Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or professional treatment. Always consult a healthcare provider for scalp/hair conditions and perform a patch test before using any chemical products.
As you age, you will sadly notice your hair starts to gray. It happens to all of us. You are free to let the gray hairs show, or you can dye them to cover the gray strands.
Dyeing gray hair takes a lot of work. So, if your gray hair reappears within two weeks, it is understandable to get frustrated.
Before we get into the solutions, you should know why your gray roots show after a certain period.
Why Do Gray Hair Roots Reappear After 2 Weeks?
A common and frustrating issue for people who dye their gray hair is that the roots often become visible again after just a few weeks. The reappearance of gray roots usually happens for one of the following reasons:
Wrong Applications
Unfortunately, people who apply their hair dye at home often experience the issue of gray roots appearing after two weeks. You need skills to dye your roots.
At-home techniques for applying hair dye are often not as effective as those in a salon.
Professional colorists are trained to ensure even saturation and precise application, which is difficult to replicate with a box dye kit.
So, it is recommended to visit a professional at a salon to dye your hair if you are experiencing an issue with retaining dye.
Hair Growth
Unfortunately, regardless of where you choose to get your hair dyed, you will notice gray roots start to appear every two or three weeks. The reason for your gray hairs reappearing is natural hair growth.
As your hair grows, gray roots will show. It takes roughly two weeks for gray roots to become noticeable. There are things you can do to delay this, but you will always be fighting this battle.
Root regrowth usually shows as a clear line of new growth at the scalp, while color fading looks like overall dullness through the lengths.
Gray Hair Not Taking Color
Finally, gray hair is harder to dye than other hair colors. Gray hair often has a tightly packed cuticle, making it resistant to absorbing dye pigments initially. You may need to extend the processing time or use a formula specifically designed for resistant gray coverage to ensure the color penetrates the cuticle.
Sometimes hair roots are resistant to color. If your roots are not dyed properly when you dye your hair, it might show the grays within a week.
What to Do If Your Gray Roots Show Again After 2 Weeks of Dyeing?
When your gray roots start showing, you will be tempted to redye your hair.
However, you should avoid dyeing all of your hair. Instead, only dye the gray hair roots again. Between permanent color appointments, use a root touch-up spray or powder, or a demi-permanent gloss to blend the grays.
Use a Root Touch-Up or Demi-Permanent Color
Your best option to combat gray roots between appointments is a root touch-up spray or a demi-permanent gloss. These blend the grays without the harsh lifting action of permanent dye.
Constantly redyeing your hair with permanent dye can do significant damage to the hair shaft. As a result, the existing hair shaft becomes brittle and prone to snapping off.
The reason lower-lift formulas are often a better option for frequent root blending than permanent hair dye is that formulas without ammonia are generally gentler on the hair shaft, reducing the risk of structural damage during frequent touch-ups.
Dyeing at Salon
Unfortunately, one of the most common causes of gray roots reappearing is poorly applied hair dye. If you dye your hair yourself, there are likely stages in the application process that you are not doing perfectly. As a result, your roots may show sooner due to missed spots or uneven saturation.
So, if you notice this issue and are dyeing at home, consider visiting a salon. A professional application ensures even saturation, but it cannot change your hair growth rate. You will still see new growth appearing every few weeks.
While salons offer superior results, they are a significant investment compared to at-home maintenance.
Can I Touch Up My Gray Roots Every Two Weeks?
Yes, you can touch up your gray roots every two weeks. However, we do not recommend using permanent hair dye every two weeks as it will damage your hair.
For frequent touch-ups, a root touch-up spray or a demi-permanent color is usually a better choice than permanent dye. Formulas without ammonia are generally gentler on the hair shaft, reducing the risk of structural damage during frequent touch-ups.
Overusing high-lift ammonia dyes can cause severe breakage and weaken the hair shaft. You can cover gray hair, but chemically compromised hair is difficult to repair.
So, gray roots can reappear within two weeks due to applying your hair dye incorrectly, using the wrong type of hair dye, and hair growth. However, natural hair growth is the most common cause of visible gray roots after weeks.