Getting your hair colored can be fun and expressive, but it can also damage your hair if not properly taken care of. Colored hair tends to be drier and more prone to fading than virgin hair. However, with the right products and techniques, you can keep your color looking vibrant for as long as possible.
Use a Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Sulfates are cleansing agents found in many shampoos. They create a rich lather that deeply cleanses, but this very stripping effect can be harsh on color-treated hair. As sulfates remove dirt and oils, they also remove hair dye molecules. This accelerates fading and dullness.
Opt for a high-quality, sulfate-free shampoo instead. These are gentler on hair and help lock in moisture, keeping color vibrant for longer. Look for options specifically formulated for color-treated hair. Many contain ingredients like keratin, jojoba oil, and sunflower seed extract to nourish strands.
Use Cool Water
Whenever you wet your hair, use the coolest temperature water possible. Hot water opens up the hair cuticle, causing color molecules to escape more quickly. This leads to faster fading. Cool water has the opposite effect – it helps seal the cuticle and lock in color pigments.
Make the final rinse with cool water too. Finish your shower with a burst of cool water to close the cuticle and maximize shine and color retention.
Limit Washing Frequency
Over-washing is another common culprit when it comes to faded, dull color-treated hair. Too frequent washing strips the hair and accelerates color loss. Experts typically recommend washing no more than 2-3 times per week for color maintenance.
You may need to train your hair if switching from daily washing. Use a dry shampoo on off-days to soak up oil and make hair look and feel freshly washed. Gradually stretch out your washing schedule to avoid excess oiliness.
Use a Deep Conditioner
A weekly deep conditioner treatment does wonders for keeping color-treated hair hydrated. Look for options specifically formulated for color maintenance, as these contain bonding and sealing ingredients to lock in dye molecules.
After shampooing, apply the deep conditioner liberally throughout your hair. Let it soak for at least 5 minutes before rinsing out. The extra moisture helps repair damage and fills in porous areas where color would escape.
Limit Heat Styling
Frequent use of hot tools like blow dryers, straighteners and curling irons can rapidly fade your hair color. The high heat damages the hair and causes the cuticle to open, allowing color to escape.
Limit heat styling to 1-2 times per week if possible. Always use a heat protectant spray to minimize damage. If you do heat style, keep temperatures lower to preserve your hair color for longer.
Protect Hair from Sun Damage
Just like skin, hair is vulnerable to UV ray damage from the sun. This damage can bleach color from strands, leading to dry, fried and faded hair.
When outdoors, protect your hair by wearing a hat or using an UV-protectant hair product. Look for sprays and creams with UV filters specifically designed to shield hair and preserve color.
Get Regular Trims
Over time, your color-treated hair will develop split ends where dyes escape and cause uneven, patchy fading. Getting regular trims every 6-8 weeks removes these split ends and keeps color looking vibrant.
Ask your stylist to trim just enough to get rid of splits – no more than 1/4 inch. Removing too much length will take away more colored hair than necessary.
Use a Clarifying Shampoo
Product buildup on the scalp and hair can make colored hair look dull, muted and uneven. Using a clarifying shampoo once a week helps remove this buildup so color looks clean, bright and even again.
Work a clarifying shampoo through dry hair before washing as usual. Concentrate on the scalp area where most buildup occurs. Rinse thoroughly and follow with a deep conditioner for moisture.
DIY Hair Masks for Color Protection
Whip up a nourishing hair mask right in your kitchen using everyday ingredients. Applying a homemade mask 1-2 times per week boosts moisture and helps seal in color for brighter, longer-lasting hues.
Try mixing ingredients like olive oil, avocado, honey, or coconut oil. For color protection, add a spoonful of cider vinegar to help seal the cuticle. Apply liberally and let sit for 20 minutes before rinsing.
Sleep on a Satin Pillowcase
Cotton pillowcases can rob moisture from your hair and cause friction that damages the cuticle. This leads to color fading and breakage over time.
Sleep on a satin or silk pillowcase instead. The smoother surface minimizes friction and allows hair to glide freely without tangles. Satin also helps hair retain its natural oils and moisture as you sleep.
Use Dry Shampoo Sparingly
While dry shampoo extends time between washes, overuse can make hair look dull and faded. The starch-based formulations can leave behind a powdery residue that covers up vibrant color.
Use dry shampoo sparingly – just to refresh hair between washes. Apply to roots only and brush thoroughly to prevent buildup. Clarify regularly to remove residue that can make color-treated hair look lifeless.
Avoid Chlorine
The chlorine and chemicals in pools can be damaging for color-treated hair. Chlorine strips color while also drying out strands, causing fading and brittle, lackluster locks.
Before swimming, coat hair in a protective cream or oil to block chlorine absorption. Always rinse hair immediately after getting out of the pool to remove lingering chemicals.
Touch Up Roots Regularly
As your colored hair grows out, roots will start to show through and create an obvious line of demarcation. Visible roots can make your color job look unfinished and messy.
Get your roots touched up every 4-6 weeks to blend new growth and eliminate root regrowth. Time touch ups around when the grey line becomes noticeable for seamless color.
Use Color-Protecting Products
Look for shampoos, conditioners, sprays and other products specially designed to protect color-treated hair. These contain antioxidants, UV filters, bonding agents and vitamins to lock in color.
Using a full system of color-protecting products helps create a protective shield around hair strands to maintain vibrant, fade-resistant color.
| Color-Protecting Ingredient | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Keratin | Strengthens and repairs damaged hair to reduce color fading |
| Jojoba Oil | Adds moisture and shine while sealing the cuticle |
| Sunflower Seed Extract | Contains antioxidants that fight color-depleting free radicals |
| Shea Butter | Deeply conditions and protects against UV rays and heat styling |
Conclusion
Caring for color-treated hair requires some additional TLC. With a gentle sulfate-free shampoo, deep weekly conditioning, protective styling, and regular trims, you can keep your hair color luminous and prevent fading.
Avoid over-washing, limit heat tools, and shield hair from chlorine and sun exposure. Use color-depositing products to boost shine and refresh color between salon appointments. Treat your tresses with a little extra care so you can rock your fabulous hair hues for months.