Dyeing your natural hair can transform your look, but it often comes with unwanted damage. Colored hair needs special care to stay healthy, vibrant, and strong.
These techniques will help you maintain your gorgeous new color while keeping your natural hair happy and healthy.
1. Wait Before Washing
Hold off on shampooing for at least 48 hours after coloring. This waiting period allows the dye to fully set into your strands and the hair cuticle to close properly. Your patience will pay off with longer-lasting color!
2. Switch to Color-Safe Products
Regular shampoos can strip away your fresh color faster than you’d like. Invest in products specifically formulated for colored hair that clean without harsh sulfates. Your dye job will thank you!
3. Cool Water Rinses Only
Hot water opens hair cuticles, allowing color molecules to escape. Rinse with cool water instead to seal those cuticles and lock in your gorgeous new shade. Bonus: cooler rinses add extra shine!
4. Deep Condition Weekly
The chemical process of dyeing can leave hair parched and brittle. A weekly deep conditioning treatment replenishes moisture and repairs weakened bonds. Try warming your conditioner slightly for better penetration.
5. Protect From Heat Styling
Heat styling tools can fade color and cause further damage to already vulnerable dyed strands. Always apply a heat protectant before using hot tools. Consider embracing your natural texture more often!
6. Limit Sun Exposure
UV rays are color-fading villains! Wear hats or use products with UV protection when spending time outdoors. Your vibrant color will last noticeably longer with proper sun protection.
7. Sleep on Satin Pillowcases
Cotton pillowcases create friction that can rough up cuticles and cause color to fade faster. Satin or silk pillowcases reduce this friction while you sleep. They’re gentler on your dyed strands!
8. Apply Leave-In Conditioners
Colored hair often feels drier between washes. A lightweight leave-in conditioner provides ongoing hydration without weighing down your strands. Apply to damp hair for best results.
9. Schedule Regular Trims
Colored ends are more susceptible to splitting and breaking. Getting your hair trimmed every 6-8 weeks removes damaged ends before they travel up the shaft. Regular trims actually promote healthier growth!
10. Embrace Protein Treatments
Hair dye can weaken protein bonds that give your strands strength. Monthly protein treatments rebuild these bonds, preventing breakage and maintaining elasticity. Just don’t overdo it—too much protein causes brittleness.
11. Avoid Chlorine and Salt Water
Swimming pools and ocean water can quickly damage dyed hair. Wet your hair with clean water before swimming and wear a swim cap when possible. Rinse thoroughly immediately after swimming!
12. Space Out Your Coloring Sessions
Resist the urge for frequent color touch-ups. Aim for 8-12 weeks between dyeing sessions to give your hair recovery time. Root touch-up products can help extend time between full colorings.
13. Use Color-Depositing Conditioners
Keep your color vibrant between salon visits with color-depositing conditioners. These products refresh your shade while conditioning, extending the life of your dye job. Choose one specifically for your color.
14. Pre-Poo Treatment Before Washing
Apply oil or conditioner to dry hair before shampooing. This pre-poo treatment creates a protective barrier that prevents the shampoo from stripping too much color. Try coconut oil for extra benefits!
15. Minimize Clarifying Shampoos
Clarifying shampoos are designed to strip buildup—including your precious color molecules! Use them sparingly, ideally no more than once a month. Regular color-safe shampoos are gentler for daily use.