Hey there, gorgeous people! It's Monika, and guess what? Many of you in our fantastic community have asked for guide on how to take care of colored hair, so here we are! Today, we're diving into the colorful and fabulous world of colored hair. Are you excited to learn how to take care of your dyed locks like a pro? Well, buckle up, and let's get started on this fun and informative adventure through the realm of colored hair!
From bold and bright hues to subtle and sophisticated shades, hair is a popular way to express ourselves and showcase our unique personalities. But, as we all know, with great hair comes great responsibility. Taking care of color-treated hair can be a bit tricky, but fear not! I'm here to spill all the secrets of maintaining those luscious locks and keeping your hair color looking fresh and fabulous.
Table of Contents
In this comprehensive guide, you'll learn everything you need to know about colored hair, how to care for it, what products to use, the dos and don'ts, and even some DIY cosmetic recipes to keep your hair looking fabulous. We'll also explore how long different hair colors last and answer some frequently asked questions. So, let's get started and embrace our colorful selves!
What is Colored Hair?
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of hair care, let's take a moment to understand what colored hair really is. In simple terms, it is any hair that has been treated with hair color to alter its natural shade. Whether you're going for a subtle change or a complete transformation, coloring your hair allows you to experiment with different looks and express your individuality.
There are various types of hair dyes and coloring techniques out there, but they all have one thing in common: they involve chemical processes that open up the hair's cuticle to deposit color molecules into the hair shaft. These processes can cause damage to your hair, which is why it's so important to know how to take care of colored hair and maintain its health.
From semi-permanent and demi-permanent to permanent color treatments, there's a whole spectrum of options to choose from when it comes to coloring your hair. But no matter which type you opt for, a little extra love and care will go a long way in keeping your dyed locks looking vibrant and healthy.
How to Take Care of Colored Hair
🏠 How to Take Care of Colored Hair At Home
🚿 Washing
Washing your dyed hair properly is crucial for maintaining its vibrancy and health. Here are some essential tips to follow:
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Wash your hair less frequently: Overwashing can strip your hair of its hair oils and cause the color to fade faster. Try to reduce the number of times you wash your hair per week to keep your color vibrant and long-lasting. (Use a shower cap if you're not washing your hair)
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Shampoo your hair even less: Sometimes, you can skip the shampoo and go straight to using conditioner. This will help preserve the color while keeping your hair moisturized and nourished.
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Air dry: Letting your hair air dry is the most gentle and protective drying method. It helps prevent damage from heat styling tools and maintains your hair's health.
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Check water temperature: Washing your hair with cool or lukewarm water is important for preserving the color, as hot water can strip the color and natural oils from your hair.
🎓💡 Pro-tip: You can add a drop of your hair dye to your shampoo for an extra color boost (but remember, you didn't hear it from me!)
📝💁♀️ Author's note: Here's my secret routine - In the shower, I keep the water temperature low. I wash my hair three times a week but only use shampoo twice. One of those times, I just use conditioner and skip the shampoo. If my hair gets oily quickly, I use dry shampoo.
🥦 Maintain A Healthy Diet (+ Use supplements)
Vitamins play a vital role in keeping your hair healthy and shiny. Vitamin C, for instance, supports hair follicles by promoting blood vessel health in the scalp. It also aids in iron absorption from plant proteins. Biotin, a key B vitamin, can fortify weak hair and enhance its texture. Found in foods like 🐟 salmon/sardines, 🥕 carrots and 🍳 egg yolks, biotin is essential for maintaining hair health. If your diet lacks these nutrients, consider taking vitamin supplements to give your hair—and your body—the nourishment they need.
💆♀️ Masks and treatment
Using hair masks and treatments is crucial for maintaining your hair's health and color vibrancy. These treatments nourish, hydrate, and protect your hair from damage. Stay tuned, because later in this article, I'll share some DIY recipes for hair oil treatments and deep conditioning that you can make at home!
🔥 Styling with heat protection
When styling your hair, don't forget to use leave-in treatments and heat-protecting products (like flat irons or curling irons). They'll help shield your hair color from heat, UV light, and other environmental factors that can cause damage or fade hair color.
