Coffee Hair Dye – How To Apply And Benefits

Quick Facts About Coffee Hair Dye You Should Know

• If you have recently colored your hair or underwent a post-color treatment, the coffee dye may not show any effects on your locks. Certain ingredients in synthetic hair dyes and post-color sealers, such as silicones, create an artificial film around the hair and inhibit color absorption.
• The coffee hair dye works differently on different shades of hair. While it can play up brown and light-colored hair, the color may not pop on darker hair shades.
• How well the coffee colors your hair will depend on the state of your hair. If you have thick hair, the color may not catch easily as this hair type lacks the essential porosity to absorb the dye. On the other hand, if your hair is thin, it is easier to absorb the color from the coffee dye.
• The stronger the brew, the better the hair color. For a dark coffee shade, make sure to brew a very strong cup of dark roast coffee.

Still not sure whether you should try a natural coffee hair dye? Read on to find whether this hair coloring trend will suit you or not.

Did You Know?

When roasting, coffee beans first crack as the roaster reaches 196 °C and crack again at 224 °C. In general, dark roasts are roasted after the second crack.

Should You Use Coffee Hair Dye?

Yes, but it all comes down to the base tone of your hair. If you have a light base tone, the coffee hair color will come out perfectly. But for a dark base tone, you may not notice any difference after coloring your hair with coffee dye.

There are other reasons to use coffee hair dye:

• Safer Alternative

You are not exposing yourself to toxic chemicals by using coffee grounds to dye your hair. Synthetic hair dyes contain harmful chemicals, such as APEs (alkylphenol ethoxylates) and PPD (phenylenediamine), which might irritate the scalp and damage your hair in the long run. It may even trigger allergic reactions and pigmentation.

Studies show that hair dye products contain as many as 5,000 different chemicals, some of which are found to be carcinogenic in animal studies (1). Thus, coffee hair dye is a safe and natural alternative to these harmful ingredients.

• May Boost Hair Growth

Research has shown that caffeine may stimulate hair growth (2), (3), (4). The antioxidant properties of caffeine can help strengthen the hair and impart a natural sheen. So, even if your homemade coffee hair dye fails to perk up your hair color, the nourishing properties of caffeine will give you a healthier mane.

In this study on female subjects with androgenetic alopecia (AGA), a phyto-caffeine-containing shampoo was evaluated for its efficacy over a 6-month period. Compared to a control shampoo, subjects using the phyto-caffeine-containing shampoo experienced a significant reduction in the number of hairs pulled in a hair pull test (-3.1 vs. -0.5 hairs; P<0.001). Secondary endpoints including hair loss intensity and hair strength also showed significant improvements. Both shampoos were well tolerated. These findings suggest that the phyto-caffeine-containing shampoo is more effective in treating AGA-related hair loss in women.

The next section outlines a step-by-step procedure to color your hair with DIY coffee dye.

How To Dye Your Hair With Coffee

You Will Need

• 1 cup of organic dark roast or espresso coffee powder
• 2 tablespoons of hair conditioner
• 2 cups of warm water
• Old T-shirt or towel
• Mixing bowl
• Gloves
• Hair dye brush

How To Prepare

1. Brew the dark roast or espresso coffee in the warm water. You can add more coffee for a stronger brew, which will make the hair dye more effective.
2. Let the brewed coffee cool completely.
3. Mix the hair conditioner with this coffee solution. Add another two tablespoons of ground organic coffee.

How To Apply

Step 1: Wear the old T-shirt or drape a towel over your shoulders to prevent coffee stains on your skin and clothes.

Step 2: Divide your hair into sections with the wide-toothed comb.

Step 3: Apply the coffee mixture to each section of your hair evenly with the hair dye brush.

Step 4: Leave it on for at least an hour and gently rinse your hair. Do not use shampoo, as this will dilute the hair color. Instead, you can rinse your hair with apple cider vinegar to prevent fading and make the coffee color last longer.

Another way to dye your hair with coffee is to dunk your hair into the brewed coffee solution after it has cooled. You can also rinse your hair with the coffee solution and leave it on for an hour before washing with lukewarm water.

Quick Tip

How often you wash your hair determines how long the coffee dye will last. Usually, it lasts for 2-3 days and fades over time.

Coffee Hair Dye: Does It Really Work?

The coffee hair dye trend has emerged as a fun hair color fix. But if you want a permanent or long-lasting color, dying your hair with coffee may not be ideal. Most people find that this dye imparts a very light brown tinge to your hair. However, with repeated application, the color may gradually get brighter.

Sierra Green, an actress and a Youtuber, tried a DIY coffee hair dye. She mixed coffee with conditioner and warm water and applied it all over her gray tresses. She says, “ It was super fun to use it but I don’t think it worked for me but my hair feels super soft and luxurious like I have got some professional treatment done. Maybe this works well for blonde hair as my hair is already super dark, so try it (i).”

Infographic: DIY Natural Coffee Hair Dye

Using coffee is the cheapest way to give a brown-reddish tint to your hair. Whether you want to avoid chemical dyes or are in the mood to change your hair color just for fun, there’s no harm in trying this safe alternative. We have summarized the recipe, preparation, and application procedure in the infographic below. Take a look!

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I leave coffee in my hair overnight?

Yes, you may leave coffee in your hair overnight as a part of your hair care routine and nourishing hair treatment. However, cover your hair as the content may stain your pillowcase and clothes.

Does coffee dye wash out?

Since coffee dye is not permanent, it will wash out eventually.

How long does it take for coffee to change your hair color?

approximately it takes more or less than an hour for coffee to change hair color.

How many times can I put coffee in my hair?

You can use coffee on hair once or twice a week.

Discover the secrets of luscious, naturally vibrant hair in this informative video! Learn how to create beautiful, coffee-infused hair dye at home and embrace a stunning, eco-friendly makeover. Get ready to unleash your inner coffee connoisseur!

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Dr. Divya SharmaMBBS, MD

     

Dr. Divya Sharma is a renowned dermatologist and hair expert with over 14 years of experience dealing with all skin types. She has extensive experience in medical dermatology, lasers in aesthetics, and regenerative medicine. She is also a member of the special interest group Aesthetics of IADVL (Indian Academy of Dermatologists Venerologists and Leprologists) and has numerous publications to her...more

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