If you just colored your hair, you’d want it to last long, right? There are plenty of ways you can make this happen.
Whether you chose subtle balayage or simple highlights, it is essential to know how to maintain and protect your color-treated hair. Moreover, salons are expensive, and you probably spent good money to achieve your hair color goals.
With a little extra care and attention, your colored hair stays healthy and looks vibrant for much longer. Let’s find out how.
- Keep Your Hair Hydrated
Yes, that’s the magic mantra! Keep your hair hydrated as much as possible because hair tends to become dry and brittle after coloring.
Deep conditioning helps the hair retain its moisture, making it soft and shiny. It is also a good idea to get a hot oil treatment at least three days before coloring. Hot oil treatments not only nourish your hair but also protect it from drying out, owing to all the chemicals in the dye.
- Wait before you shampoo
Once you color your hair, wait at least 72 hours before shampooing your hair. The ammonia present in the dye opens the hair cuticles so that the color can penetrate the hair shaft. It takes up to three days for the cuticle layer to fully close.
If you shampoo right after coloring your hair, there are chances of your hair color fading and looking dull instantly. If you want to keep your new tone looking vibrant, it’s best to wait it out on the shampooing.
- Get Frequent Touch-ups
If your hair grows fast, chances are your non-colored roots are going to show up rather quickly. If this bothers you, visit your salon or colorist for regular touch-ups.
Touch-ups are useful if you want to color a specific portion of your hair where the color has faded away. If you think this is too high maintenance, opt for highlights or streaks. This way, it won’t be very noticeable when the color starts to fade.
- Go for a sulfate-free shampoo
Sodium Laureth Sulfate is one of the most common ingredients present in shampoos. Using sulfates on color-treated hair is a terrible idea as this is likely to strip your hair of both its color and moisture.
If you want to ensure that your hair color stays for longer, choose a sulfate-free formula, specifically for color-treated hair. Organic shampoos made from natural ingredients are also a good alternative as they are gentle on the hair.
- Add a pinch of dye
Whenever you condition your hair, add a pinch of dye to the conditioner. This can help restore color that washes away because of shampooing.
This hack works well if you sport bright colors such as pink, blue or purple.
- Check water temperature
A hot shower may feel wonderful, but it is best to avoid washing your hair with hot water. This strips your hair of its natural oils and fades color tremendously.
It is advisable to adjust your water temperature to lukewarm or cold while washing your hair.