Hair color wax is the new trend sweeping the internet – and it’s popular for a reason. If you feel like switching up your hair color for a week, weekend, or even just an evening- hair color wax may just be the best way to do it. But does hair color wax wash out?
Unlike traditional hair dye, hair color wax is very easily washed out; usually after just a single hair wash.
This saves you going through weeks of that awkward stage as you wait for more permanent hair dye products to slowly leave your hair after multiple washes.
As a result, you can switch up your hair color more frequently than you’d otherwise be able.
If you’re new to the idea of hair color wax and intrigued to find out more, read on.
It’s important to make sure we’re on the same page when we’re referring to “color wax”. So first, let’s go through what it actually is.
What Exactly Is Hair Color Wax?
Hair color wax is a temporary hair dye that is wax-based giving it a thicker consistency than the traditional hair dyes we are familiar with.
A major benefit of hair color wax is that it usually doesn’t contain PPD, ammonia, and peroxide; chemicals used by permanent hair dyes to make them last longer.
Combine that with the fact that it washes out super easily and you might see why it’s become such a popular hair dyeing option.
Mofajang is a popular brand of color wax. Click the image to check it out on
How To Wash Out Hair Color Wax
Lots of people are understandably concerned with knowing how easy it is to wash out hair color before they apply it, in case they find out they don’t like the color they’ve chosen.
This is the main downside of semi-permanent hair dyes, where there is a real risk that you might be stuck with a hair color you don’t like for days or even weeks, simply because it can take multiple washes to get rid of it.
Lucky for you, this is not the case with hair color wax.
There really is no secret to how to wash out hair color wax. Just follow these extremely simple steps:
Step 1: Initial Rinse
Start by wetting your hair from the roots to the ends under warm running water. Most people will find most of the wax color will actually be removed just with this step.
Step 2: Shampoo
Once your hair is completely wet, add your usual shampoo and lather from the scalp to the ends being as thorough as possible.
Step 3: Final Rinse
Rinse off the shampoo, then proceed to condition your hair as you normally would.
You may want to keep on hand a couple of wet wipes to wash your hands and bathroom surfaces of any stray color once you’re done.
…And that’s it – told you it was simple.
Now that you know how easy it is to wash out hair color wax, you might be willing to give the whole thing a try.
Why Does Hair Color Wax Wash Out?
The reason hair color wax washes out so easily compared with permanent hair dyes is that it doesn’t penetrate the outer cuticle of the hair shaft.
Permanent hair dyes contain ammonia and peroxide, which act in a two-step process to infuse hair dye into the hair follicle:
- The ammonia first breaks down the outer cuticle of the hair shaft so that other chemicals can enter.
- The peroxide is the oxidizing agent, which removes some of the hair’s natural color so that the new color can properly infuse. In the process of doing this, the peroxide breaks chemical bonds within the hair.
As you’d expect, there are plenty of men and women out there who’d rather not have all of this going on in their hair.
Hair color wax does not usually contain these chemicals and works by coating the hair without penetrating its outer layer. Because it is waxy it isn’t able to penetrate the hair shaft.
This makes it incredibly easy to wash out – it’s essentially just a paint job.
What Is The Difference Between Hair Color Wax And Semi-Permanent Dyes?
Well, that explains how hair color wax washes out so much more easily than permanent hair dye.
But you might be wondering why hair color wax washes out more easily than semi-permanent hair dyes, as surely they don’t contain the same chemicals as permanent hair dyes?
You’d be partially right in thinking this.
Semi-permanent hair dyes do not generally contain the same bleaching chemicals or ammonia that permanent hair dyes contain.
However, there are exceptions, with some semi-permanent hair dyes containing bleaching agents such as hydrogen peroxide. These will usually be marked as ‘Class 2’ dyes, with ‘Class 1’ dyes containing no bleaching agents.
Semi-permanent hair dyes containing bleaching agents (Class 2 dyes) will last about 24 washes, compared with Class 1 dyes which will last on average 6-8 washes.
Class 1 semi-permanent dyes usually work by containing pigment which coats the outer layer of the hair shaft, and they will not bleach hair. This is similar to how hair color wax works and both options have the benefit of not using harsh chemicals to work.
The difference is that semi-permanent hair dye will latch onto the outer layer of the hair shaft more tightly than hair color wax, and hence still requires multiple washes before it eventually fades.
On the other hand, hair color wax can be thought of as more of a ‘paint’ or ‘makeup’ for hair, which will be removed after a single wash.
Does Hair Color Wax Stain Clothes?
Most hair color waxes wash out of clothes just as easily as they wash out of hair.
In addition, there is usually minimal transfer to clothes from your hair once the wax is applied, so hopefully, this shouldn’t be much of a problem in the first place.
Hair color wax brands such as Mofajang hair color wax state that their products set quickly after being applied, minimizing the risk of significant transfer onto clothes.
Just be aware of not applying too much wax; this can increase the risk of flaking or transfer as it may not set quickly enough if applied too thickly. But as long as you follow the correct technique you can easily avoid this issue.
Also, be sure to always check the instructions for the specific brand of color wax you buy. Although this is all true for most of the popular ones, you definitely need to check.
How To Apply Hair Color Wax
Have you been convinced yet to give hair color wax a go?
If so, here is a guide on how to get started.
If this is your first time applying hair color wax, do not fear. Applying hair color wax is almost as easy as washing it off.
Follow these simple steps on how to apply hair color wax to your hair to achieve your desired look:
- Make sure your hair is clean before you start. If possible, have your hair be slightly damp to begin with (although this is not absolutely necessary). Also, protect your clothes with a towel or plastic waterproof covering.
- Comb through your hair to make sure it is completely detangled.
- If you have disposable gloves, wear them before you handle the dye. Again this is not absolutely necessary but will help with the clean-up afterward.
- Take some wax onto your fingertips and rub it into your hands to evenly distribute. Then start applying to your hair in sections, working from roots to ends. How much you apply will depend on how much of your natural hair color you want to show through. Remember, try not to apply too thickly to avoid transfer and flaking later on.
- If you want a bit more intensity to your look, once you’ve applied one layer allow it to dry for 15-20 minutes before repeating the process with another layer.
- Feel free to add more than one color for a rainbow effect. Using 2 complementary colors often works well, just plan ahead slightly on where you would like each color to sit.
- Once you’ve achieved your desired look, allow the hair wax to dry for 15-20 minutes. Then throw away your gloves or wash your hands, and you are done.
Conclusion
To summarise, yes, hair color wax does wash out, and more so it actually washes out really easily.
So, go and have some fun with it.
Ready Sleek founder. Obsessed with casual style and the minimalist approach to building a highly functional wardrobe. Also a fan of classic, vintage hairstyles.
