Dealing With Damaged Hair From Boxed Dye? Here’s What To Do.

Dealing with damaged hair from box dye? Don’t stress! These 17 products can help undo damage. Read on for everything you need to know.

By Hair.com & Powered By L’Oreal Professional Products Division

Update Date: 13 Apr 2022

So, you went to the drugstore and couldn’t resist picking up some box hair dye to switch up your strands? We can’t blame you— DIYing your color is often significantly less expensive than going to the salon, not to mention being an instant fix if you are in-between appointments.

But despite the convenience and cost-saving factors, at-home hair dye can sometimes lead to damaged hair that’ll have you wishing you just waited it out for an expert’s touch! If you’re currently dealing with thirsty and over-processed hair brought on by your box hair dye, you’re in luck. We’re offering some insight into the best treatments for damaged hair from box dye and showcasing 17 products that’ll help nourish your strands back to health.

Does Dyeing Your Hair Damage It?

Yes, dyeing your hair with boxed hair dye and at-home bleach hair dye can damage your hair.

“Box color is usually very high in chemicals. Whether it be ammonia, metallic dyes, or other activating chemicals, you aren’t sure what you are getting. These chemicals can be damaging to the hair,” notes Rachel Graham, artistic educator with Matrix.

She adds that in-salon, professional color typically has lower amounts of these chemicals, and sometimes they even have none. And in cases where you really risk damaging your strands to the point of causing melting or breakage—which can happen with bleach—your colorist understands how, when, and where to apply the bleach to minimize damaged hair. A trusted colorist can also assess your hair and determine whether it can even withstand a chemical process like dyeing or bleaching.

Also, let’s be real. The work a professional colorist can do is often way better than anything we can do at home!

Can Color-Damaged Hair Be Repaired?

Though it can take some time, you can slowly get back to your healthy strands after enduring damage from at-home permanent hair color.

The key is to give your strands a break and avoid anything that can cause further damage, including additional chemical processing, bleaching, and dyeing. It’s also a good idea to avoid heat styling as much as possible and protect your hair from the sun. To help your hair look and feel healthier, you can also incorporate nourishing products formulated specifically for damaged hair.

How Long Does It Take To Repair Color-Damaged Hair?

The process of restoring your hair back to its pre-boxed dye glory depends on just how much damage has been done. If the aftermath is minor, then it can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to several months to get your hair looking shiny and strong. If the damage was irreparable—think breakage, melting, and severe dryness—then it might be a matter of waiting until your hair grows back.

We recommend seeing a professional stylist to help improve your hair health. They have insight into what you can expect, experience in reviving damaged hair, and access to professional treatments that can help expedite the repairing process.

Can You Color Extremely Damaged Hair?

Dyeing damaged hair again can potentially cause even more harm, so it’s often best to let your hair recover and focus on building strength and health. However, in some scenarios, you might be able to dye extremely damaged hair with the help of a professional stylist. They may recommend a treatment that’s less aggressive, such as a demi/semi-permanent color or hair gloss. Ultimately, dyeing extremely damaged hair should be done on a case-by-case basis.

Our Best Products For Color Damaged Hair

From nourishing hair masks to strengthening shampoos, keep scrolling for 17 products you need to help care for damaged tresses at home.

Extreme Bleach Recovery Shampoo

A recovery shampoo for damaged, ultra-sensitive bleached hair

Redken Extreme Bleach Recovery Shampoo should be the first step to mending bleach-damaged strands. This reparative, fortifying shampoo gently cleanses hair while restoring strength, softness, and shine to ultra-sensitive, damaged hair that has received a lightening or highlighting service.

Strength Cure Shampoo

A gentle, sulfate free shampoo that fortifies and strengthens damaged, color-treated hair.

Strength Cure Conditioner

A gentle, rich-lather conditioner that strengthens and helps repair damaged, color-treated hair.

Pureology Strength Cure Shampoo

The best shampoos for color-treated hair not only work to strengthen and nourish your strands but also help keep your hue vibrant and protected. That’s why we love Pureology Strength Cure Shampoo. This formula cleanses and helps fortify micro-scarred and damaged color-treated hair. The brand’s exclusive AntiFade Complex protects color vibrancy and shine. For best results, use the full system that includes the Strength Cure Conditioner.

Inforcer Anti-Breakage Shampoo

A hair strengthening shampoo to protect hair prone to breakage.

L'Oréal Professionnel Inforcer Anti-Breakage Shampoo

Damaged hair happens, but this anti-breakage shampoo by Matrix repairs and strengthens color-treated hair. It’s formulated with vitamin B6 and biotin to help reduce breakage and help hair become more resistant over time with consistent use.