Can You Colour Your Hair After a Keratin Treatment?

Last updated on July 4th, 2025 at 03:06 pm

A keratin treatment helps smooth and straighten hair. It works by adding a special protein called keratin to your hair. This makes hair softer, shinier, and easier to manage. Many people love it because it reduces frizz and makes hair look sleek. 

Why Choose a Keratin Treatment?

• Effortless Styling – Makes hair more manageable, reducing styling time.
• Frizz Control – Eliminates frizz, even in humid conditions.
• Smooth & Sleek Finish – Leaves hair silky, shiny, and polished.
• Long-Lasting Results – Effects can last up to 3-6 months with proper care.
• Stronger Hair – Strengthens hair strands, reducing breakage and split ends.
• Humidity Resistance – Keeps hair smooth and frizz-free in any weather.
• Compatible with Colored Hair – Can be done on dyed or highlighted hair.
• Reduces Blow-Dry Time – Speeds up drying, cutting down heat exposure.
• Versatile for All Hair Types – Suitable for curly, wavy, or frizzy hair.
• Adds Shine & Softness – Enhances natural gloss for a healthier look.

But what happens if you want to colour your hair after getting a keratin treatment? Can you colour your hair after a keratin treatment without damaging it? The concern is that the chemicals in hair dye might ruin the effects of the keratin treatment

In this blog, you will learn the answers to this question and how to get the best results safely.

Can You Colour Your Hair After a Keratin Treatment? Yes or No!

The answer is both yes and no—it all depends on the situation.

In this article, we’ll guide you like your personal hair consultant to help you make the best choice for your hair.

What do the experts say?

Professional hairstylists recommend waiting at least two weeks after a keratin treatment before coloring your hair.

Before that? Don’t even think about it!

If you’re truly passionate about hair color, waiting three weeks is an even safer bet. This ensures your silky, smooth strands are ready to take on a fresh pop of color without compromising the keratin treatment’s effects.

Adding a new hue after this waiting period can completely elevate your look—transforming your hair from stunning to absolutely breathtaking!

It enhances dimension, boosts shine, and gives your hairstyle an unmatched vibrancy.

So, once your keratin treatment has fully settled, coloring your hair can be the perfect way to refresh your style and make a bold statement!

How Does Hair Coloring Work?

Before diving in, let’s first understand how hair color penetrates your strands.

Two key components play a crucial role in this process:

• Hydrogen peroxide helps break down natural hair pigment by softening the cuticle.
• Ammonia lifts the cuticle, allowing new color to be absorbed.

To ensure this process works effectively, prepping your hair with a clarifying shampoo or color prep treatment is essential.

Why is this step important?

A clarifying shampoo eliminates product buildup that can prevent color pigments from settling into the hair cortex.

For the best results, your hair needs to fully absorb the pigments—meaning nothing should block the color molecules from penetrating the strands.

What Happens If You Color Your Hair After a Keratin Treatment?- the conflict

Right after a keratin treatment, your hair is coated with a thin layer of keratin that takes about two weeks to fully bond and penetrate the strands.

This layer strengthens each hair fiber from the inside out, making the first two weeks crucial for ensuring the longevity and effectiveness of your treatment.

Anything that interferes with this bonding process can lead to unexpected results, such as:

• Tangled patches
• Uneven texture or keratin washing out too soon

For this reason, it’s essential to leave your hair untouched for the first two weeks, allowing the keratin to settle properly.

That’s also why your stylist recommends using a mild, sulfate-free shampoo post-treatment.

Why?

• It’s gentler on your hair.
• It won’t disrupt the keratin-binding process or leave unwanted buildup.

Now, what happens if you dye your hair during this period?

The answer is simple: coloring your hair after a keratin treatment is ineffective.

Why?

• The color won’t absorb properly.
• You may end up with undesirable results.
• It’s a complete waste of money since the pigment will only sit on the surface.

