Blonde Hair Maintenance: How Often Should You Touch Up?

Blonde hair is undeniably beautiful, but maintaining its vibrancy requires regular upkeep. Whether you have platinum, honey, ash, or balayage blonde, the frequency of touch-ups will depend on your chosen blonde shade, hair growth rate, and maintenance routine.

In this guide, we’ll explore how often you should refresh your blonde hair, which factors affect maintenance, and expert tips for keeping your colour bright and healthy between appointments.

Factors That Determine Blonde Hair Maintenance

The frequency of blonde hair touch-ups depends on several factors, including:

• Your natural hair colour: Darker natural hair will show regrowth faster than lighter shades.
• The type of blonde shade: High-maintenance blondes like platinum require more frequent toning.
• Your hair growth rate: On average, hair grows about 1.2 cm per month, affecting root regrowth.
• The lightening method: Full head blonde requires more maintenance than balayage or highlights.
• Your haircare routine: Using colour-safe products can extend the vibrancy of your blonde shade.

How Often Should You Touch Up Your Blonde Hair?

Different blonde styles and techniques have different maintenance schedules. Use the table below to determine how often you should book a touch-up:

Signs That It’s Time for a Blonde Touch-Up

Wondering if it’s time to refresh your blonde? Here are some telltale signs:

• Visible root regrowth: If your natural roots are noticeable, it’s time for a touch-up.
• Brassiness: Yellow or orange tones indicate the need for toning.
• Fading or dullness: Blonde hair can lose its vibrancy over time.
• Dry or damaged strands: Regular conditioning treatments can help restore moisture.

How to Extend the Time Between Blonde Touch-Ups

Keeping your blonde hair looking fresh between salon visits doesn’t have to be difficult. With the right care routine, you can maintain your colour’s vibrancy, prevent brassiness, and reduce the frequency of salon touch-ups.

Follow these expert-approved strategies to extend the life of your blonde hair and keep it looking salon-fresh for longer.

1. Use a Purple Shampoo to Prevent Brassiness

One of the most common issues with blonde hair is brassiness—those unwanted yellow or orange tones that develop over time due to oxidation, mineral buildup from water, and sun exposure. Using a purple shampoo helps to neutralise these warm tones and maintain a clean, bright blonde shade.

How Purple Shampoo Works:

• Purple pigments counteract yellow and orange tones, keeping blonde hair cool and fresh.
• It deposits a subtle violet hue, restoring brightness without requiring a full toning treatment.
• Best suited for platinum, ash, and cool-toned blondes but can also help maintain golden blondes.

How to Use Purple Shampoo Correctly:

• Use it once or twice a week: Overuse can cause purple buildup or dullness.
• Apply evenly: Focus on areas that are prone to brassiness, like the crown and front sections.
• Leave it on for 3–5 minutes: Longer for stronger toning; shorter for a light refresh.
• Follow up with a deep conditioner: Purple shampoo can be drying, so always use a moisturising conditioner to maintain softness.

For a complete guide to keeping blonde tones fresh, visit How to Keep Blonde Hair Bright and Healthy.

2. Get Glossing Treatments to Refresh Colour

Glossing treatments are a game-changer for blonde hair maintenance. They restore colour vibrancy, add shine, and help seal the hair cuticle, reducing dryness and frizz.

What is a Glossing Treatment?

• A semi-permanent colour treatment that revives faded blonde tones.
• Works like a toner but is more hydrating and long-lasting.
• Adds a protective shine while enhancing your existing blonde shade.

Benefits of Glossing Treatments:

• Extends the life of blonde colour by preventing dullness and fading.
• Seals the hair cuticle, reducing frizz and making hair feel silkier.
• Can be clear or tinted, depending on whether you want to enhance or neutralise your blonde.
• Helps reduce brassiness without needing a full bleaching session.

How Often to Get a Gloss Treatment:

• Every 4–6 weeks for high-maintenance blonde shades.
• Every 8–10 weeks for balayage or natural blonde styles.

If you want to refresh your blonde without a full touch-up, visit Foils and Lightening Services to book a professional glossing treatment.

3. Protect Your Hair from Heat and Sun Damage

Both heat styling and sun exposure are major culprits in fading blonde hair. UV rays oxidise hair colour, leading to brassiness, dryness, and fading, while excessive heat can weaken and damage the hair strands.

How to Prevent Heat Damage:

• Use a heat protectant spray before styling with hot tools.
• Limit blow-drying, straightening, and curling to 2–3 times per week.
• Keep heat settings at below 180°C to avoid over-drying blonde hair.

How to Protect Blonde Hair from the Sun:

• Wear a hat or scarf when exposed to prolonged sunlight.
• Use a UV-protecting hair spray to prevent colour oxidation.
• After swimming, rinse hair with fresh water to remove chlorine or salt, which can strip blonde tones.

4. Wash Less Frequently to Preserve Colour

Washing your hair too often can cause colour fade, dryness, and brassiness. Since blonde hair is more porous, it absorbs and releases moisture more easily, making it more susceptible to losing vibrancy.

Tips for Washing Blonde Hair:

• Use a sulfate-free, colour-safe shampoo to avoid stripping blonde tones.
• Wash your hair 2–3 times per week instead of daily.
• Use dry shampoo between washes to absorb excess oil.
• Rinse hair with cool water instead of hot water to keep the cuticle sealed and prevent dryness.

5. Opt for Low-Maintenance Blonde Techniques

If you don’t want to visit the salon every 4–6 weeks, choosing a low-maintenance blonde style can reduce the frequency of touch-ups.

Why Balayage is Low-Maintenance:

• Balayage grows out seamlessly with natural regrowth.
• Can go up to 12 weeks without requiring a colour refresh.
• Allows for soft blending of blonde tones without harsh lines.

Other Low-Maintenance Blonde Options:

• Root Smudging: Darker roots create a soft, natural transition.
• Lived-in Blonde: A subtle blonde look that blends with your natural colour.
• Shadow Roots: A darker root fade that reduces regrowth contrast.

Final Thoughts

Maintaining your blonde colour for longer between salon visits is possible with the right haircare routine, colour-preserving products, and professional treatments. By using purple shampoo, glossing treatments, and UV protection, you can keep your blonde fresh and vibrant while minimising salon touch-ups.

Looking for expert colour care? Visit Foils and Lightening Services to book a consultation and keep your blonde looking its best.

With these expert tips, your blonde hair will stay brighter, healthier, and more radiant for longer!