Should I Go Back to My Natural Hair Color?

"Should I go back to my natural hair color?" my sister asked, nary a stray hair in her pink wavy bob. "I don't know. I kind of like this colorful hair era," I responded. She didn't go back to her natural hair color; instead, she became a blonde. But, my sister's poor decision aside, what should you do when you want to go back to your roots? Literally.

Once you start dyeing your hair, it can almost feel like you're trapped in a never-ending cycle. But worry not, if you're looking to transition to your natural hair color, including embracing your grays, it's totally achievable—at least, that's what hairstylists and colorists Jamie Mazzei, Sophie Rose Gutterman, and Christopher Naselli told us.

Meet the expert

Keep reading for the pros and cons of going back to your natural hair color, plus how to do it safely.

Benefits of Going Back to Your Natural Hair Color

For starters, it's going to require less maintenance. This means you can expect to spend less time in the salon chair and less money on specialty shampoos and conditioners. "[You'll] no longer need to have your roots done every six to eight weeks," Mazzei shares with InStyle.

Another potential advantage of transitioning back to your natural hair color is that you'll see healthier strands. "Going back to your natural hair color can allow the hair to have a softer outgrowth and can even help to strengthen the hair," says Gutterman.

On a more personal note, Naselli adds that going back to your roots is a great opportunity to "embrace and celebrate your authentic self. This change can enhance your overall confidence and self-esteem."

What to Expect

If patience isn't your strong suit, going back to your natural color can feel frustrating at times. "Most people’s hair grows about a half inch per month," Mazzei says. "At this rate, your hair will have grown six inches in the course of a year. It will be a commitment to get back to your natural color—especially if you have long hair." (But hey, if you're into the whole ombré look, you could definitely enjoy the journey.)

That said, getting back to your natural hair color goes beyond a strict time commitment. "The process can be marked by an awkward transition phase, emotional impacts, styling limitations, hair texture changes, financial costs, and temporary appearance dissatisfaction," Naselli says. "Being aware of these cons will help you prepare better and make an informed decision about whether transitioning back to your natural hue is the right choice for you."

To hold yourself over in the meantime, Gutterman suggests using a permanent hair dye like All About Curls Permanent Hair Color. "Taking the time to thoughtfully plan your transition can lead to a more satisfying and confidence-boosting outcome," adds Naselli.

How to Transition Back to Natural Color 

Use Color-Depositing Shampoo and Conditioner

For anyone who doesn't want to play the long game, the good news is that you don't have to. "Most customers find that the help of an at-home semi-permanent color-depositing shampoo and color-depositing conditioner can get them through the transition more gracefully," says Mazzei. "I like this option, because [these] will only deposit to the previously color-treated hair as it’s more porous than the regrowth."

Using color-depositing products makes the color-treated hair darker, making it a better match throughout the removal process. It might even "keep the nicer tone of the previously color-treated hair," Mazzei adds.

"It is a semi-permanent direct dye in a shampoo and conditioner to help keep your hair color looking fresh allowing you to transition more gracefully during the process of returning your hair to its natural color," he explains. "Since it is a semi-permanent color in a shampoo and conditioner, it makes the process very easy."

Get a Haircut

If you're not against extreme measures, you can cut your hair off to get back to your natural color. If you'd rather leave your locks intact while you get back to where you started, it's important not to touch your root, says Mazzei. "Or it will be back to square one."

Let It All Grow Out

This is technically an option, but we'd be remiss not to mention that it might not be the easiest one. "Depending on how fast your hair grows, it could take up to a year to get the roots to your chin," says Gutterman, adding that "the outgrowth process isn’t always the most glamorous option."

This is especially true when it comes to longer hair. "For longer hair, it could take two to three years or more to completely grow out the dyed portions," adds Naselli. "While letting your hair grow out to its natural color is the healthiest option in terms of avoiding further chemical treatments, it requires patience and can have some aesthetic and emotional challenges."

Color grow-out can look awkward, so consider wearing hats, scarves, bandanas, or other headwear if you feel like covering your roots.

Aftercare

"As your hair transitions from color-treated to natural, you might need to switch up your haircare routine," Mazzei shares. "As your hair grows out, you might find you need a different shampoo for the roots since you are no longer color-treating them. A conditioner with moisture will likely be best for a while on the rest of the hair since that has been color-treated."

Naselli recommends using hair masks, like the Agebeautiful Ultra Bond Overnight R&R Leave-In Hair Treatment and purple shampoos, like the Agebeautiful Purple Shampoo and Conditioner for Blonde Care. "Root touch-up products are also valuable tools in this journey," Naselli adds. "Agebeautiful makes one of my favorite Root Touch-Up Hair Color Sprays."

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