Can I touch up the color before 4 weeks? When is it justifiable?

Yes, it's possible in specific cases: if you have a very high percentage of gray hair and the contrast is very visible; if you're attending an important event and want to look impeccable; or if the color faded very quickly (may indicate a problem with the previous application). However, very frequent touch-ups increase the risk of damage . Always consult a professional to assess if it's safe.

What if my hair grows very fast or I have a lot of gray?

For hair with accelerated growth or lots of gray, we recommend: root touch-up every 3-4 weeks (only the root, not the full length); use temporary root touch-up products between appointments; consider techniques like shadow root that make growth less obvious; or embrace the grown-out root look, which is increasingly trendy!

What's the interval for hair that was bleached or platinized?

Bleached hair is more fragile and porous, requiring extra care and longer intervals . We recommend: minimum 6-8 weeks between bleachings ; apply reconstruction and intensive hydration treatments between sessions; consider low-maintenance techniques like balayage to reduce frequency; and always work with a professional experienced in advanced colorimetry.

What's the difference between root touch-up and full coloring?

Root touch-up applies color only to the first 2-4 cm of new growth, sparing the length and ends that are already colored. It's faster, more economical, and less aggressive. Full coloring applies color throughout the hair length, used when you want to change tone, refresh faded color, or even out the color. Most clients do root touch-ups regularly and full coloring only occasionally.

I have damaged hair — how does this change the interval?

Damaged hair needs longer intervals (minimum 6-8 weeks) and a recovery protocol between colorations. Signs of damaged hair include: easy breakage, split ends, lack of shine, rough texture, tangles easily. Before new coloring, do: cauterization, keratin reconstruction, weekly hydrations, cutting damaged ends. If the damage is severe, you may need to temporarily suspend colorations and focus only on recovery.

Ideal Interval Between Hair Colorations: Complete Guide to Planning Your Touch-Up

One of the most common questions in our salon is: "When should I color my hair again?" The answer isn't one-size-fits-all — it depends on various factors such as the technique used, root growth, hair condition, and your personal preferences. In this complete guide, we'll explain exactly when it's the ideal time to retouch your color, how to prolong color duration, and how to keep your hair healthy between colorations.

Why the interval between colorations is important

The interval between colorations isn't just an aesthetic concern — it's fundamental for the health and integrity of your hair. When we color our hair too frequently, we expose the strands to chemicals that can cause cumulative damage: dryness, increased porosity, breakage, and loss of elasticity.

On the other hand, waiting too long between touch-ups can result in very visible roots (especially if you cover gray hair or have a large contrast between your natural color and the coloration), faded and uneven color, and a less polished look than you'd like.

The secret is finding the perfect balance: an interval that keeps the color fresh and the look impeccable, while also respecting the recovery time of the strand and minimizing long-term chemical damage.

Factors that influence the recommended interval

1. Root growth: average and variables

Hair grows, on average, about 1 cm per month (0.3 to 0.5 mm per day). However, this rate varies from person to person, influenced by:

Genetics: some people naturally have faster or slower growth
Age: hair tends to grow slower with aging
General health and nutrition: nutritional deficiencies can slow growth
Season: some studies suggest hair grows slightly faster in summer

2. Coloring technique used

The coloring technique you chose has a huge impact on the maintenance interval:

Full permanent coloring: covers the entire head, requires root touch-up every 3-6 weeks depending on contrast
Root touch-up only: keeps the lengths intact, ideal for those who want to minimize damage
Highlights/lights/balayage/shadow root: low-maintenance techniques that allow 8-12 weeks (or more) between touch-ups
Semi-permanent coloring or gloss: fades gradually, can last 6-10 weeks depending on washing

3. Hair type and condition

Your hair type and condition also determine how often you can safely color:

Virgin and healthy hair: tolerates more frequent colorations without major damage
Already chemically treated hair: (straightening, bleaching, perms) needs longer intervals
Fine vs thick hair: fine strands are more fragile and may need more recovery time
Curly/coily hair: tends to be more porous and can dry out faster, benefiting from longer intervals and intense hydration

