Hair coloring is empowering. It changes how you feel about yourself. It can reflect your style. It’s all about self-expression. You loved the bold, vibrant hue. Or, you opted for subtle highlights. Maintaining vibrant, color-treated hair takes special care.
This article will look at useful tips and tricks to keep your colored locks bright, healthy, and full of life.
What Is Hair Coloring Treatment?
Color-treated hair refers to any hair that has been permanently dyed. This can range from full hair coloring to specific techniques. Examples include balayage, highlights, lowlights, or covering gray hair. The process involves a chemical reaction that opens up the hair cuticle. This allows the dye to penetrate and deposit permanent color. This means the hair’s chemical structure has been changed. As a result, it requires different care compared to hair that hasn’t been colored.
12 Simple Steps To Take Care Of Coloured Hair
1. Choose the Right Products
Vibrant color-treated hair inherently entails choosing appropriate hair care products. Spend your money on sulfate-free, color-safe shampoo, and conditioner designed to preserve and improve your hair’s hue. These products work continuously to stop color fading and ensure healthy strands. Also, try using a deep-conditioning treatment or hair mask once a week. This will condition and moisturize your hair, keeping it soft and easy to manage.
2. Mindful Washing
When frequently washed, color-treated hair may lose its pigments, resulting in premature fading. To maintain your hair’s hue, you should wash your hair less often, about two to three times per week. If you shampoo your hair, use cool water because hot water will open up the cuticles of the hair and allow color molecules to escape. Use your fingers to apply the shampoo on your scalp. Use a wide-toothed comb to untangle your hair as much as possible while keeping tension off the strands.
3. Cold Rinse Technique
Finish your shower with a cold water rinse after conditioning. Cold water closes the hair cuticle and locks in moisture. This prevents color molecules from leaking away. Though it may be a little embarrassing, this small activity can help in making the color last long.
4. UV Protection
Similarly, the skin needs protection from the sun, and your color-treated hair is prone to UV damage. Sunlight can cause color fading and dryness. Protect your hair with UV-protective spray. Alternatively, wear a fashionable hat when you’re outside for long periods. This becomes an even more important precaution during the hot days of summer when the rays are most ferocious.
5. Heat Styling with Caution
Color-treated hair can have its vibrancy compromised by too much heat styling. To maintain your color, minimize using hot styling tools like flat irons and curling wands. Remember to apply a heat protectant before styling. Instead, choose low or medium heat levels and let your hair rest occasionally by wearing it wavy or curly in its natural state or with no-heat styles.
6. Professional Maintenance
Visiting your hairstylist frequently is one of the main aspects of maintaining color-treated hair. Schedule “touch-ups” to treat root growth and rejuvenate the color. Other professional treatments, like glossing and glazing, can add glow and intensity between color appointments. Have an open dialogue with your stylist. Together, create a personalized hair care regimen. This regimen should address specific issues or difficulties with color-treated hair.
7. Avoid Harsh Chemicals
Avoid using harsh chemicals that can strip away color and damage your hair. Chlorine, often found in swimming pools, can be highly damaging to color-treated hair. Wet your hair. Then, apply a leave-in conditioner. This will provide a protective barrier between your hair and the chlorine before entering the water.
8. Embrace Dry Shampoo
Add dry shampoo to your hair care regimen to prolong the time between washes. Dry shampoo is a godsend because it can absorb unwanted oil. It leaves your hair smelling clean and looking fresh and voluminous without a full wash. Search out color-specific dry shampoos to prevent any white residue that may diminish your color.
9. Gentle Towel Drying
Be gentle with your color-treated hair even when towel-drying it. Rub your hair gently with a towel, instead of pressing it hard to prevent damage to the cuticle through friction. How about using a microfiber towel or an old T-shirt because these materials are gentler on the hair?
10. Lower Your Shower’s Heat to Protect Hair Color
It’s surprising, but the temperature of your shower can impact how your hair color looks. Hot water opens the hair cuticle, leading to the loss of color molecules during a wash. This is particularly noticeable with red hair dye, which has larger molecules and is more prone to fading and losing vibrancy. So, remember to use cooler water in the shower to help keep your hair color looking fresh and bright.
11. Hydration from Within
After the inside-out procedure starts, healthy hair for color-treated locks largely depends on staying hydrated. Drink plenty of water. Also, eat balanced food with all the vitamins and minerals important for good hair. Consider including omega-3 fatty acids, biotin, and antioxidants in your diet. Doing so will help maintain healthy hair.
12. Eating Right for Fabulous Hair
Your diet plays a crucial role in the health and appearance of your hair. Nutrients from healthy foods are essential for fueling hair growth. They also help maintain its shine. Foods high in iron and protein are especially good for hair. They help build strong keratin, the key protein that strengthens hair. They also enhance its texture and promote growth. Include lean meat, fish, low-fat cheese, egg whites, spinach, and soy. This will help keep your color-treated hair in top condition. Additionally, snacking on fruits, nuts, vegetables, and grains is a great way to nourish your hair throughout the day.
Wrap Up
Keeping the brightness of color-treated hair is an art that needs dedication and careful consideration. By selecting the perfect products, changing your wash ritual, safeguarding your hair from environmental impacts, and focusing on proper salon services, you can have vibrant and long-lasting color that suits your distinctive style. Enjoy your color-treated hair, as it is beautiful and vivid.
