Dye Hair Men

Overview: How to Dye Your Hair Men

Many men dye their hair at some point, whether to cover a few unwanted grays or just change up their look. While bleaching, dyeing, or going platinum blonde are moves typically best left to hair professionals, coloring men’s hair at home can be a good (and more affordable) option… if you know what you’re doing.

Here, we’ll talk about how to dye men's hair, including specific tips for how to blend grays, dye your hair a candy-colored shade (which requires bleaching first), or dyeing your beard.

Read on for more.

General Tips For How Dye Men’s Hair

Regardless of what color you’re going for, here are some general tips and guidelines for dyeing your hair at home.

1. Choose Your Shade & Permanency

Generally, going more than two shades darker than your normal hair — or one shade lighter — is not recommended, especially when doing it yourself at home. But many do it anyway, risking hair that looks inky or takes on an orangeish hue. Going lighter is a more intense process than going darker because it often requires bleaching first.

In addition to choosing a shade, you’ll have to decide what level of permanency you want from a dye.

• Permanent hair color is, well, permanent. It fades over time but generally does not completely wash out. Instead, you will have to grow it out.

• Demi-permanent hair dye lasts about six to eight weeks and generally fades with every shampoo.

• Semi-permanent hair dye washes out within a few weeks and can only deposit color onto hair, meaning it won’t work if you’re shooting for a lighter shade.

2. Prep Your Space

You’ll want to ensure your space is set up so that dye doesn’t get all over your bathroom — this stuff is designed to stain! Consider putting plastic or old towels on the floor and arranging everything you’ll need, like a timer, gloves, brush, and bowls, somewhere that’s easy to reach. You may also want to wear an old t-shirt — or dye your hair shirtless — so you don’t ruin your clothes.

3. Prepare the Dye

Every brand of dye is slightly different, so make sure to read the directions on the box, even if you’ve dyed your hair before. You’ll likely mix together a developer and a dye, though the exact way to do this varies, so make sure you’re clear before starting.

4. Prep Your Hair

You want your hair to be completely dry and clean, but not freshly washed before dyeing it. Generally, it’s a good idea to wash your hair one or two days before dyeing, as some natural oil on the scalp is a barrier and protective against stains and potential irritation.

5. Apply a Stain Barrier

Apply a stain barrier (something like Aquaphor or Vaseline) to your hairline, the nape of your neck, and your ears, which helps keep the dye from staining your skin.

6. Apply the Dye

Now it’s time for the main (mane?!) event. Pay careful attention to the directions, but generally, you’ll section your hair if it’s longer and apply the dye from root to end using your fingers (in plastic gloves) or a brush provided with the dye. It can be helpful to enlist the help of someone else to help you get the back and harder-to-reach spots.

7. Let It Sit

Make sure you’re not in a rush when you’re dying your hair, as the product will likely have to sit for at least 20 minutes. Most brands will give a range of time (25 to 30 minutes), for example, and you may want to wipe the dye off a small section of hair using an old towel after the earlier time limit. This will help you determine whether you like the color or if you want to let it sit for the recommended time. Don’t go longer than the box advises.

8. Rinse

Now it's time to hop in the shower and rinse out the dye. The instructions will advise whether or not to use shampoo or just water. Generally, permanent dye requires shampoo, while for demi or semi-permanent dyes it’s not recommended. Some dye kits will also contain a nourishing conditioner, which you should use if provided.

How to Blend Grays At Home

We love a silver fox, but plenty of men choose to dye their grays at home. Gray often requires a dye formulated specifically for gray or silver hair, which can be especially resistant to coloring.

If you want to cover every gray, you’ll dye your hair as usual. But if you want to blend the grays, which means covering some while leaving others intact, you may want to consult with a hairstylist or colorist first. It’s often best to use a semi-permanent dye and cover only certain areas, like the temples or any obvious patches, leaving individual gray strands alone.

How to Dye Men’s Hair a Bright Hue At Home

Here’s the thing: If you dye your hair a bright color, you’ll almost definitely need to bleach it first. Bleach removes pigment from hair, allowing it to absorb a bright color.

Bleaching your hair is best left to the professional to minimize damage and keep the hair even. If you have very short hair, you may be able to do it at home using a bleaching kit. Llonger hair typically requires multiple sessions and knowing where to start, as hair closer to the scalp tends to bleach more quickly.

After bleaching your hair, you’ll need to wait a few weeks to dye it a bright color. Bleaching damages hair — you don’t want to overdo it by immediately adding color. In those weeks, focus on hydrating the hair with a deep conditioner. Once your hair is ready, follow the steps above with a bright dye.

How to Dye Your Beard At Home

If grays in your beard are bugging you or you want to have your hair and beard match, you can also dye your facial hair. If you choose this route, you should always use a dye created specifically for facial hair. Hair dye for the hair on your head isn’t tested for use near delicate facial skin, and it can be irritating and too harsh.

Both permanent and semi-permanent dyes are available for beards and facial hair. Just like dyeing your hair, you’ll need to follow the directions that come with the dye, being especially careful to apply a stain barrier to the skin around your beard so you don’t dye your face.

How to Maintain Your At-Home Dye Job

If you’re going to put in the work to dye your hair at home properly, you’ll want it to last. Here are some easy tips for maintaining your dye job at home, which will help limit the amount of touch-ups you have to do.

• Use Color-Safe Shampoo and Conditioner: Prevent fading by using sulfate-free, color-protecting products. Sulfates are potent cleansing agents that can strip hair of moisture or fade color over time. All of our shampoos are sulfate-free.

• Wash with Cool Water: Hot water can strip color faster, so rinse with lukewarm or cool water.

• Limit Washing: If you can, stretch the time between washes, especially if you used demi or semi-permanent dye. This will help to preserve the color longer.

• Avoid Sun Exposure: UV rays can fade color, so wear a hat or use UV-protectant hair products.

• Moisturize Regularly: Hair dye can damage hair, and regularly using condition or deep conditioning treatments helps prevent dryness and breakage.

• Stay Away from Chlorine: Chlorine in pools can alter your hair color (especially light brown or blonde hair), so use a swim cap or rinse your hair immediately after swimming.

The Final Word: How to Dye Men’s Hair At Home

Whether your goal is to cover gray hair, change your look, or restore your natural hair color, there are hair dyes for men that will give you the style you’re after. Here’s what to remember about men’s hair color.

• Whether you're blending grays, going for a bold new shade, or dyeing your beard, using the right techniques and products ensures natural-looking, lasting results while minimizing damage.

• Proper maintenance, including using color-safe products, washing with cool water, and avoiding sun exposure, is essential to keep your hair color vibrant and healthy for as long as possible.

• If you’re unsure about what dye to use or need help choosing the best hair color, it’s always a good idea to consult with a barber or hairdresser before taking matters into your own hands.

For more styling tips, check out our guides to 19 men’s haircare tips and home remedies for dandruff, or learn more about what causes gray hair in your twenties or what causes white hair (and how to prevent it).