💇♀️ How to Take Care of Colored Hair at the Salon
Visiting the salon is another essential aspect of dyed hair care. Keep these points in mind for your next appointment:
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Prepare your hair for the next color process with a clarifying shampoo: This will remove any product buildup and ensure the new color is evenly absorbed.
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Get touch-ups frequently: Regular touch-ups will help maintain your color's vibrancy and keep your hair looking fresh.
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Get regular trims: Trimming your hair regularly can prevent split ends and keep your hair looking healthy and well-groomed.
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Choose quality, conditioning hair colors: Make sure your stylist uses high-quality, conditioning hair colors that nourish and protect your hair during the coloring process.
📝💁♀️ Author's note: If you keep reading, you'll find a table with the lasting vibrancy of each hair color, so you can easily schedule your next appointment.
What Products to Use
Choosing the right products for your hair is crucial for maintaining its health and vibrancy. Here are some must-have products and their benefits:
✅ Shampoos (With color protection and sulfate-free)
Opt for color-protectant and sulfate-free shampoos, as they're gentler on your hair and help preserve the color. Don't compromise on quality—choose renowned brands that are known for their effectiveness.
✅ Conditioners (With color protection and sulfate-free)
Long-lasting hair color relies on well-conditioned hair. Always use conditioner after shampooing to keep your hair moisturized and healthy.
✅ Deep Conditioning Treatments
These treatments help smoothen and add luster. Regularly using deep conditioning treatments will keep your hair looking vibrant and shiny. Also make sure that you use your hair treatment on a damp hair. To distribute the deep conditioner use a wide tooth comb.
✅ Heat Protectants
Heat protectants shield your hair from heat damage caused by styling tools, ensuring that your color stays vibrant and your hair remains healthy.
✅ Leave-In Treatments
These products provide ongoing protection and nourishment for your hair throughout the day. They help maintain color vibrancy, prevent damage, and keep your hair soft and manageable.
✅ Hair Masks
Hair masks offer intense hydration and nourishment for your hair. They're especially important for color-treated hair, as they help repair damage and maintain the overall health of your locks.
✅ Dry Shampoos
Dry shampoos are lifesavers on days when you're not using regular shampoo. They help absorb excess oil and refresh your hair without stripping the color. Make sure to choose a dry shampoo specifically formulated for color-treated hair.
✅ Filters
UV filters in hair products protect your hair from sun damage and color fading. Look for products with built-in UV protection to shield your hair from harmful rays.
✅ Hair Oils
Hair oils nourish, hydrate, and add shine to your hair. They're essential for color-treated hair, as they help repair damage and maintain its health and appearance. You can apply them on damp or dry hair.
📝💁♀️ Author's note: You can also consider bule or purple shampoo as they can keep the brassy tones out of your hair. I have whole article dedicated on "How to get brassiness out of hair" if you want to explore that topic in more details.
What Ingredients Should You Avoid If You Have Color-Treated Hair?
When selecting hair care products for your color-treated hair, it's important to avoid certain ingredients that can be damaging or cause your color to fade. Some ingredients to watch out for include:
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🛑 Sulfates: These harsh detergents can strip the color and natural oils from your hair, leading to dullness and dryness.
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🛑 Alcohol: High concentrations of alcohol in hair products can cause your hair to become dry and brittle, making your color more prone to fading.
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🛑 Ammonia: Ammonia can damage the hair cuticle and cause color to fade more quickly.
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🛑 Chlorine: Exposure to chlorinated water can cause your hair color to fade or change, so it's best to protect your hair with a swim cap or use a clarifying shampoo after swimming.
By choosing the right products and avoiding harmful ingredients, you can ensure your hair's color stays healthy, vibrant, and gorgeous for longer. Also with the right tools and approach you can easily restore color-treated hair.
Dos and Don'ts
Here are some essential dos and don'ts for taking care of your color-treated hair:
✅ Dos
Wait before shampooing: After coloring your hair, give it a full 72 hours (3 days) before you shampoo to preserve the color.