The same applies to highlights and bleaching—they simply won’t work as expected.

This is where keratin and coloring gets conflicting..Later in this article we will answer all your concern questions ,making your decision easy

Timing Your Colouring Appointment: When Is the Best Time to Colour After Keratin?

Timing is key when colouring your hair after a keratin treatment. It’s important to wait before colouring to protect the results of your treatment. Colouring too soon can make your hair lose its smoothness and shine. The keratin needs time to fully set and work in your hair. If you dye too early, you risk damaging your hair or stripping away the benefits of the treatment.

Experts recommend waiting at least 2 weeks before colouring your hair after a keratin treatment. This gives your hair enough time to lock in the keratin and get the best results. For treatments like Brazilian Blowouts, it’s best to wait 2 weeks as well. Other smoothing treatments may require a similar wait.

What will happen to my recent hair color after getting Keratin

-After getting keratin on colored hair, the color fades.Incase of asian hair ,color might also turn little orange. So when it comes to hair dye it is recommended to get a little dark color so it reaches to the balance tone after keratin. or you can tone the color after keratin with mild developers

-When trying to color after keratin, try to opt for only color deposit treatment with low strenght developers like 5 vols, 10 vols, and 20 vols

_Lifting colors with 30 vols and 40 vols will strip keratin from your hair( this includes direct lift dyes too) .Hence, total waste of money.

How can i go for highlights after Keratin

Bleaching after a keratin treatment is not recommended, as it can cause the keratin to fade. However, you can opt for highlights before the keratin treatment, though they may develop an orange tone during the process. The best way to correct this is by toning the orange highlights after the keratin treatment using a mild developer. This ensures the best color results while preserving the longevity of your keratin treatment.

Can I continue my regular gray coverage routine after a keratin treatment?

Yes, you can continue your regular gray coverage routine after a keratin treatment, as the color is applied mainly to the roots, minimizing any impact on the treated hair. To ensure the best results and maintain the keratin’s longevity, use a mild developer (10 or 20 volume) for a gentler process that won’t compromise the smoothness and strength of your hair.

How to Safely Colour Your Hair After a Keratin Treatment?

Now that you understand the importance of timing and choosing the right approach, let’s dive into the best practices for colouring your hair after a keratin treatment. These steps will help you achieve vibrant colour while preserving the benefits of your keratin treatment.

1. Wait 2 Weeks Before Colouring

Wait at least 2 weeks after a keratin treatment before colouring. This allows the keratin to fully settle and ensures the best results without damaging your hair.

2. Use Gentle Hair Dyes

Opt for ammonia-free or semi-permanent dyes. These are less harsh and will help preserve the smoothness from your keratin treatment.

3. Choose Low-Impact Techniques

Consider single tone dyes with low volume developers , glossing , tonning , and grey cover techniques. These methods are less damaging and work well with keratin-treated hair, preserving its health and shine.

4. Care for Your Hair Before and After

Before colouring, use a deep conditioner. After colouring, stick to sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners to protect both your hair colour and keratin treatment.

5. Protect from Heat Styling

Limit heat styling tools. Always apply a heat protectant before using flat irons or blow dryers to prevent damage and maintain your keratin treatment.

What Type of Hair Colour Is Best for Keratin-Treated Hair? 

Choosing the right type of colour will ensure that you preserve the smoothness and shine of your treatment. Let’s explore the best choices for vibrant, healthy colour without compromising your keratin treatment.

1. Ammonia-Free Dyes

Ammonia-free dyes are the best option for keratin-treated hair. They are gentle and don’t strip away the smoothness of the keratin treatment. These dyes provide a rich colour without causing damage or dryness to your hair.

2. Semi-Permanent Hair Colour

Semi-permanent hair colour is another great choice. It contains fewer chemicals and fades naturally. This type of dye helps maintain the softness and shine from your keratin treatment while adding colour.

