The salon might be a great place to get your tresses colored, but what about maintaining your exquisitely colored hair? What you need are a few DIY hair color tips to help you maintain your colored hair at home without shelling out much money! Coloring your hair means allowing chemicals to penetrate your locks, leaving them prone to dryness, damage, and breakage. Also, your color-treated hair can easily become lifeless and dull without the right aftercare. All you need is a little devotion, suitable hair color products, and persistence to flaunt your color-treated hair for a long time.
In this article, we have listed easy and simple hair care tips so you can keep your tresses healthy and protected. Keep reading to know more!
In This Article
1. 17 Tips on How To Take Care of Colored Hair at Home
2. How Long Does Hair Dye Last?
3. Infographic: Things To Know Before You Color Your Hair
17 Tips on How To Take Care of Colored Hair at Home
The internet is full of the latest hair color trends, and each trend is better than the next. However, there are very few platforms that talk about hair color maintenance. We are here to share our expert tips with you, which will ensure the longevity of your hair color.
- Wait For Three Days Before You Wash Freshly Colored Hair
Do not wash your hair for at least 72 hours after the hair color application; otherwise, the color will wash off easily. The chemical processing during hair coloring leaves the hair cuticlesi open and prone to damage. Hair dyes chemically alter the hair structure. This hair is more porous and susceptible to damage.
2. Use A Color Protectant Shampoo
The type of shampoo you use plays a major role in keeping your hair color from losing its vibrancy. When you do wash your hair, use a specially formulated shampoo for color-treated hair. It will protect your hair as well as balance its natural pH. Color-safe shampoos maintain your hair color and ensure that it does not fade quickly. They also contain hydrating and nourishing ingredients that restore and repair your hair. Avoid shampoos with harsh ingredients such as sulfatesi and alcohols. They will strip color and moisture from your hair.
3. Shampoo Your Color-Treated Hair Less Frequently
Washing your colored hair often will cause the dye to leach out and the color to fade. Frequent washing also strips your hair of its natural oils, leaving it dry, dull, and lifeless. To prevent this, wash your hair less often. This will keep the hair color looking vibrant too.
4. Use Dry Shampoo
You can’t compromise on hygiene, so on days between washes, use a color-safe dry shampoo to soak up the grease, dirt, and product build-up from your hair. This will get rid of the grime and gunk without stripping your hair color due to frequent shampooing.
5. Condition Your Colored Hair
Every time you shampoo your colored-treated hair, you must use a conditioner. Ensure that the conditioner is also color-safe. These conditioners form a protective barrier on the hair strands. This helps in sealing the cuticles and locking in moisture which adds shine, volume, and luster to your hair. Thus, it leaves your hair soft, healthy, and glossy.
Janine Lewis, a blogger, shares how she protects her hair color by using products designed for color-treated hair: “After rinsing out the dye, use the conditioner that comes in the box… it really helps. My hair always feels very brittle after putting the dye on it, and using the conditioner helps it feel strong and healthy again .
6. Limit Exposure To Damp Air
Avoid long showers or humidity as damp air makes hair color fade. Use a shower cap while you bathe, and don’t get your hair wet often. Protect your hair with anti-humidity serums, especially during the rainy seasons.
7. Avoid High Temperatures
Try to opt for cool or lukewarm showers as hot water can damage and fade color-treated hair. This also stands true for heat-styling tools such as curling irons, hair straighteners, and blow dryers. The outer protective covering of the hair is disrupted as the heat opens up the cuticle and the dye bleeds out easily. Use a thermal protectant hair serum or spray whenever you have to style your hair.
8. Use Deep Conditioning Treatments To Smoothen And Add Luster To Colored Hair
For extra shine, pamper your color-treated hair locks once a week to a deep-conditioning treatment. Apply the treatment to damp hair and comb it through from roots to tips. Pull your hair into a bun and pin it into place or wrap it up in a soft towel and leave the treatment in your hair for 30 minutes. When you rinse it out, youll be left with softer, shinier hair.
Another side effect that comes with coloring your hair is the protein damage your hair goes through (1). You know your hair is in dire need of protein when it starts to stretch and snap off. It might also feel a bit mushy when it is wet. The only way to fix this is by nourishing your hair with protein. You can use store-bought protein treatments or DIY hair masks.
Eggs are packed with proteins that help nourish your hair (2). Anecdotal evidence suggests that mayonnaise tames frizz and smoothens your hair. Thus, regular use of this hair pack may help repair protein damage and restore the health of your hair. Here’s a simple DIY protein mask you can try out.
You Will Need
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoon mayonnaise
Processing Time
- 45 minutes
- In a bowl, whip a whole egg and two tablespoons of mayonnaise together until you get a smooth mixture.
