Coloring your hair is a fun way to switch up your look, but it requires some maintenance to keep it vibrant. The color care routine for dyed hair is different from the routine used on natural hair.
Caring for Dyed Hair
After you leave the salon, you need to care for your hair to ensure the color lasts and stays fresh. Whether you opt for blonde, brunette, red, or bold colors like silver, denim blue, green, or purple, following a color care routine is essential. This includes using products formulated for color-treated hair, minimizing heat styling, and protecting your hair from the sun to maintain your desired shade.
The Color Care Routine
Dyeing your hair means accepting that you will have to change up your hair care routine to one that is catered to chemically-colored hair. Here is a simple color care routine to follow:
Step 1 | Procrastinate doing your first wash
After coloring your hair, experts recommend that you avoid washing it for at least 48 hours. This allows the pigment to settle into your hair, ensuring the color lasts longer. Washing your hair too soon can cause the color to fade quickly. Additionally, using cold water and a color-safe shampoo or conditioner when you do wash your hair can help maintain the vibrancy of your color.
Step 2 | Wash your hair
After coloring your hair, it is crucial to use sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners made for color-treated hair to prevent fading. Washing your hair less frequently, about two to three times a week, retains natural oils that protect your hair's luster and vibrancy.
For blonde, silver, or platinum colors, use purple shampoo to remove brassiness; for brunettes, use blue shampoo to correct red tones. Rinse with cold water to seal the cuticle and maintain color. Deep condition regularly to repair damage and maintain color.
On days when you're not washing, use a color-safe dry shampoo on your color-treated hair. Spray it at the roots to absorb oil and keep your hair looking fresh between washes. Just be mindful that if you notice product buildup, a wash is necessary.
Step 3 | Dry your dyed hair
To keep your dyed hair healthy, avoid heat styling or drying whenever possible. Heat can damage your hair, causing the color to fade and the hair to become brittle. Instead, towel dry your hair and let it air dry naturally. If you must use heat, apply a heat protectant and use the lowest heat setting. Additionally, avoid going to bed with wet hair to prevent breakage and damage.
Step 4 | Protect from sun damage
To protect your dyed hair from the sun, use products with UV protection. UV rays can fade hair color, so it's important to shield your hair when outside. Look for styling products, leave-in conditioners, and hair sprays with SPF. Additionally, wearing a hat can provide extra protection. If you will be exposed to the sun for a long time, use a moisturizing spray with SPF 10 to 15. The sun's rays can dry out and break hair, leading to color fading.
