Highlights are really popular right now and look amazing on the many women who choose to wear them in their hair. It’s a great way to add color and vibrancy to your hair, or just try something a little different with your hair color.
But if you are considering getting highlights for your hair, it’s always going to be important to know exactly how long they last, or if and when they fade out.
So how long do highlights last? Typically, hair highlights last 6 to 8 weeks on average. How long highlights last will usually be determined by how you care for your hair, the frequency of washing and what you use, and how fast your hair is growing.
Do Highlights Fade Out?
Contrary to what you might believe, hair highlights do fade off over time. Even though there are many things you can do to stop it from fading quickly, your hair will lose its color the more that you wash it.
The highlights will eventually disappear or blend in with your natural hair color. In other words, the highlights or unnatural hair color won’t be visible any longer.
Therefore, if you don’t take care of your highlights carefully or use the right shampoos or conditioners to wash your hair, they will fade away more quickly.
That is why it’s usually best to ensure that a professional does your hair highlights for you. As they will be able to offer you advice on taking care of and maintaining highlights in your hair.
Are Highlights Permanent?
The short answer is no, hair highlights are not permanent. Hair lightened with Bleach or permanent coloring will last longer, but only until new growth begins to show in your hair. Also, frequent hair washing can slowly begin to fade the unnatural colors in your hair.
This means you will need to get your highlights redone every couple of weeks to ensure the hair color is long-lasting and looks as intended.
So if you are looking to get highlights in your hair and want the color to be more permanent or longer-lasting. You will need to get it redone frequently to ensure you keep the desired color and tones in your hair.
How Often Should You Get Highlights Redone?
How frequently you should get your highlights redone will often depend on how quickly your hair grows, and how you’re taking care of your hair color.
Even though highlights usually last 6 – 8 weeks on most hair types and lengths. If you style your hair frequently or wash it every other day using shampoos. You will need to get your highlights redone or touched up regularly.
This is especially true if you get your hair cut frequently or have a shorter hairstyle. As the more you are cutting your hair or getting it styled, the more you will usually need to get your hair highlights redone.
Also Read: How Long Does it Take to Get Highlights?
So this is why it’s always a great idea before getting highlights done to consider your hair’s length, growth, condition, and how frequently you might need to get highlights reapplied.
How Long Do Highlights Take to Grow Out?
Depending on your natural hair color and length, highlights typically take at least 2-3 months to visibly start to grow out of your hair. However on shorter hair, or hair that is frequently styled and washed. Highlights can begin to grow out much sooner.
So if you are concerned about your highlights growing out of your hair, or want them to last longer. It’s important to consider how you care for your hair, the shampoos or conditioners you wash it with, and when your highlights need to be redone.
If you aim to grow out your highlights and return to your natural hair color. You can wash your hair more frequently, and let your hair grow out naturally. A hair professional can also help you return your hair to its natural color.
Do Highlights Fade After Washing Hair?
Yes, highlights do fade after washing just like many other unnatural hair colors. The more you wash your highlights, the more they will begin to look muted or dull in color and vibrancy.
One of the biggest mistakes many people make when they get highlights done in a hair salon is washing their hair immediately after. You should wait at least 48 hours before washing newly highlighted hair.
This is because highlights need time to set in your hair before you can begin to style or wash it.
Picking the right shampoos and conditioners to wash your hair with is important if you don’t want the highlights to fade. You can also use cold water instead of hot water to wash your hair, as this strips a lot less color.
How Often To Highlight Hair Without Damage?
One thing you should always keep in mind is that when you highlight or color your hair, you are damaging your hair. You will be applying chemicals that can dry out your hair and affect its overall condition.
This means the more frequently you plan on adding highlights to your hair, the more damage you are doing to your hair. This is why it is usually recommended to get highlights redone every 6 to 8 weeks.
Getting your highlights redone every 6 to 8 weeks will allow you time to assess the condition of your hair, or notice any damage.
It will also allow you to take note of how quickly your hair color is fading and make any changes that are needed to your hair care routine. Namely using a deep conditioner on your hair to re-introduce moisture and stop your hair from drying out.
So how often you should highlight your hair or get it redone will often depend on the current condition of your hair. It’s usually best to seek the advice of a professional, as they will be able to help you with spotting any damage that is occurring to your hair as a result of using highlights.
Tips to Make Highlights Last Longer
If you are planning on getting highlights in your hair and you want to ensure they last for as long as possible without fading.
Here are some simple tips that will help make your highlights last longer:
- Don’t wash your hair immediately after getting highlights. Allow at least 48 hours before washing your hair to give your new highlights time to develop in your hair.
- Instead of hot water, use cold water to wash and rinse your hair. This will help prevent the highlight’s color from fading or being stripped from your hair.
- Choose the right shampoo. When using shampoo to wash your hair, ideally you should use a shampoo that’s sulfate-free or gentle on unnatural hair colors.
- Invest in hair oils. Using hair oils on your highlighted hair is a great way to add shine and vibrancy. Hair oils will lift dull or muted colors and help to strengthen your hair.
- Use heat protectors in your hair. If you plan on using straighteners, hairdryers, and other heated hair styling tools. Then heat protection is a must-have to ensure your hair color is maintained and does not fade.
- Keep your hair moisturised. It’s seriously important to try to keep your hair moisturised and in good condition if you have highlights. So use conditioners and deep conditioning masks once or twice a week to maintain your hair’s color and health.
- Consider using UV-protecting products. If you have highlights in your hair, it’s important to know that sunlight or UV can strip or fade your hair’s color. So if your hair is being exposed to a lot of sunlight, UV light. Consider using a leave-in conditioner or protection for your hair.
- Get your highlights redone on a schedule. One of the easiest ways to make your highlights last longer is to get them re-applied by a hair professional regularly. Typically, highlights will last 6-8 weeks, but on some hair types or lengths, they may begin to dull or fade much sooner.
Final Thoughts On “How Long Do Highlights Last?”
So how long do highlights last in your hair?
As we’ve examined previously, Hair highlights typically last 6 to 8 weeks on average. How you care for your hair, how quickly it grows, the things you wash it with, and how you style it can all affect how long highlights or hair color will last in your hair.
So if you are planning on getting highlights in your hair. You should consider the ways you may need to change your hair care regime, and the hair products you can use to help ensure the color is long-lasting.