Hair dyes penetrate your luscious locks, deep into your hair strands. However, the chemicals can cause breakage, damage, and dryness to your hair. Without care and with time, you may notice your hair becoming dull and brittle. This becomes even more prevalent if you use different products for different hairstyles.
So, do you want to prevent your air from looking lifeless? Read on to find out tips for hair color aftercare that you need to follow if you wish to keep your hair protected and healthy.
Quick Touch-Up
If you have fast-growing hair, you may face an issue of roots showing. That may require a color touch-up.
But what do you do if you have an important meeting on Monday and that touch-up is not due until Wednesday? Well, it’s easy. Get your hands on a root touch-up spray and apply it. You would be good to go until your next professional touch-up session.
Root touch-up sprays are great when dealing with your roots showing in between hair color appointments. You can also keep one in your purse, or carry it with you on a trip on the weekend so that your hair looks picture-perfect each time, no matter where you are.
Wait 72 Hours Before Washing Freshly Dyed Hair
Newly colored hair is more prone to damage. This is because it becomes porous and susceptible to being in contact with a chemical for longer. Moreover, if you wash your hair within the first three days of getting it colored, chances are, the color may also fade.
Hence, it is better to wait before you get into the shower. This gives the dyeing time to settle down into the hair strands and helps it last longer and look fresher.
Invest in Right Shampoo
The shampoo you choose will also decide how long your color will last. The market has a plethora of color-protectant shampoos that help keep your hair color’s vibrancy intact.
It is better to get your hands on a formulated shampoo specially designed for color-treated hair. Not only will it keep your hair from looking as good as new, but it also maintains your hair’s natural pH levels — protecting it from damage.
Thanks to these special shampoos, your colors will last long. Also, color-safe shampoos help keep your hair hydrated and nourished. Such excellent properties help you restore your distressed and damaged hair.
That is why you need to make sure to avoid shampoos with sulfates and alcohol. These ingredients will not only strip away your natural oils but also the new dye from your hair.
Avoid Frequent Touch-Ups
Dying your hair frequently can be damaging. It can make your hair brittle and may also cause hair fall. This is why it’s important to only color your hair after every 8 to 12 weeks. In case you grow any roots in that time being, you can use temporary solutions. These include root concealer sticks and blonde hair root concealer touch-up sprays.
If you’re waiting for that time period and you’re booking your next hair appointment at the salon, ensure it includes hair care. This will help maintain your hair in the long run.
Do Not Shampoo Your Color-Treated Hair Frequently
How frequently you should wash your hair often depends on your hair type. However, if you can skip a few days of shampooing, especially if you have color-treated hair, then that’s beneficial for you.
You should not shampoo your hair frequently whether or not your hair is color-treated. Shampooing too much can damage your hair, making it weak and lifeless.
This is because shampoo strips away your hair’s natural oils, which helps keep the hair healthy and nourished. On the other hand, frequent washing can leach out the dye from your hair and make it look less vibrant. Wash your hair every 2 to 3 days to keep your dye preserved and your hair nourished. Also avoid sulfates as they can strip color from hair.
Opt for Dry Shampoo
You can not compromise on hygiene to make your hair look pretty. It would be best if you weren’t walking around with greasy hair. Dry shampoo is a great and quick solution to clear up your scalp of any build-up, grime, and gunk.
On the other hand, a color-safe dry shampoo is also less damaging than a regular shampoo. It only targets the dirt and dandruff in your hair and does not have a negative impact on freshly dyed hair.
You can use dry shampoo between washes to prevent your hair from seeming messy.
Do Not Skip Conditioner
You need to understand the importance of conditioners. Your hair needs to be moisturized as much as your skin. Otherwise, it will become frizzy and not look attractive. A conditioner not only helps detangle and smooth out your hair, but it also creates a protective layer around your hair.
The layer helps seal the moisture and protects the hair from any external damage. When you have healthy hair and cuticles, your hair appears more voluminous, shiny, and healthy.
Limit Exposure to Humidity
Rainy seasons and long showers can become your color-treated hair’s worst enemy. As long as your hair stays soaked, the chances of your hair color fading increase. When you bathe, use a shower cap, so your hair doesn’t get wet as frequently.
Don’t forget your raincoat, even if your town expects light rain. Other than that, you can also invest in anti-humidity hair serums that keep your hair protected from the harmful effects of humidity.
Stay Away From High Temperatures
Heat damages the outermost protective layer of your hair strand. It exposes your hair cuticle, which makes it easier for the color to leak out. Avoid taking hot showers, and instead, go for cold showers. If you can’t tolerate the cold, then you can go for lukewarm showers as well. Extremely hot water can be very damaging to color-treated hair.
Also, go easy on the hair straighteners, blow dryers, and curling wands. If you are using them, make sure to use a hair protectant spray or serum before you apply heating tools to your hair.
Eat Healthily
You are what you eat, and so is your hair. Having a healthy diet is vital if you want to keep your hair in optimal health. A nutrient-rich diet fuels hair growth and makes your hair appear luscious and fuller.
Protein is vital for your hair. While applying protein-dense products to our hair, it is even more critical to incorporate protein into our diets. Iron also helps stimulate hair growth. So to keep yourself and your hair in the best shape, have more nuts, vegetables, fruits, and grains.
Vitamin Supplements
In the modern world of growing fast food chains and unhealthy food, there is no doubt that our food may be lacking in vitamins. While we stuff our faces with carbs, we are missing out on some essential nutrients that our hair needs. These include:
- Biotin – It helps improve the overall health of your hair and makes them thicker.
- Vitamin C – It helps keep your scalp healthy.
- Vitamin B – It makes your hair smoother by improving the texture of your hair.
So, either you add more eggs, sardines, salmons, and carrots to your diet, or you invest in some vitamin supplements. Keeping your hair healthy is an essential part of hair dye aftercare.
Skip the Chlorine Pools
Chlorine and hair dye don’t mix too well. You want to keep your hair looking as good as new and your tresses healthy. That’s why it is better to keep your hair away from chlorine as much as possible. The harsh chemical can quickly weaken your hair and discolor it.
However, if you want to go for a swim, here are some precautionary you could consider:
- Wear a waterproof swim cap, so your hair stays dry even if you are 7 feet underwater.
- Apply a leave-in hair conditioner so that even if your hair comes in contact with chlorine, the damage is minimal.
- If your hair has come in contact with chlorine, wash it immediately with color-protectant shampoo. Don’t forget to also apply a generous amount of coconut oil as a restorative measure.
Get Your Trims
If you are not getting your hair trimmed regularly, it is about time you start. Your hair requires time at least every two months. Cutting your hair is a damage control measure for your dyed hair.
Since some dyes can be harsh, they can cause split ends. These split ends then travel up your hair, so to keep the frays at bay, trims are essential.
Final Words
To look your best, you need to put in a little effort to take care of your hair as well. Preventive measures and aftercare of freshly dyed hair are essential. Keep in mind our tips before you get your hair dyed again.
If you follow a good hair care routine, your hair dye will last longer, and your hair will look beautiful.
