So you’ve finally decided that you’re tired of frizzy, unmanageable hair and are ready for a Japanese hair straightening treatment. But you also want a new color or highlights to go along with your newly straight, silky smooth hair.

The problem is, you aren’t sure when is the best time to color your hair in relation to your thermal straightening procedure.

This is no small issue. Japanese hair straightening directly affects the chemical makeup of your hair. Safely engaging in other chemical processes on your hair requires planning to avoid over processing.

The Key: Avoid Over Processing

But before we dive into the key factors to consider, there’s one important point you must remember about changing the color of your hair: Bleaching/highlighting and permanent hair dyes have a greater impact on your hair than does semi-permanent hair coloring.

Consider these differences:

  • Bleaching and highlighting – removes the color from your hair through a process called oxidation
  • Permanent hair coloring – uses dyes that contain hydrogen peroxide (oxidation) to produce a longer lasting effect that can be a lighter shade than your natural hair color
  • Semi-permanent coloring – does not involve oxidation but rather uses dyes to produce an effect that progressively fades over about six weeks and doesn’t lighten your color

In case you missed it, the key term here is oxidation.

Like Japanese straightening, oxidation is a chemical process that weakens your hair. Combining too many of these processes could lead to very negative results such as super dry, thin hair or even breakage.

Stylists performing a thermal reconditioning treatment must treat bleached or highlighted sections of hair with special care.

Tips for Scheduling Your Hair Coloring Appointment

So what precautions should you take to avoid these pitfalls when planning for both hair coloring and Japanese hair straightening? Here are our tips:

#1) If possible, avoid coloring your hair for up to six months before your Japanese straightening procedure.

Though this may seem like a long time to wait, it can pay off on the effectiveness of your thermal straightening procedure. Avoiding chemical processes during this time will help to ensure that your hair is strong and healthy for the procedure.

If your hair has been colored or especially if it has been bleached (oxidized) within the last several months, be sure to discuss this with your stylist at your consultation.

Bleached or highlighted sections of hair must be given cared for differently during the procedure to avoid weakening the strands too much. This can sometimes lead to subpar results.

#2) Wait for at least two weeks to color your hair after a Japanese hair straightening treatment.

Can you apply color treatments to hair that has been newly straightened by thermal reconditioning? Yes. But you should wait at least two weeks to give your hair a chance to stabilize in its new straighter shape before coloring. A stylist who suggests doing both at the same time is a stylist to be avoided.

Also, if a different stylist is doing your coloring, be sure to let her know that you have had the Japanese straightening procedure done. She will likely want to adjust her coloring plan to account for change in porosity.

#3) Know that your color may fade slightly as a result of thermal straightening.

Though it would not be dramatic, the chemical processing of thermal reconditioning can lighten colored hair a shade or two. Even virgin hair may lighten slightly. A product like Yuko’s Lock In Color Treatment can help prevent further color loss following the treatment.

#4) If you have an extensive history of bleaching or highlighting your hair, Japanese hair straightening may not be your best option.

There are many options for straightening your hair. And while Japanese straightening is a great one (hey, we built a whole website about it!), it is not the best option for hair that may already over processed.

Instead, consider a keratin treatment such as Brazilian Blowout or the iStraight Keratin treatment. Keratin treatments are more compatible with processed hair though the results do not last as long.

So, should you get your hair colored before or after your Japanese hair straightening treatment? Our recommendation is to wait until at least two weeks after the procedure. If the hair coloring is being done by a stylist other than the one who did the straightening, be sure to inform him or her so that any needed adjustments can be made. This will set you up for gorgeous, straight hair of any shade!

BONUS: Find the best shampoo for your newly colored hair in our post on the topic. Spoiler, our favorite for straightened hair is AG Hair Cosmetics Colour Savour Sulfate-Free Shampoo! 

29 comments on “Should I get my hair colored before or after my Japanese hair straightening treatment?

  • This is great advice. Too much chemical altering to your hair can affect the quality, both in the short term and the long term. It’s important to let your hair “breath” and not over treat it.

  • Hi, I did partial highlight on my hair two months ago. That was my first highlight. Can I do Japanese hair straightening? How long should I wait?

    • Hi Fara! Thanks for your question. Our advice would still be to wait 6 months before getting a Japanese hair straightening treatment, even for a partial highlight. Better safe than sorry!

      Of course it’s always better to check with your local stylist. Thanks!

  • What if I just get my gray colored, but no highlights? There is no way I’m waiting six months before straightening. I would be very gray!

    • Hi Beth! The six month recommendation is to err on the side of safety. A qualified stylist who can examine your hair in person would be able to give you a better estimate based on your individual hair type.

