Hair Dye FAQs

Have some unanswered questions about how to dye your hair at home? In this article, we have gathered all those miscellaneous questions to help you become a pro at applying your own hair colour.

Is hair dye bad for your hair?

If not used correctly, hair dye can be bad for your hair. For example, leaving hair dye on for too long can cause it to become brittle and dry. Another thing to consider is the condition that your hair is in before you add hair dye at home, especially if you have bleached it. Give your hair time to repair before applying hair dye and you should have no problems.

How long does hair dye last in hair?

Hair dye will last for a long time if treated properly. Semi-permanent hair dye usually averages 2-6 weeks of colour. To help your hair dye colours last longer you can wash your hair as infrequently as possible and only use cold water when you do wash it. Use sulphate-free or colour safe shampoos to keep your new hair colour fresh for longer. Each hair dye brand will last for an expected period of time so some may only last 2-4 washes while others will give you a full 6 weeks of colour.

Does hair dye lighten after a few days?

Hair dye can lighten after a few days especially if you wash your hair too soon after hair colouring. Waiting for 3-4 days after you dye your hair before washing it will help lock in your new colour. Over time, no matter what you do, the hair dye will lighten and fade but doing things such as using sulphate-free or colour safe shampoos with cold water may help you to extend your colour for a few more days.

Does hair dye get darker the longer you leave it in?

If you leave hair dye on for longer than the recommended processing time it can get darker but it can also damage your hair. The longer you leave it in the darker it gets as the colour saturates the hair, especially if the hair dye kit contains ammonia. 

What is the most gentle hair dye?

Choosing a semi-permanent hair dye that contains no PPD, ammonia, and peroxide will be gentle on your hair. Using a hair dye that replaces harsh chemicals with natural ingredients is likely to do less damage to your hair. See our PPD Free hair dyes, here.

Should you put a bag on your head when dyeing hair?

You can put a bag on your head when dyeing hair. Wrap it around your hair to help reduce mess and help with processing the hair colour at home. Some brands suggest applying some gentle heat from a hairdryer to help open up the hair cuticles and allow for intense colour penetration into the hair. Covering your head will help you to apply heat more evenly. The bag or cap can also help to prevent the hair dye from becoming dry, allowing for a more even finish.

Should you comb through hair dye?

Combing hair dye through your hair will help to ensure all your hair is saturated with the hair dye and will give you a more even finish to the colour. To colour your hair, comb from the roots to the tips to distribute the hair dye evenly. 

When dyeing hair do you start at the top or bottom?

If you have dyed your hair before and are touching up your colour or applying a new colour, start at the roots as they will have grown out or faded. This will help you to get an even finish. The roots will need the longest processing time. Next work through your layers of hair from the top to the bottom, as the top layers will be most visible. 

Can I bleach my hair if I've dyed it black?

We do not recommend using bleach on hair that has been previously dyed using a permanent black hair dye. Lightening permanently coloured black hair can be highly damaging to your hair and cause severe breakage, damage, and could even result in significant hair loss. Do not attempt to do this without first consulting a professional hairstylist who can evaluate the condition of your hair and provide advice on the process.

You can add some of the darker Manic Panic shades to dyed black hair which can create great highlights and compliment your hair colour. For example, Vampire Red will add rich, cherry red tones to dark locks and can actually condition and hydrate the hair without causing further damage. For naturally black 'virgin' hair we recommend using Manic Panic Flash Lightning Bleach Kit in Volume 40 to lighten the tone.

Can I dye my dreadlocks?

You can dye your dreadlocks. Depending on the length and thickness of your dreadlocks, you may require more than one tub of dye. To dye your dreadlocks:

• Always wear gloves.
• Separate each dread into sections.
• Heavily saturate each dread with hair dye using a colour brush.
• Wrap up each dread with foil to prevent colour bleed.
• Leave on the foil for at least an hour.
• Rinse out each dread separately with cool water until it runs clear. Do not use shampoo.
• Blot out each dread carefully with an old towel.
• Ensure all dreads are completely dry before going to bed or wearing a hat to avoid colour staining. 

Can you cover grey hair with semi permanent hair colour?

Darker shades of Manic Panic can provide full coverage on grey hair and will eventually fade to a pastel shade, whereas light colours will add a slight tint to grey hair. It’s recommended to leave the at home hair colour on for a full hour to process as grey hair can be highly resistant. Applying heat can help to open up the cuticle layers for better absorption, but for the best results it's still recommended you pre-lighten your hair.

How can I remove dye from my hair?

The following items can all contribute to the removal of hair colour:

• Hot Oil treatments
• Alcohol-based styling products (hair gel, mousse, hairspray)
• Using anti-dandruff or deep cleansing shampoos
• Adding a teaspoon of baking powder into your shampoo, then massaging into the hair with a little warm water. 

Darker colours may take a longer time to fade and can leave behind a slight tint during the removal process. The results of hair colour removal and fading vary from person to person and may take longer than you expect. Make sure to check out our full article on How To Remove Hair Dye for more information.

If your hair was pre-lightened before adding colour then it will return to that shade as the bleach is permanent and acts like a 'base colour'.

How can I remove hair dye from my skin?

No matter how careful you are, sometimes accidents happen. We doubt anyone wants to sport dye drips on their forehead or have dye tinted ears, so if you need to remove some hair dye stains from your skin, try these handy hints:

• Rub toothpaste onto the stain with an old toothbrush and scrub it away, making sure to rinse the area intermittently.
• Mix equal parts baking soda and washing up liquid and rub in with a toothbrush or your fingers. Gentle circular motions are recommended to avoid irritation.
• Purchase a professional quality hair colour remover; this is typically sold in most beauty retailers, pharmacies, and supermarkets.
• Use rubbing alcohol as a last resort as it can potentially dry out your skin, causing irritation and discomfort. If you must use it, apply a small amount to some cotton wool and use a gentle dabbing motion. Ensure you use moisturising lotion afterwards to avoid damaging your skin. 

What's the difference between permanent & semi-permanent hair colour?

In the most basic of terms, a semi permanent colour will typically fade or wash out in anything from 7 days to 6 months, whereas a permanent hair colour will grow out over time.

Manic Panic FAQs

Does Manic Panic ruin your hair?

Manic Panic Semi-Permanent Hair Colour does not ruin hair if used correctly. It uses vegan friendly ingredients and contains no harmful chemicals. It also conditions and adds moisture to hair, acting as filler. For the most intense colour results, hair should be lightened to a light blonde or be a naturally light shade. When applied to 'virgin' or unprocessed hair, results may vary depending on hair texture and colour. Manic Panic is not suitable for use on eyebrows or eyelashes.

How long does Manic Panic last?

Manic Panic hair dye lasts between 4-6 weeks. Depending on how you treat it will depend on how much it fades within the 6 weeks. There are plenty of hair dye at home tips to help your hair colour last for longer such as washing it less frequently and avoiding sunlight. You will find more information about caring for dyed hair, here.

Want more detailed answers on specific topics? Make sure to check out our full hair dye guides for tips on subjects such as bleaching hair, patch testing, allergy advice, and removing hair dye stains.

Please Note: Blue Banana hair dye information should be read alongside professional advice. Blue Banana makes no guarantee of validity and additional instruction should be taken from trained persons.