4. Aesthetics and personal tolerance

Finally, there's an important personal component:

Gray coverage: if you have a lot of gray hair, you may prefer more frequent touch-ups (3-4 weeks)
Color contrast: a blonde root on dark brown hair is much more visible than tones close to natural
Lifestyle and preferences: some people love the grown-out or shadow root look; others prefer always impeccable roots
Budget and time: frequent touch-ups require more financial investment and salon time

Practical recommended intervals (with tables)

Based on years of salon experience and industry best practices, here are the practical interval recommendations between colorations, organized by technique and scenario:

Table 1: Full permanent coloring — when to touch up roots

Scenario	Recommended Interval
Dense gray coverage (>50% gray) with visible contrast	3-4 weeks
Moderate gray coverage or uniform color with moderate growth	4-6 weeks
Tone-on-tone or close to natural coloring (low contrast)	6-8 weeks
Damaged or chemically treated hair (needs recovery)	6-8 weeks (minimum)

Table 2: Highlights/lights/shadow root/balayage — low-maintenance strategy

Technique	Recommended Interval
Balayage or shadow root (sombré/ombré)	8-12 weeks or more
Traditional highlights with marked contrast	6-10 weeks
Fine lights (babylights) integrated	10-14 weeks
Refresh/gloss between main applications	Every 4-6 weeks (to maintain tone)

Table 3: Semi-permanent coloring / gloss / toning

Coloring Type	Recommended Interval
Semi-permanent coloring (ammonia-free)	6-8 weeks
Gloss or toning to refresh color	4-6 weeks
Temporary coloring (washes out with shampoo)	2-4 weeks (or as needed)

How to extend the interval between colorations without sacrificing the look

At-home care to maintain color

Use shampoo and conditioner for colored hair: specific products help seal the cuticle and preserve pigments
Wash hair with warm or cold water: very hot water opens the cuticle and releases color faster
Apply nourishing masks weekly: keep the strand hydrated and color vibrant
Protect from sun and chlorine: use UV protection sprays and wash hair after the pool
Avoid daily washing: wash hair 2-3 times per week (or use dry shampoo between washes)
Finish with cold water: helps seal the cuticle and increase shine

Salon maintenance between full colorations

Intermediate gloss or toning: refreshes color without harsh chemicals, ideal 3-4 weeks after full coloring
Partial root touch-up: instead of coloring everything, touch up only the first 2-3 cm of root
Reconstruction treatments: cauterization, hair botox, or keratin help prepare the strand for the next coloring
Evaluation consultation: book an evaluation for the professional to check strand health before repeating chemicals

Techniques and styles to postpone touch-up

Opt for balayage or shadow root: these techniques create a gradual and natural transition, making root growth almost imperceptible
Choose tones close to natural: the smaller the contrast between your natural color and the coloration, the less visible the growth will be
Bet on hairstyles that disguise the root: side part, loose waves, or braids hide early growth well
Use powders or sprays for temporary root touch-up: temporary products cover roots between appointments (ideal for grays or strong contrast)
Consider a strategic cut: cutting hair regularly removes faded ends and gives a more polished look

How to safely prepare hair for new coloration

Before coloring your hair again, it's essential to assess the condition of the strands. Damaged hair doesn't accept color well, can break during application, and the final result will be uneven.

Strand test: Whenever you change color drastically or use a new product, do a test on a small section of hair 48 hours before. This allows you to detect allergic reactions and assess how the strand will react.

Assess porosity and damage: Very porous hair (that absorbs water quickly and dries fast) may need reconstruction treatments before new coloration. If the strand is elastic, brittle, or dull, postpone coloring and do a recovery protocol first.

Deep hydration 1-2 weeks before: do masks rich in oils and proteins
Avoid incompatible chemicals: don't do straightening or bleaching very close to a coloration (wait at least 2-3 weeks between procedures)
Cut before coloring: remove split and damaged ends for a more uniform result
After coloring: use leave-in, avoid heat tools in the first days, and maintain weekly hydration schedule