- Start working the mixture into your hair. Concentrate most on the tips of your hair.
- Once all of your hair is covered, leave the egg-mayo pack on for about 45 minutes.
- Proceed to wash your hair with a mild sulfate-free shampoo and cool water.
9. Apply Leave-In Treatments To Protect Color-treated Hair
Leave-in conditioners contain silicones that form a protective layer over the hair shafti (1). This helps minimize sun damage and calms post-processing frizz. They also help protect your hair from the damage heat styling tools tend to cause. Using a leave-in conditioning treatment can also help detangle your hair and protect it from environmental aggressors. Look for leave-in conditioners that are specially formulated to protect color-treated hair. This is particularly important if you frequently use blowdryers, curling irons, or straightening irons, or if you spend a lot of time near a heater or in the sun
- Choose the Right Product: Look for leave-in conditioners or treatments specifically formulated for color-treated hair. These often contain ingredients that help lock in color, prevent fading, and protect against heat and UV damage.
- Wash and Condition Your Hair: Start with freshly washed and conditioned hair. Use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo and a color-safe conditioner to keep your hair’s moisture balance in check.
- Towel Dry Gently: Pat your hair dry with a towel rather than rubbing it. This helps minimize breakage and prepares your hair for the leave-in treatment.
- Apply the Leave-In Treatment: Depending on the product’s instructions, you might need to shake it or apply it directly. Spray or distribute a small amount evenly through your damp hair, focusing on the mid-lengths to ends, where color tends to fade the most.
- Comb Through: Use a wide-tooth comb to distribute the product evenly and detangle your hair. This helps ensure that every strand is coated and reduces the risk of breakage.
- Avoid the Roots: Applying leave-in treatments too close to your roots can sometimes weigh hair down or make it look greasy. Focus on the ends and mid-lengths for the best results.
- Heat Protection: If you use heat styling tools, choose a leave-in treatment with added heat protection. This helps shield your hair from the damaging effects of styling tools.
- Regular Use: For the best results, apply your leave-in treatment regularly, especially after washing your hair. Consistent use helps maintain color vibrancy and overall hair health.
By incorporating these steps into your hair care routine, you’ll keep your color-treated hair looking fresh and vibrant.
10. Apply A Hot Oil Treatment To Add Shine To Color-Treated Hair
Hot oil treatments are simple to do at home and help color-treated hair really shine. Apply the hot oil to clean, towel-dried hair and cover it with a shower cap. Apply heat by using a hot towel, a blowdryer, or even by sitting in the sun. Then, allow your hair to cool down to room temperature before rinsing off the oil with cool water. While hair packs can do a great deal to improve the health of your hair, regular oiling must also be an integral part of your hair care routine (1). Whether it is applying oil to your hair before bed and washing it off in the morning or a brief hot oil treatment, no hair care routine can be complete without oiling.
Oils seal nourishment and moisture in your hair. They also form a protective layer over your hair, which protects it from sun and heat damage (1). Follow the steps below to give yourself a hot oil treatment at home.
You Will Need
- 2-3 tablespoons of carrier oil of your choice (coconut, olive, or jojoba oil)
Processing Time
- 45 minutes
Process
- Heat up the oil on a stovetop or in a microwave for a few seconds until it is slightly warm.
- Massage the warm oil into your scalp and work it down to the tips of your hair. Concentrate on the tips as these are the most damaged parts.
- Put on a shower cap and leave the oil in for about 30-45 minutes. Optionally, you can leave it in overnight.
- Proceed to wash the oil out with a mild sulfate-free shampoo and cool water.
- Do this 2-3 times a week.
11. Maintain A Healthy Diet To Keep Your Hair Looking Great
What you eat has everything to do with the health of your hair and how it looks. The nutrients from a healthy diet provide the energy that fuels hair growth and luster. Foods that are rich in iron and protein feed your scalp and hair by building strong keratin the protein that strengthens your hair, improves its texture, and stimulates hair growth. Consume lean meat, fish, low-fat cheeses, egg whites, spinach, and soy to keep your color-treated hair looking its best. Snack on fruits, nuts, vegetables, and grains between meals.
- Protein: Hair is primarily made of protein, so ensuring you get enough can strengthen your hair and support growth. Include lean meats, fish, eggs, dairy products, legumes, and nuts in your diet.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: These healthy fats help nourish your hair and keep your scalp healthy. Sources include fatty fish like salmon, walnuts, flaxseeds, and chia seeds.
- Iron: An iron deficiency can lead to hair loss. Eat iron-rich foods like spinach, red meat, lentils, and fortified cereals. Pairing these with vitamin C-rich foods can enhance iron absorption.
- Vitamin A: This vitamin helps maintain a healthy scalp by promoting the production of sebum. Good sources include sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach, and kale.
