Put hair dye on wet hair: Yes or No?

There is no denying that most people apply permanent hair dyes on dry hair. The reason is dry hair will absorb the dye much more easily than wet hair. However, that does not mean you can’t put hair dye on wet hair.  Either way, chances are you will not know the exact answer to the question: “Can you put hair dye on wet hair?” Do not worry, you are at the right place. This article will help you answer that question.

Put hair dye on wet hair: Yes or No?

The answer is yes! 

Although we often dye our hair when we have completely dried it. But that does not mean putting hair dye on wet hair is impossible.

In fact, there are still many mixed opinions regarding “Can you put hair dye on wet hair?” As a result, you may get conflicting answers. In fact, hair dye comes in different formulations, so it has different effects on our hair. 

Most work well on dry hair while some are very effective on wet hair. In the rest of the article, we will explore all aspects involved in dyeing wet hair and effective ways to do it.

What are the benefits of dyeing your hair while it’s wet?

You will be surprised to learn that there are many benefits when you dye your hair wet. 

If you are one of those people with thick and coarse hair, dyeing your hair while it is still wet is not a bad choice for you. However, this depends on the skill of your hairdresser as well as the type of hair dye used.

When the hair is still damp, it inadvertently helps distribute the dye evenly. Meanwhile, for dry hair, you need to take care of each hair to make sure the hair dye is evenly distributed. In particular, wet hair can absorb color pigments from dyes better than dry hair. That means hair dyes are more easily absorbed into the strands of hair when they are wet.

Besides, when dyeing wet hair, you need to use a smaller amount of dye. Thanks to that, you can save on your dyes.

Does dyeing wet hair have any disadvantages?

Besides the great advantages, dyeing wet hair also causes a few disadvantages.

As mentioned above, wet hair can help you apply the dye evenly over your hair. However, if you do not apply the dye to your hair properly, you may miss some hair strands.

On the other hand, when your hair is still damp, the water left on your hair can dilute the dye. Thus, the amount of dye applied to your hair is reduced and you will get an unsatisfactory result.

As mentioned above, you can apply the dye to wet hair, but this does not work for all. Permanent hair colors are a prime example of what does not work on wet hair.

The reason permanent hair dyes does not work on wet hair 

In general, its chemical composition is the main reason it does not work on wet hair.

It contains ammonia and hydrogen peroxide which do not work on wet hair. These ingredients help color pigments penetrate the hair strands by elevating the hair cuticle while also stripping the scalp of its natural oils.

On the other hand, as we all know, washing your hair removes the natural oils. Therefore, applying permanent hair colors immediately after will dilute the chemicals in the dye. This can lead to your hair not absorbing the dye well.

Some good options for wet hair

Here are some options that are suitable for wet hair and work well for you:

• Semi-Permanent Dyes: Unlike permanent hair dyes, the composition of semi-permanent dyes does not include peroxide and ammonia. As a result, they can work well even when your hair is still damp.

• Demi-Permanent Dyes: Despite containing ammonia, demi-permanent dyes work well on wet hair. The reason is that the amount of ammonia available in this dye is less than in permanent dyes. Therefore, they can still give you satisfactory results.

Steps to dye wet hair effectively 

• Step 1: Rinse your hair with warm enough water. Use a dry towel to dry your hair, but don’t let it dry completely.
• Step 2: Make sure your hair has enough moisture.
• Step 3: Apply dye to desired area.
• Step 4: Use a shower cap to cover all of your hair and wait for about half an hour.
• Step 5: Use a shampoo that is specifically made for colored hair to clean your hair.

In case you use semi-permanent hair dye, its color will fade after each wash. Fading colors can stain your clothes, please do not forget that!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is it possible to dye wet hair at home?

The short answer is yes. It is important that you choose the right hair dye and do it the right way. As mentioned above, you can use Semi-Permanent Dyes or Demi-Permanent Dyes.

2. Is it better to dye hair dry or wet?

As I mentioned above, many hair dyes work well for both dry and wet hair. Some work well on dry hair while others work well on wet hair. It is important that you choose the right dye for you.

Conclusion

Overall, if you do not want to stick with a dyed hair color for long, dyeing your wet hair with a semi-permanent dye is a good option for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a color to last long, you should apply permanent hair dyes to your hair once it is dry.