Ask the Experts

Obviously you have had colour before that lasted and your are using the same product of color now, so it sounds like the medication is what is affecting your colour. If it is a dark permanent colour there is no reason for the color to fade off at all. You would or should just get a re-growth and usually a full head color needs a re-touch every 4 weeks as the hair grows approximately 1/2 -inch per month. Sometimes lighter blonde shades can fade off quicker due to the fact the dye load is not as heavy as the darker shades and of course if it is a demi-permanent that also will be a reason for the colour dark or light to fade. Unfortunately usually colour problems or unusual situations are due to something being on the hair, like a medication, or mineral from pipes etc. I would suggest that before you do your colour, to use a chelating shampoo to help take some of the medication away from your hair, apply the color to dry hair. After use a cuticle sealer and do not wash your hair for 24 to 48 hours immediately after the colour, these products mentioned can be found in the JOICO line, not sure this is the answer but it might help?

If you are using permanent hair colour there should be no reason why you are not getting the results and great grey coverage. I will advise you that it is harder to colour grey hair when it is course or lighter shades of blonde are desired, but other than that you should not have grey hair after one day. So let’s try to figure out what could possibly be going on. Some facts: The average head of hair grows 1/2 inch per month, so yes if you are an high percentage of grey and are doing a really dark colour, in two weeks you will have a 1/4 -inch regrowth that will be visible. I am not sure if this is the case for you or if in fact you are just not getting good coverage to begin with. You said that your experience in the past was good, was that along time ago could your hair be a lot more grey now, have you changed the level of colour or shade that you used in the past, are you recently on medication or had surgery as all these things can effect colour. I hope this helps you work through this situation I wished I could help you more but it is difficult unless I can analyze the hair and do my own visible tests.

I personally feel the look you are describing and desire would be achieved through highlights rather than a full head bleach. A full head bleach has a distinctive look it is not a Scandinavian blonde or a natural blonde feeling. Also the up keep of a full head bleach is every three weeks and it is a two step process so a bigger commitment than highlights. I would not do a full head bleach now because of the uneven and heavy highlights, it would be almost impossible to get you hair even and where your hair is already light it will become lighter and possibly break off due to the stress on the hair. I think at this stage you should look around at your friend’s associates or any one on the street and when you see someone that as the color you are looking for ask them who their colorist is and give them a try.