Wondering Why Your Hair Color Fades? The Answer Might Not Be What You Think

Does your hair seem to fade quickly after getting it done at the salon? Have you ever looked at the ingredients of your color-safe shampoos? Are those color-safe shampoos really safe for color-treated hair? Many professional salon shampoos and drugstore brands claim they protect hair color, but the truth might surprise you.

Most companies don’t take the time to make sure the pH is balanced to the hair, skin, and nails (4.5-5.5). The reality of this is that in many shampoos claiming to be color safe, the pH is off and they often contain sodium chloride, which is the #1 hair color killer. It will strip color all day long.

Why does the pH of my shampoo and its salt content affect my color?

We think this is important to educate the mass market about this as it’s not often discussed, and often big corporations will blame color fading on things like sulfates. However, this is not the case. The reason shampoos aren’t color safe is because the pH is too high and the salt content (sodium chloride) will cause your color to fade as it’s drying, abrasive, and damaging to the hair. In our latest YouTube video "Why Your Hair Color Is Fading," we went on to test the pH of several well-known shampoo brands and came to find that not only did the pH often run a little high, but almost all of them contained sodium chloride. Thus, rendering them all unsafe for your color-treated hair and likely the root cause of your color fading because it is 1000-2000 times higher than your hair’s natural pH level. Even if your shampoo is pH balanced, the use of salt in our shampoos prevents it from maintaining your color. You’re paying good money for your hair; therefore, your color should last and look the same way 5-6 weeks later.

Why do they use sodium chloride in shampoos?

Sodium chloride is often used as a cost-effective thickening agent in shampoos as it produces a good lather, especially since society has come to associate a soapy lather with cleanliness.

My shampoo says it’s pH balanced but not what it’s balanced to?

Your shampoo should say what it’s pH balanced to somewhere on the bottle; however, many shampoos that claim to be pH balanced don’t say what they are balanced to. This is often because they are balancing to a neutral pH or water which is 7; however, our hair, skin, and nails run more on the acidic side at 4.5-5.5. Unfortunately, the only way to know (unless it says so on the bottle) is by testing the pH balance of the shampoo yourself.

Alternative Shampoo Options

This is why 54 Mane was created, because Cyndi Dionne (LIV Salon Owner) was tired of struggling to find both pH balanced and sodium-chloride free shampoo. 54 Mane has several great options for color-treated hair.

Anti-Fade is low pH (3.5–4.5) shampoo that locks in color and prevents fading—ideal for redheads, caramels, and brunettes.

Highlights brightens and maintains color-treated and highlighted hair. Enhances shine and manageability, keeping blonde and lifted tones vibrant and fresh.

Blueberry & Beetroot is a once-weekly toning shampoo for gray, white, or highlighted hair. Purple pigments neutralize yellow and brassy tones in blonde and brunette shades.

So, if you yourself are noticing that your color is fading, the answer might be sitting in your shower. Check the ingredients label. If it has sodium chloride in it, throw it out. If it’s not pH balanced, get rid of it, because your hair deserves better!

Have you ever checked the ingredient list on your shampoo? If so, did you find sodium chloride or notice whether the pH was actually listed? Or are you surprised by what might be causing your color to fade? Drop your thoughts (or your current shampoo) in the comments! We’d love to hear what you’re using and if this changes how you look at your haircare routine!