UV protection: Use hair products that offer UV protection to shield your hair from the sun's damaging rays.
Hydrate your hair: Keep your hair moisturized and nourished to maintain its health and vibrancy.
Occasionally skip shampoo: From time to time, skip the shampoo and go straight to conditioner for a gentler hair cleansing.
⛔️ Don'ts
Avoid chlorine: Keep your hair away from pools and saltwater, as chlorine can damage and fade your color.
Limit damp air exposure: Damp air can cause frizz and make color-treated hair harder to manage.
Don't over-color: Coloring your hair too frequently can weaken and damage it. Give your hair a break between coloring sessions.
Avoid double-processing: Double-processing color-treated hair can cause unnecessary damage and fading.
Minimize heat use: Limit the use of heat-styling tools to keep your hair healthy and prevent color fading.
🎓💡 Pro tip: If you need to go swimming in a pool or saltwater, wear a swimming cap and try to keep your head above water to protect your color-treated hair.
DIY Cosmetic Recipes for Colored Hair
Try these easy and effective DIY cosmetic recipes to nourish and protect your hair.
Deep Condition Recipe
This recipe will provide deep conditioning and nourishment to your hair. The protein in the egg and the oils in the mayonnaise will work together to strengthen and moisturize your hair, reducing dryness, frizz, and breakage. Over time, with consistent use once a week, you can expect improved hair health, softness, and shine. It's important to use a mild sulfate-free shampoo and cool water to wash your hair after using the mask, as it helps preserve the natural oils and prevents the egg from cooking in your hair.
🥚 Ingredients:
1 egg
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
⏲️ Processing Time: 40-50 minutes
👩🍳 Process:
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 the recommended processing time.
Proceed to wash your hair with a mild sulfate-free shampoo and cool water.
🗓️ Repeat: Once a week
Hot Oil Treatment Recipe
This recipe will provide deep conditioning, hydration, and nourishment. The carrier oil, such as coconut, olive, or jojoba oil, will penetrate the hair shaft, sealing in moisture and helping to repair damage from heat styling, chemical treatments, and environmental factors. Regular use of this treatment 2-3 times a week will likely result in healthier, shinier, and more manageable hair. It's important to use a mild sulfate-free shampoo and cool water to wash your hair after the treatment to prevent stripping away the natural oils and moisture that the oil provides.
🥥 Ingredients:
2-3 tablespoons of carrier oil of your choice (coconut, olive, or jojoba oil)
⏲️ Processing Time: 40-50 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.
🗓️ Repeat: 2-3 times a week
Color Lasting Time for Each Hair Color
It's essential to understand how long each hair color lasts, as you'll need to schedule regular touch-ups with your hairstylist. Below is a table showing how much time you can expect from your hair colour to be vibrant:
| Hair Color | Color Lasting Time |
| Blond | 4-6 weeks |
| Brown | 6-8 weeks |
| Black | 6-8 weeks |
| Red | 3-5 weeks |
The lasting period of hair dye can vary depending on the hair color, as different pigments and ingredients can affect the hair differently. Here's a general explanation for each of the four hair colors mentioned earlier:
🟡 Blond
Lightening the hair to achieve a blond color usually involves a bleaching process, which can cause the hair shaft to become more porous. This increased porosity can make the hair more susceptible to environmental factors such as UV rays, water, and hair products, which can cause the color to fade more quickly. As a result, blond hair dye may last around 4-6 weeks.
🟤 Brown
Brown hair dye typically contains a mix of pigments, such as yellow, red, and blue. When applied to hair, these pigments penetrate the hair shaft and deposit color. Because brown dye is closer to the natural color of many people's hair, it generally lasts longer than colors that require significant lightening or darkening, such as blond or black. Brown hair dye can last around 6-8 weeks.
⚫️ Black
Black hair dye contains a high concentration of dark pigments, which deposit deep into the hair shaft. Although black dye can be quite long-lasting, it may start to fade slightly over time due to washing, exposure to sunlight, and other environmental factors. Similar to brown hair dye, black hair dye can last around 6-8 weeks.
