Root retouching is a simple yet crucial step in keeping your hair colour looking even and fresh. Whether you’re covering grey hair or maintaining a favourite dye colour, knowing when to schedule a retouch is key. This guide offers straightforward advice on managing your root retouch schedule for the best possible look.
What is a Hair Color Retouch?
A hair colour retouch is a colouring process focused primarily on the roots of your hair. This service targets new hair growth to match your existing hair colour, ensuring a seamless transition from root to tip. It’s a necessary step for maintaining the appearance of a uniform hair colour as your hair grows and natural colour reappears at the roots.
Why is Having a Proper Retouch Routine Important?
Regular retouches are not just about aesthetics; they also contribute significantly to hair health. Postponing retouches can lead to uneven colour, more noticeable regrowth, and could potentially increase the cost of your salon visits due to the additional work required to achieve an even tone throughout. By adhering to a scheduled retouch routine, you maintain not only the colour but also the integrity of your hair.
The Hair Growth Process and How Colour Fades Over Time
Hair typically grows at a rate of about half an inch per month, meaning that within four to six weeks, you’ll see enough new growth to warrant a retouch. Colour fades over time due to factors like shampooing, exposure to sunlight, and heat styling. Different hair textures and colours might fade at different rates, affecting how often you’ll need to schedule a retouch.
How Often Should You Retouch Your Roots?
The optimal frequency for root touch-ups depends on several personal factors, including how fast your hair grows, the difference between your natural and dyed hair colour, and how you like your hair to look. Typically, getting your roots touched up every four to six weeks is a good rule of thumb to keep your colour looking even and bright. If you’re covering grey hair or your hair grows quickly, you might need to go in for touch-ups a bit more often.
Signs Your Hair Needs a Retouch
- Visible root growth: The most evident sign is seeing your natural hair colour contrasting with your dyed hair at the roots.
- Colour fading: Over time, hair dye fades, making the roots appear lighter or differently shaded compared to the rest of your hair.
- Texture changes: New growth can often have a different texture. If your roots feel coarser or have a different texture than your coloured hair, it might be time for a retouch.
- Dullness: If your once vibrant hair colour starts looking dull and lacks the shine it had post-coloring, this is a sign that a refresh is needed.
- Grey hair visibility: Particularly for covering grey hair, the reappearance of greys at the roots is a clear indicator that a retouch is due.
How a Professional Hair Colour Retouch Process is Like
The process of a professional hair colour retouch involves two main steps: the initial consultation and the actual retouch procedure.
The Initial Consultation
The first step in a professional hair colour retouch is a consultation with your stylist. This is when you’ll discuss your colour goals, assess the current state of your hair, and determine the best approach for the retouch. Your stylist will consider the natural hair growth, the extent of the root regrowth, and any colour fading that has occurred to ensure the retouch will blend seamlessly with the existing colour.
The Actual Retouch Procedure
During the retouch procedure, your stylist will apply colour specifically to the new growth to match your existing hair colour. This may involve lightening the roots before applying the dye to ensure an even colour from root to tip. The process varies in length depending on the extent of the regrowth and the complexity of the colour matching required.
After the colour has been processed, your hair will be washed, and a toner may be applied to achieve the perfect shade. The session ends with a blow-dry and styling, leaving your hair looking refreshed and vibrant.
How to Maintain Your Hair Colour in Between Retouches
Keeping your hair colour looking its best between salon visits requires a bit of care and attention. Here are some tips:
Use Colour-Safe Hair Care Products
Switching to colour-safe shampoo and conditioner is crucial for maintaining hair colour. These products are formulated to gently cleanse without stripping colour, helping to prolong the vibrancy and longevity of your dye job. Additionally, consider using leave-in treatments or masks designed for coloured hair to keep it conditioned and healthy.
Shield Your Hair from Environmental Stressors
Singapore’s humid climate poses a unique challenge to maintaining vibrant hair colour. High humidity, along with frequent sun exposure, can accelerate colour fading and affect hair health. To protect your hair, consider using UV-protectant sprays and wearing hats when you’re out and about to shield against direct sunlight. Additionally, the chlorinated water in swimming pools can further strip colour from your hair.
Opt for Hair Treatments and Regular Trims
Regular hair treatments, such as deep conditioning or protein treatments, can help maintain the health of your coloured hair, ensuring it stays shiny and manageable. Trimming your ends every six to eight weeks prevents split ends from travelling up the hair shaft, which can make your hair look dull and affect how your colour looks. Keeping your hair healthy is key to making your colour look better for longer.
For a customised approach to your hair care and colour maintenance, Act Point Salon offers tailored services that cater specifically to your hair’s needs, ensuring your colour looks exceptional at all times.
FAQs
How long does a root touch up procedure last?
A root touch-up procedure typically takes about 30 to 45 minutes in the salon, depending on the extent of the new growth and the colour matching required. This time allows your stylist to apply the colour precisely to the roots, ensure it’s properly processed, and then rinse and style your hair. However, the exact duration can vary based on individual hair characteristics and the specific techniques your stylist uses.
Can root touch-up conceal my grey/original hair colour?
Yes, a root touch-up can effectively conceal grey or your original hair colour. Whether you’re covering grey hairs or just maintaining your colour, root touch-ups can keep your hair looking uniform and vibrant.
How often should I get a retouch at the salon?
The frequency of salon visits for a root touch-up generally depends on how quickly your hair grows and how much contrast there is between your natural hair colour and the dyed colour. Most people find that getting a retouch every 4 to 6 weeks keeps their colour looking fresh and avoids any noticeable demarcation lines. However, your stylist can provide personalised advice based on your specific hair type and colour.
Can I lighten or darken my roots with a root touch-up?
Yes, during a root touch-up session, it is possible to either lighten or darken your roots. It’s essential to communicate your goals clearly with your stylist to ensure the roots blend seamlessly with the rest of your hair.
Should I visit the same stylist who did my original hair colour for root touch-ups?
It’s generally advisable to visit the same stylist who did your original hair colour for your root touch-ups. This ensures consistency in colour application and results, as your stylist is already familiar with your hair’s history and how it responds to different treatments. Sticking with the same stylist can lead to more predictable and satisfying outcomes with each touch-up.
