Color treated hair is a beautiful way to express yourself but it requires special care to maintain its vibrancy and health. While professional colorists do an excellent job of applying color, the maintenance is just as important. To keep your hair colour looking fresh and vibrant, it’s essential to follow a proper hair care routine and use products that support color treated hair.
Use a Sulfate Free Shampoo
Shampoos that contain sulfates can strip natural oils from your hair, causing color to fade faster. Sulfates, like sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium chloride, are commonly used in shampoos to create a lather but they are harsh on color treated hair. While they do an excellent job of cleaning, sulfates also remove essential moisture and oils, which can lead to dryness and quicker fading of color.
To protect your color, choose a sulfate free shampoo. Sulfate free formulas are much gentler on it and help maintain both moisture and hair colour. These shampoos cleanse your hair effectively without stripping it of its natural oils, preserving the color and shine. Look for shampoos that are specifically labeled for color treated hair, as they are designed to be more gentle and provide extra protection against color fading.
Avoid Washing Your Hair Too Often
Washing your hair too frequently can lead to the loss of color, as the constant washing strips away natural oils from your scalp. These oils help keep your hair healthy and hydrated, while also maintaining the vibrancy of your color. Ideally, you should wash your hair no more than two to three times a week.
In between washes, you can refresh your hair with dry shampoo to absorb excess oil and maintain volume. This will help extend the life of your color while avoiding the damage caused by washing too often. If you feel the need to wash your hair more frequently, consider using a sulfate free, color safe dry shampoo that won’t compromise your color. For longer lasting color, try rinsing your hair with cool water after washing, as this helps seal the hair cuticle and keeps the color intact.
Condition Regularly with a Color Safe Conditioner
After shampooing, always use a conditioner designed for color treated hair. A good conditioner helps to replenish moisture and ensure your hair remains soft and manageable. Color treated hair can often become dry and brittle, so regular conditioning is crucial to maintain both the health and appearance of your hair.
Look for conditioners that contain ingredients like sunflower seed extract, jojoba oil and vitamin E, which help lock in color and moisture. These ingredients protect your hair from environmental damage and prevent color from fading prematurely. Always apply conditioner to the mid lengths and ends of your hair to avoid making the scalp greasy. Use a deep conditioning treatment once a week to provide extra nourishment and hydration for your color treated hair. This will help restore moisture and prevent dryness or breakage.
Limit the Use of Heat Styling Tools
Heat styling tools such as blow dryers, straighteners and curling irons can cause damage to any hair type but they are especially harmful to color treated hair. Heat opens the hair cuticle, allowing moisture to escape and leading to dryness and color fading. The more you use heat on your hair, the more it will weaken the hair shaft and strip away your color.
While it may be difficult to completely avoid heat styling, there are steps you can take to minimize damage. If you must use a flat iron or blow dryer, always apply a heat protectant spray or serum beforehand. These products create a barrier between your hair and the heat, reducing the potential for damage and helping your hair colour last longer. Keep your heat styling tools at a low to medium temperature (below 300°F) to prevent unnecessary damage and use them as sparingly as possible.
Use a Deep Conditioning Treatment Weekly
Color treated hair tends to be drier and more porous than untreated hair. This means that it can quickly lose moisture and become brittle or frizzy, especially if you’ve used bleach or harsh chemicals in your hair colour process. Deep conditioning treatments provide extra nourishment and hydration, keeping your hair soft, shiny and healthy.
Choose a deep conditioning mask or treatment that’s specifically formulated for color treated hair. These treatments often contain nourishing ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, or keratin, which work to repair damage and restore moisture. Applying a deep conditioning mask once a week will help keep your hair in top condition, ensuring that your color stays vibrant for longer. For added protection, leave your deep conditioning treatment on for longer (at least 15-30 minutes) to allow your hair to fully absorb the product.
Protect Your Hair from UV Rays
Just like your skin, your hair can suffer from the harmful effects of the sun. Ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause your hair to become dry and fade your color. If you spend a lot of time outdoors, it’s essential to protect your hair from UV damage.
There are several ways to protect your hair from the sun. First, consider wearing a hat when you're outside to shield your hair from direct sunlight. You can also use hair care products that contain UV filters. These products act as a sunscreen for your hair, blocking harmful rays and preventing color from fading prematurely. Some leave in conditioners and styling products include UV protection. Apply them before heading out in the sun for added protection.
Rinse with Cool Water
After you’ve finished washing and conditioning your hair, give it a final rinse with cool water. While warm or hot water can strip your hair of moisture and cause the color to fade, cool water helps seal the hair cuticle, locking in both moisture and color. This simple step can make a significant difference in the health and appearance of your color treated hair.
Cool water helps to smooth the hair cuticle, making your hair appear shinier and less frizzy. It also prevents color molecules from escaping, ensuring that your color lasts longer and looks more vibrant. If your hair is prone to frizz, using cool water for the final rinse can help keep it sleek and smooth.
Caring for color treated hair is simple but requires extra attention. By using sulfate free shampoos, conditioning regularly, limiting heat styling, and protecting from UV damage, you can maintain vibrant, healthy hair for longer. With the right products and routine, your hair will shine with lasting hair colour and vitality.