🔴 Red
Red hair dye contains larger color molecules compared to other hair dye colors. This means that the dye molecules have a harder time penetrating the hair shaft, leading to the color fading more quickly. Additionally, red pigments are more susceptible to fading due to sunlight and water exposure. As a result, red hair dye typically lasts around 3-5 weeks.
It is essential to note that these are general explanations, and the lasting period of hair dye can vary depending on the brand, type of dye, and individual hair characteristics. Proper hair care and maintenance can also play a significant role in extending the life of hair color.
Key Takeaways
In this article, we've explored the importance of taking care of colored hair, and the necessary steps to maintain its health and vibrancy. Here's a summary of the key takeaways:
- 🔑 Understanding colored hair: It undergoes chemical processes that can damage the hair structure, making it more prone to breakage and fading. Proper care is crucial to maintain its health and color.
- 🔑 At-home care: Washing less frequently, maintaining a healthy diet, applying hair masks and treatments, and using protective styling products are all important aspects of taking care of colored hair at home.
- 🔑 Salon visits: Regular touch-ups, trims, and using quality hair colors can help maintain the vibrancy and health of your color-treated hair.
- 🔑 Choosing the right products: Use color-protectant, sulfate-free shampoos, conditioners, deep conditioning treatments, heat protectants, and hair masks specifically formulated for dyed hair. Avoid ingredients that can strip color or damage the hair.
- 🔑 Dos and Don'ts: Practice healthy hair habits, such as waiting 72 hours after coloring to shampoo, using UV protection, and avoiding heat styling and chlorine. Follow a consistent hair care routine to maximize the life of your color.
- 🔑 DIY cosmetic recipes: Homemade deep conditioning and hot oil treatments can help nourish and protect color-treated hair, ensuring long-lasting color and shine.
- 🔑 Color lasting time: Different hair colors have varying lasting times, ranging from 3-5 weeks for red to 6-8 weeks for black and brown. Scheduling regular touch-ups is essential for maintaining your desired color.
By following these tips and guidelines, you can keep your hair and scalp healthy, vibrant, and looking its best for as long as possible.
FAQ
Can you professionally dye hair at home?
Short answer: 👎 Not really
While it's possible to achieve good results with at-home hair dye kits, a professional salon colorist has the expertise and experience to ensure the best outcome and minimize damage to your hair.
Do you wet your hair before dying it?
Short answer: 👎 No
Typically, hair dye should be applied to dry hair, unless the instructions on the dye specifically state otherwise. Applying dye to wet hair can dilute the color and lead to uneven results.
Can I oil my hair after coloring?
Short answer: 👍 Yes
Oiling your hair after coloring can help nourish and protect it. However, wait at least 72 hours after coloring before applying oil to avoid interfering with the color-setting process.
Which hair dye is the least damaging?
Short answer: 🎨 Semi-permanent or 🚫 Ammonia-free
Semi-permanent or ammonia-free hair dyes are generally less damaging than permanent dyes, as they don't contain harsh chemicals and don't require a developer to penetrate the hair shaft.
Is store-bought hair color as good as that in a salon?
Short answer: 👎 No, but you can buy a salon quality from Cosmetic World
Salon hair color is usually of higher quality and provides better results than store-bought hair colour. Professional colorists also have the expertise to customize color and ensure proper application.
What happens if I wash my hair 24 hours after dying it?
Short answer: ⏱️🚿 The color fades more quickly
Washing your hair too soon after dying can cause the color to fade more quickly. It's recommended to wait at least 72 hours after coloring before washing your hair.
What color stays in hair the longest?
Short answer: ⚫️ Darker colors
Darker colors like black and brown tend to last longer in the hair compared to lighter colors like blond and red, which fade more quickly due to their unique pigments and processes.
Why doesn't my hair hold color?
Short answer: 📈💇🧴 High porosity, damaged hair cuticles, or use of harsh products
Hair may not hold color well due to factors such as high porosity, damaged hair cuticles, or the use of harsh hair care products that strip the color.
