also strips the color off your strands.
If you prefer shampooing frequently, we suggest that you opt for an option that does not lather too much. In case you wash your hair daily, no more than one wash is good!
7. Build-up Of Product
Excessive build-up of hair products (like hair gel and conditioners) might not allow the color to take on the ends or roots when you dye your hair. Build-ups are quite detrimental to the color treatment process as they prevent the outer layers of the hair from holding the dye.
Irrespective of your hair quality and color, always ensure that you wash your hair to remove excess build-up before putting color on it.
Also, make sure that you do not put on a hair mask the day before coloring, as that will make your hair and scalp greasy. The end result will be patchy-looking hair if there are build-ups, and you color your hair nonetheless.
8. Using The Wrong Shampoo/Conditioner
The shampoo and conditioner that you use for regular hair wash might not be the best option when there are permanent or semi-permanent dyes on your hair. You must choose products that will help to enhance your hair color and make it stay on for a longer period of time.
We suggest that you choose shampoos and conditioners that are made specifically for color-treated hair. And use the right products to give it the much-needed shine and glow.
9. Heat Damage
If you use hot tools on hair regularly, you are likely to face a number of hair problems. To combat this issue, you should opt for deep conditioning from time to time. This is specifically essential when you choose to color your hair.
Before dyeing your hair, we suggest that you stay away from using any heating tools for a few weeks as that will help strengthen your hair. In case your strands are already too damaged, it is best that you trim the split ends.
When your hair is strong and healthy, the color will stay for a long time. But if you end up dyeing damaged hair, the chances are that it will turn a weird shade of ombre.
10. Water Quality
We have told you that the wrong hair products and heating tools might damage your hair. But did you know that the same might happen if the water quality is not up to the mark? When the water is too hard, there are plenty of minerals in it, which might strip your hair of natural oils.
And if your hair is colored, these minerals present in the hard water will also make the color fade. If you are caught up in a similar problem, we suggest that you use a water filter.
11. Sun Damage
It is no new information that direct exposure to the sun can cause damage to your hair. UV rays can make your hair brittle and make hair dye fade over time. But don’t worry; there are plenty of ways to protect your hair. The easiest way is to carry an umbrella when you go out in the sun.
Or you can simply use a headgear that covers and protects your hair from damage. Scarves and hats are great in this regard.
12. Washing Hair Too Soon
For many people, the color does not hold well on the roots and tips of their hair because they wash their strands too soon. Before starting the color process, ensure that your hair is not freshly washed or is too grimy. A little bit of dirt is okay, though.
You should make sure that your hair is in the ideal condition to hold the color. To be safe, wait for at least two to three days after you shampoo and then dye your hair.
13. Swimming
Just like hard water has negative impacts on your hair, so does swimming. If you swim for long hours without a hair cap, your hair and scalp are likely going to get damaged. This mainly happens when you swim in a pool that has a lot of chlorine in the water.
When your hair is exposed to chlorine for a long time, the ends dry out, and the moisture vanishes from your strands. This can be pretty detrimental when you have dyed your hair, and it needs to hold color.
If you go through the hair dye process, we suggest that you put on a hair mask and a plastic cap before getting into the pool. That way, you can rest assured that the color has lesser chances of fading.
14. Water Temperature
Many hair experts will tell you that washing your hair occasionally with hot water is good as it helps with opening the pores. And it allows proper deep cleansing of the scalp.
However, note that washing your strands with hot water might not be such a great idea if you have colored hair. In that case, it is best that you use warm water and not hot water. If you have red hair, we recommend that you follow it up with a cold water rinse.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I keep the dye on for the hair dye to take on roots and ends?
There are plenty of hair gurus who will tell you that dyeing your hair will cause irreversible damage. This makes many people scared with the assumption that the longer they let the hair dye rest on their hair, the more damaged their strands will be.
But that’s not true when you do it right. If dyeing is coupled with bleaching, remember that there are strong chemical processes involved and must be given the requisite time. Do not commit the mistake of rinsing your hair too early, thinking that you will be able to prevent some damage.
Things do not work like that, and you will end up doing more harm than good. All hair dyes come with a reaction and action time, and it is best that you read the instructions on the package before applying.
In most cases, the reaction time for hair dyes ranges between 20 and 25 minutes after you mix all the ingredients. And the action time is around 45 minutes from the time you apply the color on your strands.
It is during this time that the dye penetrates the hair fiber and changes the hue of your hair. Therefore, if you decide on removing the dye before the 45 minutes are over, the chemicals won’t get enough time to deposit the color to your hair fibers.
The result? You might end up with blotchy hair color or might see it fading just after a few washes.
Do hair dyes come with an expiration date?
Like everything in life, hair dyes too, come with an expiration date. In most cases, if you store the product well, it can last somewhere between three and five years. However, if you leave a box dye in direct sunlight, the chemicals may get damaged even before the product reaches its expiration date.
And when you use a hair dye like that, the chemicals present in it will fail to penetrate the hair fibers, and the color won’t stick well. Apart from keeping the hair dye in optimum condition, it is essential that you check the manufacturing and expiration date before making a purchase.
It is best to avoid those packages that are close to the expiration date. Degraded chemicals in expired products can cause immense damage to your hair.
Final Words
With that, we have reached the end of this informative guide.
If your hair dye fails to take on roots or ends, we are sure it is because of one or many of the reasons that we have mentioned in this guide. It is essential that before embarking on the process, you understand your hair type well and indulge in care processes accordingly.
In case you notice that the color is starting to fade even after following all the tips, you might require professional help. It is best that you visit the salon and take the advice of a hair expert.
Hair coloring can be tricky and can cause long-term damage to your hair unless you handle it with caution. But don’t be scared; play by the rules and have fun!