How to Use Schwarzkopf Re-Nature: A Step-by-Step Guide for Natural Hair Color Restoration
How to Use Schwarzkopf Re-Nature: A Step-by-Step Guide for Natural Hair Color Restoration
For years, GermanBuy customers have asked us for Schwarzkopf Men Re-Nature instructions in English. That question was understandable: Re-Nature is a German-market product, and the instructions on the package were not always easy for an international customer to follow.
Today, that language barrier is much easier to overcome. Smartphone tools such as Google Lens can translate printed instructions directly from the package. Even so, having the application procedure explained clearly in English can be helpful when you want to know what to expect before using the product.
This guide follows the current Schwarzkopf Re-Nature application information and explains the shade selection, preparation, application, processing times, rinsing, follow-up applications, and maintenance of the desired result. The instructions supplied with your own package should always take priority if they differ.
What Is Schwarzkopf Re-Nature?
Schwarzkopf Re-Nature is a men’s hair repigmentation product for gray hair. It is designed to work gradually rather than simply replacing the hair color with a conventional permanent shade.
The Re-Nature men’s range is available in two variants:
- Men Medium: for natural hair colors from medium blonde to medium brown
- Men Dark: for natural hair colors from dark brown to black
Schwarzkopf describes Re-Nature as a repigmentation product with an air-activated formula that is applied directly to the hair without mixing. The intended process is gradual, allowing the hair to move step by step toward its natural-looking tone.
Before You Use Schwarzkopf Re-Nature
There are several important points to check before starting the application.
Perform the Required Allergy Test
Hair-coloring products can cause serious allergic reactions. The current product safety information states that an allergy alert test should be performed 48 hours before every application, even if you have previously used hair-coloring products without problems. Follow the allergy-test instructions supplied with your product carefully.
Do not use the product if you have a rash on your face, or if your scalp is sensitive, irritated, or injured. The product should not be used on eyelashes or eyebrows. Avoid contact with the eyes, use suitable gloves, and keep the product away from children. The current safety information also states that the product is not intended for people under 16.
If an allergic reaction or other skin intolerance occurs, do not proceed with the application. If you have doubts about whether the product is suitable for you, consult a medical professional before use.
Choose the Correct Shade
Shade selection is based on your natural hair color:
| Re-Nature shade | Natural hair-color range |
|---|---|
| Men Medium | Medium blonde to medium brown |
| Men Dark | Dark brown to black |
The amount of gray hair is not the only consideration. The appropriate variant is primarily determined by the natural hair-color range for which the product is intended.
GermanBuy currently offers both versions:
Schwarzkopf Re-Nature Men Medium – Medium Blonde to Brown
Schwarzkopf Re-Nature Men Dark – Dark Brown to Black
Schwarzkopf Re-Nature Instructions: Step by Step
1. Prepare Before Application
Before you begin, put on the supplied gloves and protect your clothing, for example with an old towel. Have a clock or timer nearby so that you can monitor the processing time accurately.
Remove the cap from the tube and peel off the seal as instructed on the package. Re-Nature is ready to use directly from the tube; there is no developer to mix with the repigmentation cream.
2. Apply Re-Nature to Dry, Unwashed Hair
Schwarzkopf specifies application to dry, non-pre-washed hair. Distribute the repigmentation cream evenly over the areas you want to treat.
The recommended quantity depends on hair length:
- Short hair: 1 tube
- Chin-length hair: 2 tubes
- Shoulder-length hair: 2 packages
Remove any cream that gets onto the skin during application to help prevent staining.
3. Decide Between Full-Head and Partial Application
For the first application, Schwarzkopf recommends applying the product over the entire head when the hair is evenly gray.
A partial application can be used when only certain areas are gray, such as gray temples.
4. Follow the Correct Processing Time
This is one of the most important parts of the Re-Nature instructions. The recommended processing time depends on both the natural hair color and the Re-Nature variant.
| Natural hair color | Re-Nature variant | Processing time |
|---|---|---|
| Medium blonde to dark blonde | Men Medium | 5–10 minutes |
| Light brown to medium brown | Men Medium | 10–15 minutes |
| Dark brown to black | Men Dark | 15–20 minutes |
The product can react at different speeds depending on hair structure. Schwarzkopf therefore recommends following the processing times in the application table rather than simply estimating the time yourself.
Fine, Damaged, or Sun-Lightened Hair
For fine, damaged, or sun-lightened hair, Schwarzkopf recommends reducing the processing time to 5 minutes for Re-Nature Medium and 10 minutes for Re-Nature Dark.
The manufacturer also states that a longer processing time produces a more intensive result. The recommended maximum is 20 minutes for Medium and 25 minutes for Dark.
Do not extend the processing time simply because you want a stronger result. Follow the applicable processing time for your hair and the instructions supplied with your product.
5. Rinse Thoroughly With Lukewarm Water
When the recommended processing time has elapsed, put the gloves back on and rinse the hair thoroughly with lukewarm water.
Continue rinsing carefully so that the product is completely removed from the hair.
6. Wash the Hair With the Supplied Re-Nature Shampoo
After rinsing, Schwarzkopf instructs users to wash the hair thoroughly with the supplied Re-Nature after-treatment shampoo. The current product information recommends using one shampoo sachet for each tube of repigmentation cream used.
There is an unusual detail that is useful to know before you start: when the repigmentation cream comes into contact with atmospheric oxygen, it can develop a dark blue, violet, or black appearance. According to the product instructions, this temporary effect disappears when the cream is thoroughly rinsed from the hair.
