We all love the feeling of walking out the salon after having our hair dyed. The colour is bold, bright and rich, with no sign of troublesome roots (unless, of course, that’s the look we’re going for!). Whether you’ve stuck with a gorgeous natural look or opted for a completely new colour (such as platinum blonde with a hint of lavender), taking good care of your hair is essential to keeping the colour vibrant. So, with this in mind, here are five tips for maintaining your newly-coloured hair so that it looks beautiful and healthy.
Keep coloured hair healthy for longerWait as long as possible before washing it
If you’ve ever washed your hair immediately after getting it coloured, you’ll know that the colour runs, leaving the water with a tinge. This is because hair colour takes time to set. In general, we tell our clients to wait 72 hours before shampooing, but the longer you can hold off, the better. When you colour your hair, the cuticle layer captures the colour, and this can take up to three days to close, which is why it is best to avoid washing it during this time.
Don’t wash it too often
Your hair is full of natural oils that keep your colour bright and healthy, and, when you shampoo your hair, these oils get washed away. By only washing your hair two to three times per week, you can retain these oils and stop the colour fading. You should opt for colour-safe shampoos and conditioners that are free from sulphates.
Skip the shampoo from time to time
It’s acceptable to just wash your hair with conditioner sometimes (trust us – we do it!). Healthy hair is essential for long-lasting colour, and, as shampoo can remove moisture from your hair, the occasional conditioner-only wash can be a good thing, especially if you tend to wash your hair quite frequently.
Protect your hair from heat
We’re sure you’ve been told countless times that heat is bad for unprotected hair, causing it to go frizzy, dry and brittle. Indeed, heat can make coloured hair fade quicker than it should. Using a heat-protect serum or spray before drying, straightening or curling your hair is a good idea, as is covering it up on particularly sunny days.
Rinse your hair with cold water after washing
While warm water opens your hair cuticles and allows shampoo to work, cold water closes them so that they seal in moisture. While we’re definitely not suggesting that you should shower in cold water, giving your hair a quick rinse in cold water after washing it is a great way to lock in healthy shine and colour.
When our stylists apply your new colour, they’ll always talk to you about the best way to maintain it. To find out more or book an appointment, contact us at the House of Klamer.
