Color-treated hair can look absolutely stunning. It can also become dull, dry and damaged unless you afford it the proper care. The chemicals in permanent hair dye cause hair to become more porous and thus more susceptible to damage from exposure to the environment, as well as everyday washing, drying and styling. By using products made especially for color-treated hair and following a regimen of extra care and conditioning, you can maintain the beauty of your color and keep your hair looking healthy.
Step 1
Use a shampoo made especially for color-treated hair, and consider an every-other-day rather than an every-day shampoo schedule to help keep hair color from fading.
Step 2
Follow your shampoo with the use of a conditioner. Color-treated hair is more prone to dryness, and the conditioner will help restore moisture. Special color-enhancing conditioners are available to help hide roots until your next hair coloring appointment.
Step 3
Apply a deep conditioner at home, or ask for an intensive conditioning treatment at your salon, to keep your hair healthy and lustrous.
Step 4
Wear a hat when outdoors to make your color last longer. Exposure to the sun's ultra-violet rays for extended periods causes color-treated hair to fade, or in some cases to become brassy. Leave-in conditioners or hair sprays containing a sunscreen can also help protect hair.
Step 5
Protect your color-treated hair from chlorine when you swim. The website SalonWeb.com recommends misting your hair with bottled spring water before swimming in a treated pool to dilute the drying effects of pool chemicals.
Step 6
Comb wet hair gently from the ends to the scalp. Color-treated hair is most vulnerable when it is wet, according to the Clairol Professional website. (See References 2)
Step 7
Minimize blow-drying time, stopping before your hair is completely dry to help preserve moisture.
Step 8
Handle hair carefully when styling. Use a flat iron or curling iron only as much as necessary to help preserve your color. Avoid rubber bands and hair clips, which can damage color-treated hair.
Step 9
Concentrate on applying extra moisture if your hair is color-treated blonde; on maintaining color if color-treated red; and on color enhancement if color-treated brunette, suggests the Pantene website.
Step 10
Check with your stylist to be sure any secondary hair treatments such as permanents are formulated for color-treated hair. Although a perm can add body and fullness to your hair, it will necessitate using more conditioner than usual.
Step 11
Consult a professional stylist if you are unhappy about your color treatment rather than try to correct it yourself. Too many chemical treatments can permanently damage your hair.
Things You'll Need
- Hair products for color-treated hair
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