Whether you’ve been colouring your hair for years or you’ve just had it dyed for the very first time, it’s important to know how to care for coloured hair in order to maintain colour at home between appointments. The chemical processes involved in dyeing hair do impact the structure of the hair, so they can cause a really noitceable change in the texture of your hair. In addition, in order to keep your colour looking bright and fresh, coloured hair does need some extra TLC, especially when it comes to hydration.
From what treatments to use to how often to wash your hair, these are our top tips for maintaining hair colour in between salon visits.
1. Choose the right shampoo
Some regular shampoos can strip colour from hair and speed up the fading process, so it’s important to choose a shampoo that’s suitable for coloured hair. Not only will the formula be more gentle, but it will be packed with moisturising ingredients to nourish dry hair and boost colour.
2. Don't wash hair too frequently
Washing your hair too frequently is one of the key reasons why you might notice colour fading fast. Try to reduce your hairwash cycle to once or twice a week (dry shampoos can help to keep hair from looking greasy) – you’ll find your hair settles into a new rhythm quite quickly. Alternatively, skip the shampoo every other wash and use a co-wash instead. Sort for ‘conditioning wash’ these shampoo-conditioner hybrids cleanse hair without stripping.
3. Never skip conditioner
Conditioner is your new best friend. Keeping hair hydrated and healthy will not only help to protect colour in the long-term, but will also help to boost colour and brighten shine immediately. For the best results, use rich, nourishing conditioners, or those specifically formulated for coloured hair.
4. Always use heat protection
The chemical processes that are involved in colouring hair do cause hair to become more fragile, which means it’s more susceptible to the damage caused by using heat tools, like straighteners, curlers, and hairdryers. Before you dry or style your hair, it’s important to apply a heat protection spray to reduce the damage caused by heat. You’ll find they also help to detangle hair and to prevent frizz and flyaways.
5. Add extra treatments into your routine
While conditioners are great for routine colour protection, using a mask or a product (often a spray or serum) specifically designed to help protect coloured hair is a great way to go above and beyond in your haircare routine. if you’ve noticed your hair feeling dry and brittle post-dyeing, look out for treatments that promise to repair and strengthen hair. If you’re after something to boost and brighten your colour, look for a semi-permenant colour boosting mask, and if you’ve dyed your hair blonde, you may want to use a toning product, which will help to keep your blonde looking cool and bright.