- Vitamin C: Essential for collagen production and iron absorption, vitamin C can be found in citrus fruits, strawberries, bell peppers, and broccoli.
- Biotin: A B-vitamin that supports hair health and growth. Eggs, nuts, seeds, and sweet potatoes are great sources of biotin.
- Zinc: Important for hair growth and repair. Zinc can be found in meat, shellfish, legumes, seeds, and nuts.
- Vitamin E: Helps improve blood circulation to the scalp and can help prevent hair loss. Nuts, seeds, and green leafy vegetables are good sources of vitamin E.
- Water: Staying hydrated is vital for maintaining the health of your hair and scalp. Aim to drink plenty of water throughout the day.
- Avoid Excessive Sugar and Processed Foods: High sugar intake and processed foods can negatively affect hair health and contribute to inflammation.
Balancing these nutrients in your diet can help you achieve healthier, more vibrant hair. If you’re considering supplements, it’s best to consult with a healthcare provider to ensure they’re right for you.
12. Supplements Improve The Health Of Color-Treated Hair
Vitamins are another key to keeping color-treated hair healthy and shiny. Vitamin C keeps the blood vessels in the scalp healthy. Vitamin C also helps you absorb iron from plant proteins (3). Biotin, an essential B vitamin, strengthens weak hair and improves its texture. However, research to prove the same is limited. Biotin is found in salmon, carrots, egg yolks, and sardines. When your diet is lacking in vitamins, taking vitamin supplements can help keep your hair and your body healthy and strong.
13. Use Products That Offer UV Protection To Protect Your Hair From The Sun
Whatever the season, the suns rays can fade hair color. Try to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun. When you are outside on a bright day, protect your color-treated hair by using products containing UV protectors. Many styling products, leave-in conditioners, and hairsprays have SPF in them. Some UV-protecting products even contain a mix of vitamins to help restore color-treated hair and prevent future damage. If you know youll be outside in the sun for an extended period of time, wear a hat to provide extra protection. During the summer, when the suns rays are at their most harmful levels, spritz on a moisturizing spray with SPF 10 to 15 throughout the day to protect your colored locks.
14. Avoid Chlorine On Color-Treated Hair
The chlorine in swimming pools can discolor your hair and weaken it (4). This is why it is vital to take precautionary steps before you go in for a dip. For starters, always wear a swim cap that prevents the water from getting in contact with your hair. For added protection, apply a leave-in conditioner or coconut oil that will form a barrier between the chlorine water and your hair. If you spend a lot of time in a swimming pool, wet your dyed hair and apply a protective leave-in conditioner before you go into the pool. Chlorine builds up in your hair and causes its color especially lighter colors to shift to an unattractive green hue.
15. Dont Color Your Hair Too Frequently
Too much of a good thing can become a bad thing, and that includes hair color. No matter what hair color techniques you use, coloring your hair too often can cause damage, so don’t do it more than once every five to six weeks. When your roots begin to show, there is a variety of hair color products on the market, which will help you get through until the next coloring. At-home touch-up kits, hair mascara, and spray-on root concealers can all help get rid of this zipper (grown-out roots around your parting look like a zipper) and hide grays between hair-color treatments.
Coloring your hair too frequently can lead to damage over time. Frequent use of chemical dyes can weaken the hair, causing it to become dry, brittle, and more prone to breakage. Additionally, the scalp can become irritated or sensitive due to repeated exposure to harsh chemicals. It’s important to give your hair time to recover between treatments and use products designed to nourish and protect colored hair. Natural alternatives or less frequent coloring can help maintain hair health.
16. Don’t Double-Process Color-Treated Hair
Double-processing color-treated hair involves applying two chemical treatments in close succession, such as bleaching and then dyeing. This can be extremely harsh on your hair, leading to significant damage. Double-processing can strip the hair of its natural moisture and protein, making it more prone to breakage, dryness, and split ends.
If you want to change your hair color or texture after it has already been processed, it’s best to consult a professional stylist. They can assess the condition of your hair and recommend the safest approach, which may involve spacing out treatments or using gentler products to minimize damage.
17. If Your Hair is Damaged, Don’t Skip Regular Trims
If you have not been trimming your hair every 6-8 weeks, it is time you started doing so. The best hair color ideas will fall flat if your haircut grows out shabbily or frizzy ends dull the color. Since your hair is much more prone to damage after coloring, regular trims become crucial for maintaining hair health and preventing the spread of damage. This will also help prevent split ends and breakage. If your dyed locks are frizzy, your hair may be damaged. The best way to keep your color-treated hair looking its healthiest is to get regular cuts or trims. You don’t have to get a super short cut just trim it enough to keep frayed ends at bay.