3. Bleach free Balayage and lowlights

Balayage and highlights are perfect for keratin-treated hair. These techniques use minimal dye and focus on adding soft, natural-looking colour. They don’t overwhelm your hair with chemicals, allowing the keratin treatment to shine.

The Risks of Colouring Your Hair After a Keratin Treatment

Before diving into the risks, it’s important to understand how colouring your hair too soon after a keratin treatment can affect your results. While it may seem tempting to dye your hair right away, doing so can lead to various unwanted issues.

Hair Breakage

Colouring your hair too soon after a keratin treatment can lead to hair breakage. The chemicals in the dye can weaken hair that has just been treated with keratin. When the hair is still settling, it’s more fragile. If you apply colour too early, the stress from the dye can cause the hair to snap or break easily.

Dryness

If you colour your hair right after a keratin treatment, your hair can become dry. The keratin treatment makes hair smooth, but it needs time to lock in. Colouring too soon can strip moisture from the hair. This leads to dryness, making hair feel rough and hard to manage.

Faded Colour

Keratin treatments can make hair more resistant to colour. If you dye your hair too quickly after treatment, the colour might not stay. The keratin layer can prevent the dye from fully absorbing. This can cause the colour to fade faster than usual, leaving you with dull, washed-out hair.

Frizz and Unruly Hair

Prematurely colouring hair after a keratin treatment can also cause frizz. The keratin treatment keeps hair smooth and frizz-free. Colouring too soon can disrupt this. The chemicals in the dye can make the hair cuticle lift, causing it to look frizzy and unmanageable

One of the

One of the most important steps in maintaining a keratin treatment is using a sulfate-free shampoo. Sulfates strip away natural oils and break down the keratin coating, causing frizz and reducing the treatment’s lifespan. By switching to a gentle, sulfate-free formula, you can keep your hair smoother, shinier, and healthier for much longer.

Aveeno Sulfate-Free Shampoo – A Game Changer for Keratin-Treated Hair

⭐ Why Choose Aveeno Shampoo?

1. Sulfate-Free & Gentle Formula
Aveeno’s shampoo is completely free from sulfates, parabens, and harsh chemicals, making it safe for keratin-treated hair. It cleanses without stripping essential moisture, helping your treatment last longer.

2. Infused with Oat & Natural Ingredients
Formulated with oat extract, this shampoo soothes the scalp, hydrates strands, and enhances hair softness. It’s perfect for maintaining the sleek and nourished look of your keratin-treated hair.

3. Protects & Strengthens Hair
Aveeno shampoo helps reduce breakage, add shine, and keep frizz at bay, ensuring your hair remains strong and manageable post-treatment.

4. Lightweight & Non-Greasy
Unlike many keratin-friendly shampoos, Aveeno’s formula is lightweight and won’t leave a heavy residue, allowing your hair to feel fresh and bouncy.

🌟 Real Reviews – What People Love About Aveeno Shampoo

✅ “Keeps my keratin treatment intact for months! Super gentle and smells amazing.”
✅ “Leaves my hair soft and smooth without feeling greasy.”
✅ “Finally, a shampoo that cleanses my scalp without drying out my hair!”

💡 Final Verdict: Should You Buy It?

If you want to extend the life of your keratin treatment, reduce frizz, and keep your hair healthy, Aveeno’s sulfate-free shampoo is a must-have!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Final Thoughts- 

To sum up, colouring your hair after a keratin treatment is possible, but timing and technique matter. Waiting at least two weeks before colouring ensures the best results for both your hair and the treatment. 

However, it’s important to consider the risks. Colouring too soon or using harsh dyes can lead to dryness, breakage, or faded results. If you’re unsure, ask your stylist for advice based on your hair type and the keratin treatment you used.

In the end, if you’re looking to maintain your shiny, smooth hair and vibrant colour, waiting for the right time and choosing the right products is key.

Faqs

please also read our article on comparing latest hair treatments such keratin/botox/nanoplastia