Hair grows on average about one to one-and-a-half centimetres per month. On colour-treated hair, this means a visible band appears at the scalp after roughly four to six weeks – the natural or greyed-in root that no longer matches the rest. A root touch-up closes exactly this gap: instead of re-colouring the entire head, only the regrown area is treated. This protects the lengths, saves colour and keeps the overall look even.\n\nDuring the treatment, the hairdresser first mixes a shade that matches the existing colour precisely. The colour is then applied with a brush, carefully and only to the roots – section by section, along the partings. The key is that the colour does not overlap onto the already-coloured lengths: over-colouring otherwise causes dark bands, colour build-up and unnecessary stress on the hair. After application, the colour is left to develop for usually 20 to 45 minutes, then rinsed out; a toner, gloss or conditioning treatment often finishes the service to unify roots and lengths in a single tone.\n\nA root touch-up suits anyone who wears permanently coloured hair – whether refreshing a chosen shade or covering grey. People who have lightened or darkened their colour significantly, or who cover a high proportion of grey, notice the regrowth sooner and benefit most from regular touch-ups. The technique works equally well for all hair types – fine to coarse, straight to curly – because only the root is treated.\n\nThe root touch-up alone takes around 30 to 60 minutes depending on hair length, density and the amount of grey, and correspondingly longer with washing, blow-drying and styling. The result lasts roughly four to six weeks – after which the new regrowth becomes visible again and the next appointment is due. To stretch the interval, root sprays or colour combs can bridge the gap short-term. For home care, colour-protecting and ideally sulphate-free shampoos, heat protection when blow-drying and straightening, and UV protection in summer help keep the colour vibrant for longer.\n\nIn terms of price, a root touch-up in Switzerland typically ranges roughly from CHF 45 to 95, depending on region, salon and the effort involved; add a cut, wash and blow-dry and the total is often higher. This range is a rough guideline only and without guarantee – actual prices vary considerably from salon to salon. Using CityHero's [hairdresser price comparison](/en/preise) you can compare the prices of salons near you before booking an appointment.
Root colour
A root touch-up (Ansatzfärbung) is the targeted re-colouring of only the regrown roots – the first one to three centimetres at the scalp – so the fresh growth blends seamlessly back into the already-coloured lengths. It is the maintenance treatment for colour-treated hair, needed as soon as the natural or grey regrowth becomes visible.
Example
A client with medium-brown, shoulder-length coloured hair and early grey at the temples comes in every five weeks for a root touch-up. The hairdresser mixes her exact brown shade and applies it only to the roughly two centimetres of regrowth, so the grey at the parting and temples is fully covered again – while the healthy lengths stay untouched. After 35 minutes of development time, a rinse and a conditioning gloss, the colour looks even and fresh once more.
Frequently asked
How often should I have my roots touched up?
Usually every four to six weeks, because hair grows about one to one-and-a-half centimetres per month and the colour difference becomes visible around then. With a high proportion of grey or a strongly lightened or darkened colour, the regrowth shows sooner – shorter intervals make sense in those cases.
What does a root touch-up cost in Switzerland?
As a rough guideline, the root touch-up alone ranges from about CHF 45 to 95 depending on salon and region; with a cut, wash and blow-dry it costs correspondingly more. Prices vary considerably from salon to salon and are without guarantee – it pays to compare before booking, for example via CityHero's hairdresser price comparison.
What is the difference between a root touch-up and a full colour?
A root touch-up treats only the regrown area at the scalp, leaving the already-coloured lengths untouched. A full colour treats the entire head of hair – necessary for a fundamental colour change, but it stresses the hair more and takes longer.