When you’ve left the salon with that perfect shade of hair color, you’ll want it to last as long as possible.
Your stylist will probably guide you on how to take care of your dyed hair, but if they didn’t, here are five tips to help your color stay vibrant and healthy for as long as possible.
Wash it Less
You should avoid washing the hair for the first day or two after you’ve colored it. This will allow the color time to set and help it last longer.
Then, you’ll want to wash your hair less often than you usually would. Cleaning it every other day or even every third day is good—2 or 3 times each week. When you do wash your hair, use lukewarm water and a color-safe shampoo.
Use Color-Protective Shampoo
Normal shampoo can be harsh and strip away the color, so it’s best to avoid it if you want to preserve the dyed color. Instead, look for a shampoo that is specifically labeled as “color-safe” or “for colored hair.” Shampoo for colored hair is formulated to be gentle on your hair and help protect the color.
Even with color-safe shampoo, you should avoid washing your hair too often.
When you do shampoo your hair, massage it into your scalp gently and avoid scrubbing too hard. Your hair is especially vulnerable to damage when wet.
Use More Conditioner
Conditioner helps to protect your hair and keep it hydrated, which is especially important for colored hair.
Hair dye can make your hair fragile and dry—your hair is attempting to repair itself by making it easy to expel the color. Regular conditioning will help restore the protective barrier around each strand of hair, making it less likely that the color will fade.
Avoid Sun Exposure and Heat
Sunlight and heat can damage your hair, making the color fade more quickly. If you’re going to be spending time in the sun, wear a hat or head covering to protect your hair.
You should also avoid heat (including blow drying, straightening, and curling) and hot water as much as possible, as these can damage your fragile hair and cause the color to fade.
Another thing to avoid is chlorinated pools. Chlorine can interact with hair dye and cause it to fade or even change color. If you’re a frequent swimmer, rinse your hair thoroughly before and after swimming to minimize the amount of chlorine exposure.
One Treatment at a Time
Since colored hair tends to be dry and fragile, you should avoid using multiple hair treatments simultaneously. This includes things like bleach, perms, relaxers, and other chemical treatments—including additional colorings.
Not only can combining treatments cause your dyed hair color to fade or change, but they can also damage your hair and cause split ends or even hair loss. If you want to use multiple treatments, talk to your stylist about the best way to do it without damaging your hair.
You might also want to consider dyeing your hair less frequently, as frequent chemical treatments can permanently damage your hair and potentially impact your physical health.
