Tips To Prevent Your Hair Color From Fading

Spending all that time and money at the salon is always worth it when you walk out with a fresh new color. But whether your color came from a box or professionally colored, nothing lasts forever. While professionally dyed hair typically lasts anywhere from four to six weeks (give or take), there are some steps you can take to ensure your color lasts as long as possible. Maintaining your color at home really starts as soon as you walk out of the salon. Here’s what you can do to keep your hair color from fading:

Don’t Shampoo for Two Full Days After Coloring

The cuticle of your hair takes two full days to shut down, even with the use of neutralizers. You want to make sure the color is trapped in there before you do anything to it.

The Less Shampoo You Use, The Better

Color oxidizes, so the more often you shampoo, the more likely it is to fade and turn brassy. If that’s not the tone you are going for, you should aim for washing your hair about two to three times a week.

Stay Away from Products That Contain Harsh Ingredients

In order to make your hair color last, it’s important to keep it moisturized. Using products that contain sulfates dries the hair out, which makes it harder for your hair to hold on to color. It’s important to use good professional products that don’t have sulfates. Products that contain collagen, biotin, and vitamin B can help to keep your hair healthy and hydrated.

Protect Your Hair from the Sun

One of the most crucial ways to protect your hair color is by wearing a hat or a scarf when you are spending a good amount of time in the sun as well as using hair products that contain UV protection which will help prevent the sun from fading your color.

Always Rinse Your Hair after Going for a Swim

It’s especially important to take extra care of your hair during the summer months if you want the color to last. Sun, chlorine, and salt can all cause the color to oxidize and fade rapidly, especially when you are exposed to all three at once. They impact your strands in a similar way that bleach does. Be sure to rinse your hair after a swim, regardless of whether you are in the ocean or a pool. If you are at the beach, take a few extra bottles of water with you so you can immediately wash any salt out of your hair.

Wash Your Hair with Cool Water

One of the biggest mistakes people make after getting their hair dyed is washing with hot water. Doing this opens the cuticle, releases the color, and then sends that color right down the drain. Washing with cool water will keep the cuticle closed and help prevent water from entering the hair shaft where it strips the color.

Schedule a Toner or Gloss Six Weeks After You Get Your Hair Colored

Colored hair fades over time and needs refreshing. This is something you want to consider doing, especially if you got your hair done at the salon.

I hope these tips help you preserve your colored treated hair and until next time, be happy, healthy and beautiful!