You may have reached a point in your life where you want to add a twist to your individuality. It could be the season, a new partner in your life, a new location or just changing your hair color as a way to reinvent yourself.
Although you may be excited about the idea of a new look, if you want to enjoy and keep up with your new hairstyle, you’ll need to take great care of your color-treated hair. Here are some tips you can use!
1. Plan ahead and think your decision out thoroughly.
Dyeing your hair can take you to the point of no return. Often times, it is extremely hard to dye your hair back to its natural color.
Keep in mind that if you’re trying to lighten up your hair, your hair will become much more course and dryer than it used to be. The more shades lighter that you go, the dryer your hair will be.
2. Use mild, color-treated shampoo and a moisture-rich conditioner.
Most shampoo bottles will state if they are designed for color-treated hair. They are specifically formulated to be both gentle and protective. Steer clear of clarifying shampoos that can be harsh and stripping to your hair.
A great moisture-rich conditioner is a key factor in maintaining the moisture balance in your hair. Since your hair has been treated with chemicals like ammonia, this will nourish it and provide it with natural shine and volume.
3. Stick to lukewarm or cooler water when rinsing hair.
When shampooing your hair, be sure to avoid using hot water by washing it in the coldest water you can stand. Hot water strips your hair of its natural oils, leaving it dull and brittle, while cold water will not only help you keep your color but also help you keep your hair’s health and shine.
4. Deep Condition!
It is extremely important to deep condition at least once a week. Make sure you are deep conditioning with a quality conditioner that is specifically meant for deep conditioning. Be sure to leave the conditioner in for at least 35 to 40 minutes. If you’re in a rush, put on a plastic shower cap while in the shower and let the conditioner sit underneath while you wash your body.
5. Use Protein Treatments
Protein treatments are extremely important in helping you repair the oils that you have lost during your color treating process. Try using a reconstruct after the second week that you have colored your hair and wait a couple a months before you reapply this treatment.
6. Don’t redye your hair too often.
Less is more. Even though we all want our hair to look as good as possible and don’t want to see any new growth or fading, our hair shaft is delicate and should be dyed no more than once in a six-week period. Any sooner than that and your hair is prone to breakage, splitting, tangles and brittle texture. Color will always damage your hair but you can eliminate the amount of damage you create.
7. Protect your hair with Heat Protectant
Hair coloring can compromise the health of your hair and adding heat to your already sensitive hair can be very damaging. If you insist on curling, straightening or blow drying your hair, don’t forget to use a heat protector to prevent even more damage.
*Key Tips*
- Be sure that whatever style you choose goes with your lifestyle and agrees with your current or potential jobs or school requirements.
- Vibrant colors may require you to bleach your hair and may make dyes fade faster. Stripped hair is often dryer than those on natural or unbleached hair. Make sure you are extra careful about washing so you can make it through those months between coloring.
- Color-treated hair is more delicate than non-colored hair. Don’t brush or comb it too harshly, no matter how it may feel in the shower.
- Make sure your color looks good on you beforehand! Deciding that violet-red does not go with your olive skin tone is not the decision to make after the job is finished.
- When in doubt, talk to your stylist! They are your best source for hair care advice and if you visit a stylist regularly, she or he should know your hair almost as well as you do!