Hair dyes and the hair care industry is expected to experience a boom in the following years. The global market for hair color generated a revenue of 21.4 billion dollars in 2020, and it is anticipated that this market will increase to roughly 36.2 billion dollars by 2027.
2. How Long Does Hair Dye Last?
The longevity of hair dye can vary based on several factors, such as the type of dye used, hair care practices, and the rate of hair growth. Semi-permanent dyes typically last for about 4-6 weeks, gradually fading with each wash. Permanent dyes can last until new hair growth occurs, often up to 6-8 weeks. However, the vibrancy may reduce over time, and exposure to sunlight, heat styling, and harsh hair products can expedite fading. Frequent shampooing also shortens the color’s lifespan. Remember, vibrant or unconventional colors may fade more quickly than natural shades. To extend the life of your dyed hair, be mindful of these factors, although there are no foolproof ways to determine exactly how long your specific dye job will last.
- Permanent Hair Dye:
- Lasts: 4 to 6 weeks or longer, depending on hair growth and washing frequency.
- How it works: Penetrates the hair shaft and permanently alters the hair color.
- Fading: Gradual fading occurs as new hair grows in and the dyed hair is exposed to sunlight and washing.
- Semi-Permanent Hair Dye:
- Lasts: 6 to 12 washes.
- How it works: Coats the outer layer of the hair without penetrating deeply.
- Fading: Fades with each wash, often leaving a slight tint after it washes out completely.
- Demi-Permanent Hair Dye:
- Lasts: 20 to 28 washes.
- How it works: Penetrates the hair slightly more than semi-permanent dye, but doesn’t lighten natural hair color.
- Fading: Gradual fading occurs with each wash, with the color usually lasting about a month.
- Temporary Hair Dye:
- Lasts: 1 to 2 washes.
- How it works: Sits on the surface of the hair and washes out easily.
- Fading: Immediate fading, usually gone after one or two washes.
Factors Affecting Longevity:
- Hair Porosity: More porous hair absorbs color more easily but may also lose it faster.
- Washing Frequency: Frequent washing accelerates fading.
- Hair Care Products: Use of color-safe shampoos and conditioners can help prolong the color.
- Heat Styling: Excessive use of heat tools can cause the color to fade more quickly.
- Sun Exposure: UV rays can break down the dye molecules, leading to faster fading.
To maintain your hair color for as long as possible, minimize washing, use color-protecting products, and avoid excessive heat styling.
3. Infographic: Things To Know Before You Color Your Hair
If you want your colored hair to look great, you need to follow a few hair care tips even before you color it. To ensure your hair is in good shape before dyeing, you need to moisturize it and keep the natural oils in it intact to help protect the strands.
Check out the infographic below for some tips that will help you color your hair at home without damaging your delicate tresses.
Creating an infographic is a great way to summarize key points visually. Here’s a text-based outline of what the infographic might include:
Title: Things to Know Before You Color Your Hair
1. Choose the Right Type of Dye
- Permanent: Long-lasting, more commitment.
- Semi-Permanent: Shorter duration, less damage.
- Demi-Permanent: Middle ground, lasts longer than semi-permanent.
- Temporary: For one-time or short-term color changes.
2. Understand Your Hair Type
- Porosity: High porosity absorbs and fades dye quickly; low porosity takes longer to absorb but holds color better.
- Texture: Curly and coarse hair might require different dyeing techniques compared to straight or fine hair.
3. Avoid Double-Processing
- Damage Risk: Bleaching and dyeing in quick succession can severely damage your hair.
- Recommendation: Consult a professional, and allow time between treatments.
4. Consider the Maintenance
- Touch-Ups: Roots will need regular touch-ups every 4 to 6 weeks.
- Color-Safe Products: Invest in shampoos, conditioners, and treatments that protect color.
- Washing Frequency: Less frequent washing helps the color last longer.
5. Know the Potential Damage
- Dryness and Brittleness: Frequent coloring can lead to dry, brittle hair.
- Scalp Sensitivity: Chemicals in dyes may cause irritation or allergic reactions.
- Recovery Time: Allow your hair time to recover between dye jobs.
6. Perform a Patch Test
- Why: To check for allergic reactions to the dye.
- How: Apply a small amount of dye to your skin and wait 24 hours.
7. Consider Professional Help
- Complex Colors: For drastic color changes or corrections, a professional can ensure better and safer results.
- Consultations: Discuss your hair’s condition and desired outcome with a stylist.
8. Plan for Aftercare
- Deep Conditioning: Regular treatments to restore moisture.
- Limit Heat Styling: Reduces additional stress on color-treated hair.
- Sun Protection: Use products with UV protection to prevent fading.
This outline can be used to create a visually appealing infographic, with each section represented by icons, short text, and vibrant colors to guide the viewer’s eye through the information.
