Did you just colour your hair? We want to help you make sure it lasts and looks its best for as long as possible.
For some, dyeing your hair could actually mean a lifestyle change; know that there might be an adjustment period as you get used to your new hair care routine. Getting used to it may take a couple of weeks, but once you see that your hair looks so beautiful, and your color still looking great even after several washes, you will feel motivated to keep it up.
Before colouring:
Prep your hair
Using a clarifying shampoo the day before your coloring appointment could be helpful. Clarying shampoos are applied directly to the scalp and will strip your hair of any oils that could block your color from penetrating the cuticle at a deeper level.
Get a trim
Trim off dead ends or hair that has already been over-processed, as these strands will not hold colour and will fade easily. In fact, if your hair has been chemically processed within the last 2 or 3 months or so, you may want to consider holding off on dyeing your hair to give it a rest.
Right after colouring:
1. Wash your hair only after 2-3 days
During the hair dyeing process, your cuticle layer is open, making it easy for colour to penetrate the hair shaft. Washing your hair too soon after may lead to colour loss, as the cuticle layer could still be open. It may take up to three days for the cuticle layer to fully close, so the longer you wait to wash your hair after you dye your hair, the more time your hair has to fully absorb the colour pigment.
2. Consider a dry shampoo
If you can’t stand the itchy/oily feeling from not washing your hair, you may want to try out a dry shampoo as an interim solution. A pro tip is to actually quickly blast the dry shampoo from your roots and scalp with a hairdryer at the end on the ‘cool’ setting, to get rid of excess powder. This will also help to give your hair some volume and to keep it from going flat.
For your day-to-day
1. Get the right shampoo and conditioner
Sulfate-free shampoos are your best friend. Sodium laureth sulfate, also known as sodium laureth ether sulfate, is a type of anionic detergent that is found in many personal care products. SLS is what creates the foaming effect that many people have learned to associate with soap and being ‘clean’. However, sulfates are harsh chemicals that also strip moisture, which can then lead to your hair dye fading easily. Use only sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners to keep your hair color from fading.
2. Use toning shampoo to revitalize your colour
Using a product like Color Butter can help to tone your colour periodically between salon visits. Shampoos that contain colour toners or dyes will slightly re-dye your hair each time you wash to keep it looking fresh until your roots grow out.
3. Use cool water to rinse out your hair
Hot water strips colour, because the heat causes hair cuticles to open, allowing the colour to wash out in the process. Using warm water to shampoo and then rinsing out with cold water will help to seal the hair cuticle, preventing colour loss.
4. Wash hair less often
Try washing your hair every other day or even 2-3 times a week to keep your color on lock. This may be tough in humid Singapore, but dry shampoo may help! Make sure to pick a color-safe dry shampoo.
When styling:
1. Use leave-in treatments to protect hair colour when styling
Colored and chemically treated hair needs extra hydration and protection from the sun to prevent damage and loss of nutrients to the hair. Leave-in treatments will help keep your hair smooth and hydrated, and it’s important to find one with UV protection so that the sun won’t fade your hair color.
2. Use heat protectant spray before using hot tools
Heat will strip away color and hydration and lead to damaged hair. To help prevent these problems from happening while using hot tools, try using a heat protectant spray before blow drying or styling. Heat protectant sprays will help reduce moisture loss from inside the hair, smooth the outside of the hair, and protect your hair from humidity after heat styling which, in all, will help maintain your color.
Finally, don’t go swimming in a swimming pool without wearing a swim cap! Chlorine will strip the colour and dry out your hair. Taking care of your hair will go a long way in keeping your colour looking fresh and vibrant.