When you’ve spent money on a salon dye job and you love it, you want that gorgeous color to last as long as possible. And equally, even if you’ve done a home color and you love the result, you want it to stay that way for as long as you can stretch it out. So what do you need to do to make hair color last?
1 It’s Made Easier when You Choose a Color Close to Your Original
The best start is to select a suitable color in the first place. You may find it a bit daring to select a color that's the complete opposite of your natural hair color, but you will have a hard time keeping the shade for a long time. It is mainly because your roots will soon begin to show and you will need to re-dye. Selecting a color near to your natural hair color is the easiest way to make a dye job last longer.
Frequently asked questions
2 Don’t Let Prolonged Sun Exposure Ruin Your Gorgeous Color
Ultraviolet rays are harmful to skin and hair, and these same UV rays can also damage and dry out any hair color. Spend more time in the sun and you will have dull-looking, lifeless hair. The answer is to apply hair sunscreens before you go out. This will help prevent UV rays from penetrating the cuticle, causing the color to oxidize.
3 Use Color-protecting Product Because That’s What They’re Designed to do
You may think you're using the best quality conditioners and shampoos, but they may not be the best for protecting your hair color. It is important that you use protective conditioners and shampoos because they have the ingredients to seal your hair cuticle. This will ensure that your strands can maintain the color for longer. You should also avoid using clarifying shampoos because they will strip strands and trigger the fading process.
4 Protect Your Hair from the Chlorine in Pool Water
Pool water contains chlorine and mineral deposits that can give a green-orange tinge to hair – they will also reduce the effects of your hair dye. It is therefore a good idea to use a protective conditioner before you go swimming.
5 Shampooing Less Regularly Will Prolong Hair Color
Washing strips the color from your hair. Shampooing makes hair strands swell, causing the dye to wash out – slowly but surely. You should avoid shampooing too often, and use sulfate-free shampoos, color conditioners or similar products that re-color your hair a little every time you wash.
6 Be Mindful of the Washing Temperature Too
Washing your hair too often is never a great idea, but using hot water is a recipe for disaster for freshly colored hair. Always use cooler water whenever you want to wash your hair and finish with a cold rinse to seal the cuticle.
7 You Can Help Hair Color by Being Smart with Your Styling Too
It follows that if hot water isn’t good for colored hair, then heat styling isn’t either. In the first week after coloring you should avoid hot tools completely if you can, to give the dye the best chance to bed in. After that, always use protective products when using your hair dryer or any heat styling tool.
Doing these things should help you avoid touch ups and re-dyes. They should also help with the health and condition of your hair when it has been colored.
