You can spend a pretty penny for the perfect hair color that you have always been wanting. So, it is important to keep that new color staying fresh and up-to-date, even a month or two after the treatment. The big question is, what can you do to keep your hair color fresh in-between your hair services?
When you dye your hair, the pigments are held captive inside the hair strands. But anything that can lift the hair shaft’s cuticle, allowing pigment particles to escape, can fade that pretty color. One of the biggest color-stealing culprits? H2O. Plain water dilutes the pigment and causes it to fade faster. But before you stop washing your hair for good, try these hair saving techniques that will save your color!
Avoid Hot Showers
Hot water doesn’t only dry out your skin; it can decrease the life of your hair color. The temperature opens up your cuticle, releasing your precious color—and moisture. The key to showering with hair color is to shower and shampoo with room temperature water, towel dry, condition, then rinse with cold water. This will provide longer-lasting color, keeping your locks nice and hydrated while also eliminating split ends.
Swim Smarter
Protect your hair in the sun and chlorine. Use a hair protector with SPF when in the sun, pool, and ocean to keep your color from fading. A product with sunflower oil is great as it also has antioxidants to protect the hair.
Wait to Wash Your Hair
The new dry shampoo offerings on the market can be a hair saver to newly-colored hair because when you wash less, color lasts longer. After getting your your hair color service, it is best to not wash your hair for at least 24-48 hours. When you do have to wash, opt for a gentle sulfate-free shampoo.
Don’t Overuse the Hot Tools
Staying away from your hot tools the first week after coloring your hair will also help prevent the color from fading. Hot tools such as blow dryers and straighteners actually speed up the process of color fading. While these tools are sometimes necessary, it is best to stay away from them the first week or so after you color your hair.
Use a Thermal Protectant
This will protect your hair against heat damage from styling tools. Thermal protectants will help reduce color fade by keeping the integrity of the hair in good condition.
Deep Condition Less
While deep conditioning or at-home masks are a good idea before you color, but they can fade a rich brunette or vibrant red. The conditioner or mask is designed to get deep in the hair follicle to moisturize. However, when it’s rinsed out, it takes the color molecule with it—resulting in the color fading. To avoid this, a good daily conditioner will do the trick (just don’t leave it on for a long period of time).
Use Color Protecting Shampoo and Conditioner
Wash and condition your strands with products formulated to be protective. At Elements, there are several products by Moroccanoil, Sudzz, and Loma that have color protectant ingredients to help keep your color treated hair intact. Especially if you have blonde highlights or are a full color blonde, using a purple or blue shampoo weekly will help tone down the brassy/yellow tones in the hair, keeping your blonde looking like new.