    • Felicia, as long as it’s not within the first 72 hours of the treatment, that’s fine. During those first 48 – 72 hours the oxidation process is still finalizing, and water can cause significant problems. Thanks for your question!

  • I have naturally brown hair that I dye black. Since I’m only going darker rather than lighter, will this still conflict with the straightening treatment?

    • Hi Claire! While black dye is less damaging than say, going bleach blonde, any type of treatment could have an impact. We would suggest bringing this up in your consultation meeting with the stylist and getting their input once you’ve given them the specifics of the dye used, etc.

  • I have full highlights in my hair. it’s been almost three months since I’ve colored my hair and thought about doing the JSP(Japanese straight perm) now. Can I still do it or not? Im so fed up with having to blow dry then straighten my hair for almost 1.5 hours, sadly 🙁

    • Mika! I feel your pain! I would not rule out JSP as an option at this point, but I would definitely suggest getting the opinion of a certified stylist who will consider the type of highlights you have and the potential risk/benefits of a chemical straightening procedure. If JSP isn’t an option at this point, a keratin treatment would probably provide some shorter term relief.

  • Hi I japanese straightened mybhair in Nov. I have bleach under the dye under the straightener. Can I use a color remover to remove the color without messing up straighten process?

    • Helena my friend! That’s a lot of treatments on top of each other! To be honest I can’t say how a color remover would affect the straightness of your hair, but I would definitely get the opinion of a qualified stylist on the potential down side of applying a fourth treatment to your hair.

    • Hi Chelsea! Anything is possible. Is it advisable? Probably not. Both bleaching and JHS are chemically intensive treatments that permanently alter your hair. Having both performed on the same section of hair opens the door for lots of problems. That said, a qualified stylist who can take a look at your hair in person will give you the best and most definitive answer.

  • Hi , i never colored my hair… so now i want to do the Japanese hair straightening and also wanna do the partial highlights… so i went to a salon and asked them when should i do the highlights like is it before or after the Japanese straightening! And he said to do the highlight at the same time the straightening and asked me to do the highlights before and then straightening…! So I’m confused.. can you please help me to know , when should i do the highlights , before or after?

    • Afsan, our recommendation would be to have the highlights done at least a couple of weeks after your straightening treatments. However, individual stylists’ opinions may definitely vary, and he has the benefit of actually looking at your hair. The big question would be, how much do you trust this stylist? If you trust him a lot and have a history with him, then chances are he knows what he’s talking about. If not, you may want to play it safe and wait. Thanks for the question!

  • I got the Japanese Thermal Straightening done on pre-dyied hair from 3 days before going through with it. It took most of the permanent dye right off. I now want to re-dye my hair with the same color now that it was all removed. I don’t think I can wait 2 whole weeks. Can I do it any time after 4 days of the process? I have an event on 4 to 5 days from the process. And I don’t want to show up with damaged, dry hair, or faded hair.

    • Camila, that’s a tough spot to be in. Your situation is a perfect example of why we suggest you wait for up to six months after coloring your hair before having a JHS treatment. We would also not typically recommend coloring your hair that soon after the treatment. Given your situation, you be able to find some stylist who could offer you a short term coloring solution that would get you through your event without creating permanent damage. But without being able to see your hair in person, I hesitate offer any suggestion for fear it might backfire. Please let us know if you’re able to find a solution!

  • Hi! I did balayage to my hair in March, then Japanese straightening in august. I would like to do balayage again to my hair since it’s grown dramatically since the first time I did it but my hair stylist won’t do it for me because she’s afraid that using bleach in my hair will cause breakage. Do you think it is likely that this will happen since it’s already been 4 months since I’ve done the permanent straightening treatment.

    • Thanks for a great question Jessica! I would definitely listen to your stylist on this. Time does not “heal” your hair from the Japanese hair straightening. The change to your hair is permanent…at least until it grows out. The parts of your hair that were straightened would definitely be at risk.

  • I wish I’ve read this before, I did a color and a Japanese straightening the same day. My hair got thinner but nowadays it’s not that much in damage (I’m avoiding heating them and make sure to have once a week a natural mask)

  • Hi I have had my hair done on Friday just gone Japanese hair straightening
    And I did tell the stylist that I’d used a home hair dye 4 weeks ago and she said it would fine she started the process only until the product washed out and my hair began to full off like jelly and left me having to have it cut badly what can I do about this

  • I want to get the permanent straightening done during our summer trip to Japan, however I had a Brazilian Blowout done in the past. If I had a keratin treatment 20 months prior, does that mean I can’t get the Japanese straightening treatment?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.