Colored hair fades, it’s the natural order of things and there is nothing you can do to prevent this. However, you can extend the ‘lifespan’ of your color and have your locks vibrant, shining, and beautiful longer. Some of the hair care tips for color-treated hair will require using specialized solutions. However, they’ll be more cost-efficient in the long run than re-dying your locks. And less frequent treatments reduce the damage to your tresses.
Haircare Tips for Color-Treated Hair: How to Make Your Color Last
Red Hair
First of all, you need to know that red hair dye isn’t as long-lasting as other colors. The reason is the difference in the molecule formation of the red pigment. Therefore, your burgundy or ginger locks can’t remain that way long by default. You can learn more by studying the composition of hair dyes.
The only way to extend that time even a little bit is to focus on color protection. This means using only specialized shampoos and conditioners. You’ll also need to get extra protection from UV rays. It will be best to wear a hat or a scarf to cover your locks while out in the sunlight.
It’s also very important to reduce your contact with water to the minimum. When swimming in a pool or the sea, wet your locks under the tap and condition them first. You should also wear a swimming cap or at least braid your hair. Tying it up into a topknot will work as well.
Deep moisturizing is essential for maintaining the color of red hair and keeping your locks shining even as the color starts to fade. You also should cut down on the number of washes. If you need to wet your hair every day, use shampoo every other day and only condition on alternates. As hot styling is as bad as washing for the vibrancy of red pigment, choose a hairstyle that will allow you to minimize it.
Blonde Hair
The first rule of bleached hair care is to use tinted products whenever appropriate. For example, you’ll need to wash and condition your locks with products containing a violet pigment if you choose platinum blonde. You can see some available options if you click this link.
If there aren’t suitable tinted products available for your shade of blonde, you’ll have to resign yourself to the eventual yellowing of bleached locks. You also won’t be able to ‘hide’ grown out roots by anything but regular treatments.
Unless you tint your locks afte4r bleaching them, the haircare tips for color-treated hair you’ll need to use are all about deep-conditioning treatments. Colored blondes can’t have too much moisturizing and nourishment because bleaching is extremely damaging.
Due to the fact that this treatment makes both your locks and scalp very dry, you’ll need to cut down the washing to 2-3 times a week at most. If you want your tresses to feel their best, you’ll stick to 2 or even once a week. Using dry shampoo will help you keep your locks looking fresh.
Dark Hair
The exact color of dark hair dye you chose will affect how you care for it as this factor depends on the composition of the pigment. Dark shades of brown tend to fade rather fast. While this doesn’t mean your locks will lose all color, they can turn dull. Therefore, to preserve these shades, you’ll need to use the deep-conditioning color-preserving treatment regularly. Usually, you’ll only get it after getting the treatment in your salon. So, you’ll need to stock up on the best product.
Like with products for platinum blondes, there are tinted conditioners for dark colored hair. However, their shades are limited, so choose wisely. It might be best to simply stick with neutral products. The rules of less frequent washing and maximum color protection apply the same way as they do to red colored hair.