7 Secrets to Making Your Hair Color Last Longer
Changing your hair color is a great way to get a new look for the season. Whether you are lightening up for the summer or going dark for the winter, this one small change can have a huge impact on your look. From highlights and lowlights to glazes and full-color, coloring your hair is an investment. Protect your investment by helping it last as long as possible.
Here are 7 secrets to making your hair color last longer.
Avoid hot water.
While a hot shower may feel good, it is less than ideal for colored hair. Hot water can gradually lift the dye from your hair and ruin your color. Using cool water when washing dyed hair is the best way to prolong the color.
Postpone the shower.
It is recommended that you wait at least 24 hours after getting color before shampooing your hair. This gives the dye an opportunity to settle into your hair, thus making it last longer. Not to worry, you can still get that freshly-washed feeling by rinsing your hair with cold water.
Space out your wash days.
Washing your hair too frequently can strip it of its color and natural oils. Try spacing out your washes every few days. If your hair is prone to oily buildup, try using a dry shampoo between washes.
Another color-extending technique is to alternate shampoos. Use a hydrating shampoo one wash and a color-preserving shampoo the next. This allows your hair to get the benefit of both products.
Switch up your products.
While everyone has their go-to shampoo and conditioner products, switching to products that are specially formulated for colored hair is strongly recommended. Many shampoo and conditioner products contain sulfates and salts that are harmful to colored hair. Alternatively, look for products that are alcohol- and sulfate-free. They are just as effective and will help make your color last longer.
Change your conditioning technique.
Although many of these tips have been about your shampoo, your conditioner is just as important. In addition to using a conditioner that is designed for color-treated hair, it is also important to make sure that the product is being applied correctly. When using a color conditioner, be sure to remove as much water as possible from the hair before applying the product. Part the hair into small sections so that each section can be thoroughly saturated with conditioner. Allow the product to sit, preferably with heat, prior to rinsing with cool water.
Avoid Clarifying Shampoos.
When dealing with colored hair, clarifying shampoos should be avoided. These products can strip or alter color-treated hair. Anti-dandruff shampoos that are not specifically designed for colored hair can have the same effect.
Avoid using heat on your hair.
The sad reality is that every time you use a blow dryer or curling iron, it causes damage to your hair. If you absolutely must use these products, be sure to use the lowest heat setting possible and apply a heat protectant to your hair prior to styling it. This creates a protective barrier between the heat and your hair. It also helps hydrate the hair which can help the color last longer.
You invest a lot of time and money into finding the right color for your hair. These 7 tips will help you ensure that the color lasts as long as possible. Lastly, we do haircuts, hair coloring, keratin treatments, and Dominican blowouts.