Why Can Re-Nature Look Dark or Violet During Application?
If the cream becomes noticeably darker during application, there is no need to assume that something has gone wrong. The product information specifically explains that the repigmentation cream can become dark blue, violet, or black when it reacts with oxygen in the air.
This temporary appearance is different from the final hair result. Schwarzkopf states that the effect disappears during thorough rinsing.
What Happens After the First Application?
Re-Nature is designed to develop the color gradually. If the desired tone has not been reached after the first application, Schwarzkopf recommends continuing with further applications.
The current instructions recommend:
- Medium: 3 applications
- Dark: 3–6 applications
Allow 3–4 days between applications. This gives the new tone time to develop before you decide whether another application is necessary. The processing time should continue to follow the table for the first application.
This is an important difference from a conventional one-time hair-coloring process. Re-Nature is intended to let the user build toward the desired result over successive applications.
How to Maintain the Desired Hair Color
Once the desired tone has been reached, Schwarzkopf does not recommend continuing to treat the entire head unnecessarily. Instead, Re-Nature should be applied to newly grown hair when gray roots become visible.
The current instructions recommend the following intervals:
- Medium blonde to medium brown natural hair: approximately every 3–4 weeks
- Dark brown to black natural hair: approximately every 2 weeks
The product should be distributed evenly over the regrowth, following the applicable processing time from the first-application table.
Very Short Hair
For very short hair, Schwarzkopf recommends a full-head application with a processing time of 5–15 minutes, depending on the natural hair color.
Hair That Has Become Lighter
If the hair lengths become lighter over time, for example through sun exposure, tanning beds, or sweating, Schwarzkopf states that the lighter lengths can be treated with a shortened processing time of 5–10 minutes to help create a more even-looking result.
Can Unused Re-Nature Cream Be Kept?
Yes. The current product instructions state that unused repigmentation cream can be used at a later time.
To store unused cream, gently press the tube until the cream reaches the tube opening so that air is removed. Close the tube immediately and store it standing on its cap at room temperature.
The supplied gloves can also be rinsed and reused, according to the product instructions.
What If the Desired Color Is Already Reached?
If the desired hair tone has already been reached after the first application, Schwarzkopf states that another full application is not necessary. Re-Nature should then be used again when gray hair grows back, following the maintenance instructions described above.
Frequently Asked Questions About Schwarzkopf Men Re-Nature
Is Schwarzkopf Re-Nature a regular hair dye?
Re-Nature is a repigmentation product designed to gradually bring gray hair toward the natural hair tone. It is applied directly from the tube without mixing with a developer.
Should Re-Nature be applied to wet or dry hair?
The current instructions specify application to dry, non-pre-washed hair.
How long should Schwarzkopf Re-Nature stay on the hair?
The time depends on the natural hair color and the variant. Medium blonde to dark blonde hair uses Re-Nature Medium for 5–10 minutes; light brown to medium brown uses Medium for 10–15 minutes; and dark brown to black uses Re-Nature Dark for 15–20 minutes. Fine, damaged, or sun-lightened hair requires shorter processing times.
Can I leave Re-Nature on longer?
The instructions should be followed rather than extending the processing time on your own. Schwarzkopf states that longer processing produces a more intensive result but recommends not exceeding 20 minutes for Medium or 25 minutes for Dark.
How many applications are needed?
If the desired tone has not been reached after the first application, Schwarzkopf recommends approximately 3 applications for Medium and 3–6 applications for Dark, with 3–4 days between applications. The result develops gradually, so another application should not be rushed.
Does Re-Nature have to be used again after the desired color is reached?
Not necessarily. Once the desired tone has been reached, Schwarzkopf recommends treating newly grown gray hair rather than automatically repeating a full-head application.
Can I translate the German instructions myself?
Yes. Modern tools such as Google Lens can translate printed German instructions directly through a smartphone camera. This is particularly useful for international customers purchasing German-market products.
For application and safety information, however, the printed instructions supplied with your product should remain the primary reference. Translation tools are helpful, but they should not replace the manufacturer’s instructions.
A Note About the Instructions in This Guide
Product packaging and instructions can change over time. The information in this article is based on the current Schwarzkopf Re-Nature application information available when this article was reviewed.
If the instructions supplied with your particular package differ from anything stated here, please follow the instructions in your package. They are the most appropriate reference for the specific product you have received.
Final Thoughts
The original reason for creating this guide was simple: GermanBuy customers used to ask us for Schwarzkopf Men Re-Nature instructions because the German packaging was not always easy to understand in an international setting.
Today, Google Lens and other smartphone translation tools have made that problem much smaller. You can often point your phone at the German instructions and get an English translation within seconds.
Still, a clear English-language guide has its place. The important points are straightforward once they are laid out: choose the correct shade for your natural hair color, apply the cream to dry and unwashed hair, follow the appropriate processing time, rinse thoroughly, use the supplied after-treatment shampoo, and allow several days between repeat applications when additional repigmentation is needed.
Most importantly, follow the safety information and the instructions supplied with your own product. That way, you are using Schwarzkopf Re-Nature according to the manufacturer’s current directions rather than relying on an old translation or guesswork.
See all Schwarzkopf Re-Nature products at GermanBuy
Sources & Further Reading:
Schwarzkopf – Re-Nature Product Information
Schwarzkopf – Re-Nature for Men: Application Instructions
dm – Schwarzkopf Re-Nature Men Dark: Product and Safety Information
