Whether you have your hair professionally colored or you use an at-home hair coloring kit, you want your color to last as long as possible. Unfortunately, there are many things that can cause your color to fade, including as washing your hair the wrong way or failing to keep it moisturized. Environmental factors such as heat, sun, and pool or ocean water can also leach the color from your hair. By making small changes to your hair care routine, though, you can make the color last longer — and if it starts to fade, you can use at-home treatments such as glazes or root touch-up kits to help freshen it up.
Washing Color-Treated Hair
Wait to wash your hair. To keep your hair color looking fresh as long as possible, the dye needs to settle in your hair. Washing your hair too soon after you color it can rinse some of the dye out so your hair color fades more quickly. For the best results, avoid washing your hair for at least 24 hours after you dye it. If you feel the need to clean your hair after dying it, just rinse it with cool water and scrub your scalp gently with your fingertips.
Wash your hair less often: Shampooing your hair every day can not only strip away its natural oils but the color as well. Keep your color fresh by washing every other day, every third day, or even just once a week if your scalp isn’t naturally very oily. If your hair looks dirty, greasy, or limp between washes, use a dry shampoo designed specifically for color-treated hair to soak up excess oil at the roots and add volume.
This is particularly important when you want to protect dark or bright shade, like black, purple or green.
Use a shampoo for color-treated hair: When you do wash your hair, it’s important to use the right product. Opt for a shampoo designed specifically for color-treated hair to avoid stripping the color. The formula should be sulfate-free and contain silicones, which help preserve the color by sealing the cuticle.
Moisturizing Color-Treated Hair
Use a conditioner for color-treated hair: Just as you should use a shampoo for color-treated hair, it’s important to use a conditioner designed to preserve color. Chemical treatments such as coloring can dry out your hair, making it more porous and more likely for the color to leach out. A conditioner for color-treated hair seals the cuticle and helps deliver moisture. Make sure to condition your hair every time that you wash it to ensure that it is properly hydrated. Deep condition your hair weekly: For color-treated hair, a basic conditioner isn’t always enough. Using a deep conditioner once a week after you shampoo can help moisturize your hair so it stays soft and shiny. It will also help keep your hair color from fading.
It’s best to use a deep conditioner for color-treated hair. They’re designed to prevent your hair color from fading or becoming brassy.
Apply your deep conditioner from the roots down to the ends if you have thick or coarse hair.
Apply your deep conditioner from mid-strand down to the ends if your hair is fine, thin, or oily. To receive the full benefits, allow the deep conditioner to sit on your hair for at least 10 minutes. Sitting under a heated dryer or putting a shower cap over your hair while the mask is on can help generate heat that allows it to penetrate your hair more effectively.
Treat your hair with jojoba oil: Even with regular use of conditioner for color-treated hair and a deep conditioner, your hair may get dry from time to time. Hair oils can help moisturize both dry and wet hair to help preserve the color. Jojoba oil is the best option because it most closely resembles natural hair oils.