You finally got the color you wanted… but now your hair is dry and brittle like straw? Luckily with the right techniques and products you can get them back soft and nourished. Continue reading the article and get ready to tap into the ingredients you have in the fridge to make a super hydrating mask.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Returning Hydration to Hair
Step 1. Hydrate them immediately after dyeing
Generally the do-it-yourself kit for dyeing hair at home also contains a sort of conditioner that must be applied as a last step. If not, you can use your usual conditioner: apply it on your hair, leave it on for at least 3 minutes and then rinse it off with cold or lukewarm water.
- If you are in the habit of dyeing your hair at the hairdresser, consult him to find out which are the best moisturizing treatments to use after dyeing.
- In general, products with integrated conditioner are quite aggressive and contain substances that are harmful to the hair. Be careful if you decide to use them and review the ingredients list.
- Wait 48-72 hours before washing or wetting your hair after dyeing to give it time to recover.
Step 2. Use an intensive action mask
In addition to your regular conditioner, you should apply a mask that nourishes and rebuilds your hair about once a week. If you have oily hair, massage it only on the lengths and ends, then leave it on for a few minutes before rinsing.
For those with a very busy life, there are no-rinse treatments and conditioners to apply or spray on damp and clean hair
Step 3. When taking a shower, gradually reduce the water temperature
Start by using warm water to help open the follicles and finish with cold water to push them to close. Basically, thanks to hot water, hair absorbs moisture, while cold water helps it retain it, so resist the temptation to take a hot shower if you want to have soft and hydrated hair once dry.
Part 2 of 3: Keeping Hair Healthy
Step 1. Don't wash them every day
Shampoo has been shown to dehydrate them, so allow a couple of days between washes if possible (the ponytail was invented for this). When you shower, collect your hair and protect it from water by wearing a comfortable plastic cap. Just because you don't wash your hair doesn't mean you can't shower!
- Each person has different needs. Some of us need to wash our hair every 2 days, others once a week. Examine the roots - if they're greasy, it's time to shampoo. If not, enjoy the extra time you have to get ready in the morning.
- If you feel the need to get your hair wet when you shower, just rinse it and use conditioner.
Step 2. Use quality shampoo and conditioner
Choose a mild, sulfate-free shampoo, even better if it contains oils that nourish your hair. Of course, its formula must be appropriate for dyed hair.
Concentrate the shampoo on the roots and conditioner on the ends. Generally the conditioner is fatter and the result you want to achieve is to have the tips nourished and not the greasy roots
Step 3. Take into consideration the type of dye you used when choosing the products
Decide what kind of products to use based on what your hair needs and condition are.
- Blonde dyes lighten the hair by removing their natural color and damage them because they lift the cuticles, as a result the hair tends to tangle easily. This is why it is essential to use conditioner regularly.
- Semi-permanent or temporary dyes do not contain hydrogen peroxide, so they do not lighten the hair, but they are easier to apply and cause less damage. Since they last only 6 weeks, they must be reapplied more often, so in the long run they are still harmful to the hair and skin.
- Permanent dyes last longer, but the basic ingredients (oxidants and ammonia) damage the hair to a greater extent.
- In ammonia-free permanent dyes, a substance is used that is less harmful to the hair, however with excessive use the hair still tends to be damaged in the same way.
Step 4. Style your hair with heat as infrequently as possible
Whenever you use styling tools, your hair becomes dehydrated and further damaged. You can mask the frizz by picking them up or wearing a headband. Think of it as a short-term solution to a long-term problem. Put the straightener or curler aside at least a few days a week, you will notice improvements soon (unless your hair is seriously damaged).
If you can't help but use styling tools, at least try to lower the temperature and avoid ironing or curling the same strand more than once to give it time to recover. Unfortunately the hair will still be damaged, but to a lesser extent
Step 5. Trim your hair regularly
If you have damaged hair, you should trim it every 6-8 weeks. It generally appears that the tips are the ones that suffer the most damage from the dye, so cutting them is the most effective way to solve the problem. Also, since most people's hair does not grow beyond a certain point, trimming it also serves to rejuvenate it.
Step 6. Eat healthy for healthy hair
Adopt a balanced daily diet. We are what we eat, that's why if you don't feed yourself properly you can't have beautiful and soft hair. If you don't get enough nutrients, your body is unlikely to allocate some of it to your hair. Adopt a balanced diet to provide your body with the necessary proteins, vitamins, zinc, iron and minerals. In addition to hair, nails and skin will also benefit.
Drinking plenty of water is also helpful. Just as apple cider vinegar purifies the hair, so water purifies the entire body from the inside. A well hydrated body is more beautiful and fit
Part 3 of 3: Home Remedies to Moisturize Your Hair
Step 1. Use the eggs
The lecithin and proteins contained in eggs have an intensive moisturizing action from the roots to the tips. Your hair will get stronger, therefore it will break less. Here's how to use eggs to make hair softer:
- Blend 3 eggs with 1 tablespoon of honey and 2 tablespoons of coconut or olive oil. Apply the mask all over your hair and let it sit for 30 minutes. When finished, use the shampoo and conditioner as usual, then let your hair air dry.
- Alternatively, mix 2 eggs with 200ml of yogurt and 2 tablespoons of almond oil. You will get a creamy mask ideal for moisturizing the lengths and ends. Leave it on for 30 minutes, then use the shampoo and conditioner as usual.
- You can also use mayonnaise, but you may have a hard time getting the smell out of your hair.
Step 2. Moisturize your hair with olive oil
If you prefer, you can use coconut, castor or almond oil - they are all just as effective. You can also add a couple of drops of an essential oil of your choice to make the mask scented. Heat the oil between your palms before massaging it into your hair; alternatively you can heat it for a few seconds in the microwave.
- In order not to alter the properties of the oil it would be better to heat it on the stove. Pour 4 tablespoons into a saucepan and wait until it is hot, but not hot, before massaging it thoroughly into your hair. Wrap a warm towel around your head to enhance the benefits of the treatment.
- If the coconut oil has solidified, you can make it liquid again by heating it on the stove or in the microwave. Let it cool slightly and when warm, distribute it evenly over your hair. Keep it on for a few hours or overnight to reap the maximum benefits. At the end of the treatment, use the shampoo and conditioner as usual.
Step 3. Soften your hair with honey
Distribute it evenly and let it sit for 30 minutes before rinsing your hair thoroughly. If you want, you can mix it with the pulp of an avocado and an egg to obtain a super nourishing and creamy mask to use once a week for an intensive moisturizing action.
Alternatively, you can add a few drops of honey to the shampoo
Step 4. Use a mashed avocado and banana for incredibly soft and shiny hair
Avocado nourishes and rebuilds hair, while banana strengthens and makes it healthier. To enhance the effects of the mask, add a couple of teaspoons of an oil of your choice (any of those listed above). Blend the ingredients, apply the mask to your hair and leave it on for 30-60 minutes.
Step 5. Take advantage of the properties of apple cider vinegar
More than moisturizing your hair, apple cider vinegar actually restores it to health. It is a broad spectrum home remedy, able to restore the pH of the hair and remove the residues of synthetic products that accumulate on the scalp over time. In practice, it gently purifies the skin and hair.
