Dyeing your hair at the hairdresser costs money, so when you finally get the perfect tone, you want to make it last as long as possible. Dark hues are known to fade much sooner than expected, but don't despair. If you know how to maintain the color, you can make it last longer.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Protect Color While Washing
Step 1. Avoid shampooing for 72 hours
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is washing your hair right after dyeing. The coloring process opens the cuticles, which is the capillary layer where the dye actually resides. One of the first steps to protect the color is to wait for the cuticles to close completely before washing your hair. To be on the safe side, allow for a 72-hour wait from dye.
As many women will know, some of the dye naturally discharges as the cuticle closes. You should use dark pillow cases and clothes to avoid staining them
Step 2. Wash less frequently
Although the cuticles have closed, washing will cause the hair to swell and drain the color. Just wash them less often to be able to keep the color better.
If you have oily hair and don't feel like washing it less often, use a dry shampoo designed for dyed hair. It will allow you to keep them clean, but without the damaging action of water and foaming agents
Step 3. Use shampoos and conditioners for dyed hair
When you wash your hair, use products specifically formulated to preserve the color. Most companies offer lines of targeted shampoos and conditioners to protect color; they can help you close the cuticles, thus keeping the color intense and shiny.
- In addition to using colored hair products, you should definitely avoid clarifying shampoos, as they can dry out your hair and speed up the fading process. Nonetheless, some hairdressers recommend using this product the day before retouching the color, especially as it helps to remove the old dye and prepare the hair for the new one.
- You can also consider products that release traces of pigments on the hair upon use. This allows you to do a kind of "micro-coloring" every time you use them. Just make sure you find an appropriate product for your color.
Step 4. Do not rinse your hair with hot water
Just as it opens the pores of the skin, hot water also opens the capillary cuticles, causing the dye to drain. It may not appeal to you very much, but using cold or slightly lukewarm water to wet and rinse your hair will help protect the dye. In addition to avoiding hot water, you shouldn't do too long rinses. Once you have carefully eliminated the shampoo and conditioner, do not let the water continue to run on the hair, as this can also slowly drain the dye.
Step 5. Pat your hair dry to dry
As many women have already noticed, rubbing a towel over dyed hair can ruin the fibers of the fabric. In addition, rubbing causes the dye to fade even more, especially since the cuticles have swollen and open due to the water. By gently blotting your hair and letting it air dry as much as possible, the dye will drain less.
Step 6. Consider installing a softener
In many places, tap water is hard. If you dye your hair often (and can afford the purchase), install a water softener in the shower. It will remove minerals and chlorine from the treated water, substances that can damage the hair and cause the dye to fade.
Part 2 of 2: Protect Color Out of the Shower
Step 1. Don't overdo the use of curling irons, straighteners and hair dryers
Thick dyed hair tends to be more brittle, therefore more vulnerable to heat. Try not to overuse the styling tools to protect them and prevent them from fading. If you absolutely need it to do a certain hairstyle, be sure to apply a heat protector first.
Step 2. Use specific products for colored hair
Many ingredients commonly found in hair products can dry them out, bleach them, or cause them to fade. Look for products that are targeted for dyed hair, and at the same time avoid those containing alcohol, peroxide or ammonia. Also, use products that are suitable for your hair type (thin, thick, oily, dry, and so on). In this way you will take care of them to always have them healthy and you will remedy the dryness or weakening often caused by dyes.
Step 3. Make a mask once a week
Moisturizing your hair and preventing it from drying out is important in keeping it healthy. By making a mask once a week, you can protect the tint. Make sure the product is paraben-free and contains aloe vera. After applying it, put on a shower cap to create a microenvironment that favors the penetration of the active ingredients into the cuticles and leave it on for an abundant hour.
If you prefer hot oil treatments to masks, you can do one. However, avoid using both types of products, unless you have extremely dry hair, as otherwise you risk making it look greasy
Step 4. Avoid excessive exposure to the sun
UV rays are among the most dangerous enemies of dyed hair. Sunlight certainly enhances the highlights and shine of your hair, but you should still try to reduce exposure. Take the opportunity to show off a nice hat.
Step 5. Use leave-in treatments with UV filtering properties
Of course, avoiding the sun entirely is unlikely and no one would want to. You can then use a leave-in treatment that contains substances that absorb and filter UV rays, although this method is less effective than wearing a hat or directly avoiding exposure.
To make sure these substances are effective, look for products containing benzophenone-3 or -4, polyquaternium-59, cinnamidopropyltrimonium chloride, or butyl methoxybenzoylmethane
Step 6. Avoid chlorine
Although chlorine is known to be bad for dyed hair, in the summer it is impossible to say no to a dip in the pool, especially on the hottest days. If you plan to go for a swim, first moisten your hair with tap water. This way, chlorine absorption will be limited once you jump into the pool. Rinsing your hair as soon as you get out of the pool is also helpful. In any case, when you can, it's best to avoid it completely.
Advice
- Despite all the effort you can put into it, red fades first due to a very simple matter of chemistry: crimson pigments are thicker than brown or black and more unstable.
- It is important to prepare your hair for coloring. The ideal is to do a nourishing treatment a week before the color and use a clarifying shampoo the day before.
