If you’ve just got home from the salon with a brand-new colour, congratulations – there’s nothing quite like freshly-dyed hair! You might be wondering how you can maintain the colour, in which case, we’ve got a few tips for you.
Looking after your hair after having a colour really depends on the type of treatment you have had, whether it is the first time you have dyed your hair or whether you have had your roots bleached or not. The hairdressers at Alchemy & I in Berkhamsted will give you the best advice on how to keep your hair looking great, glossy and healthy depending on the treatments you have had. What you need to do will depends on whether you have had a balayage, dyed it bright blue or just picked a new brown tone, it will also depend on the condition and type of hair you have. So, take a note on how they advise you to look after your colour and how often you should come back for a root touch up or how to handle the colour if it fades.
Below are some general tips on looking after a new hair colour:
Get the Timing Right
You shouldn’t have to wash your hair right away when you get home. However, if for some reason you need to have a shower straight away, don’t panic – washing it immediately won’t make any difference in terms of the colour vibrancy. How often should you wash your hair you have had a great colour put on? Well if you’re used to washing your hair every day, you will have to adjust your schedule a little. To stop the colour from fading quickly, you should aim to wash it every 2-3 days instead.
Using the Right Shampoo and Conditioner
How do you ensure that your hair will keep hold of the new colour whilst shampooing and conditioning? Some products are designed to gently wash your hair without stripping it of the dye, whilst special conditioners can help keep your hair in good shape. Using a shampoo and conditioner for coloured hair can help to keep it in the best condition.
If you’ve gone blonde, toning shampoo and conditioner can help to keep your colour vibrant.
Whilst washing your hair, try to avoid super-hot water. The hotter it is, the more the hair cuticle opens up. This is good for a hot oil treatment, but not so good for keeping your colour vibrant, as the dye can leak out. Try to wash your hair quickly, without lingering, and if you can stand it, go for a quick burst of cold water right at the end.
Keep it Healthy
Looking after your hair is always a good idea, but especially if you have it dyed – the dyes can leave your hair looking a little dry. This can make the colour appear duller, as it won’t be reflecting the light as much as it could be. Using a deep conditioning mask twice a week (or every other wash), can help to keep it healthy. You don’t need to leave it on for long – around 3-5 minutes is enough to give your hair a good boost.
You can encourage your hair to stay healthy by avoiding heated styling tools as much as you can. With the autumn months fast approaching, this is hard to do, so investing in a heat protection spray is a must.