As we embark on our journey to discover effective tips to care for coloured hair, let’s uncover the secrets to maintaining that stunning hue while ensuring the health and vitality of your locks.
Thinking of upgrading your looks? Get your hair coloured and see yourself transform in a way you couldn’t have imagined. In the hair care domain, hair colouring is as integral as make-up that helps hide visible grey strands and in turn, leaves you looking prepped and flawless at all times.
While the idea of dying your hair in whatever colour does seem intriguing, doing it too often might not be that good for the health of your hair even if you opt for natural hair colours. Furthermore, if you have greying hair, colour refreshes are an indispensable part of personal grooming.
If you don’t want your hair to suffer the ill effects of frequent colour refreshes, it’s better to treat your hair with the right level of care, so the colour remains intact for longer.
How Long Do Natural Hair Colours Stay?
With store-bought natural hair dyes, the colour lasts for up to 6 weeks if you follow a strict hair care regimen for coloured hair. If you’re living in a warm region with plenty of sunlight, you might be convinced to shampoo your hair every day.
This can shorten the staying duration of your hair colour. In this case, you can opt to rinse your hair with warm, plain water instead of using a shampoo and let your hair air-dry in the shade.
Considering the varying hair growth patterns, you might notice greying strands appearing near the scalp at different times and the easiest way to hide them is with a touch-up which will take its own time before you go for your next hair colouring schedule.
What are the risks of using hair colours?
From scores of hair colours marketed as chemical-free, non-toxic and ammonia-free, it’s tough to find a hair colour that is 100% natural and safe for long-term use, since in a large variety of dark-shaded natural hair colours there is always the presence of one chemical called Paraphenylenediamine (PPD).
This substance can have debilitating effects on hair quality and overall health. Continual use of hair dyes containing PPD has been observed to lead to the following symptoms:
- Hives
- Eczema
- Blurred vision
- Eye Irritation
- Contact Dermatitis
- Anaphylaxis
- Renal Disorders
- Respiratory Issues
Tips To Care For Coloured Hair At Home
1. Precolour Hair Mask
A nourishing hair mask right before colouring your hair is instrumental in achieving super healthy, resilient hair that can hold the colour better than dry, fragile, lustreless hair.
The type of hair mask likely to give the best results would be the one enriched with essential vitamins, minerals and hair-building proteins, yet doesn’t leave any sticky residues on the hair surface.
Think protein and collagen-enriched hair masks for long-lasting nourishment! These two ingredients can immediately fix poor hair texture and make hair ready for colour application.
2. Keratin Treatment
Give your coloured tresses a nourishment boost with Keratin treatment that seals in colour perfectly and builds a protective shield over coloured hair, to keep it tamed and wither-proof.
This treatment works by providing an extra dose of hair-building proteins to fix rough, breakage-prone hair and leaves it strengthened and even-textured.
Just remember to pick a keratin treatment that is meant for colour-treated hair to get the best results.
3. Hair Serums
Hair serums are a blessing for coloured hair. They help maintain lustre and silkiness in colour-treated hair which works to prolong the staying power of hair dyes and lessens hair breakage.
What’s more, applying a hair serum on damp hair before combing or brushing easily eliminates tangles and makes hair manageable. Not only for hair styling, hair serums are a great substitute for sticky hair oils that are known to induce fading in colour-treated hair quite early.
Pick a serum that comes enriched colour-boosting mechanism for optimum results.
TIP: Hair serums can prevent the colour from reaching the hair surface. The best approach is to ensure there is no presence of serum, oil or other hair products on hair while applying hair colour.
4. Touch Up Sprays
Limit the exposure of your hair to harsh chemicals in hair colours with root touch-ups that work to conceal visible greys without any need for a salon visit. Just spray the colour over the greying hair strands covering your eyes and face and wait for a few minutes to let the colour settle. Style your hair as usual.
Also available as powders and concealer sticks, touch-up hair colours are great for busy bees who find little time for hair maintenance.
5. Hair Sunscreens
Gone are the days of hats, scarves, and swimming caps, as hair sunscreens are here to protect your prized colour refresh from wearing out too soon! Yes, you read that right. Hair sunscreen sprays are the in-thing right now for coloured hair. They not only protect hair from colour loss but also work to imbue a natural shine and bounce.
So, whenever you feel like hitting the beach or going for a swim on a sunny day, spritz on a hair sunscreen forget about colour-fading issues and enjoy the swim and sun surfing to the hilt.
6. Hair Washes
When it comes to washing your coloured hair, these tips to care for coloured hair will help you maintain your desired shade without compromising on cleanliness. Switch to hair shampoos and sprays formulated for colour-treated hair to preserve your new hair colour.
Work the shampoo onto the scalp and rinse it with warm water. Cleansing sprays must be used on damp hair. You can make your cleansing sprays or simply spray diluted aloe juice on your scalp to cleanse it. Let the product stay on the hair for a few minutes and begin to work it into the scalp to soften the debris. Cleanse again with a water spray, apply a hair serum and comb the hair.
Plus, you also need to give daily shampooing a miss for better hair colour retention and use cleansers not more than twice a week at the most. If the need arises, use a mild shampoo once a week.
7. Homemade Hair Colour Rinse
If touch-ups are not your thing, you can resort to natural hair rinses made from tea, coffee or walnut shell powder to stain the greying strands after a hair cleanse twice or thrice every week.
This will ensure your hair stays coloured and also work to add a new definition to your existing hair colour.
8. Warm Untreated Water
Always consider the quality of water you use on colour-treated hair for long-lasting hold. Use purified untreated water for hair cleansing rituals to prolong hair colour.
Also, make sure the water temperature is right to maintain the hair colour. Warm water is best for cleansing hair and scalp without hampering its colour.
9. Skip Hair Oiling
If possible, stop oiling your hair too often and apply non-greasy oils and serums to moisturize your scalp and hair. For intensive nourishment, reserve the days when your hair dye begins to wear out i.e. 4th or 5th week for hair oiling to let your scalp and hair rejuvenate and breathe before your next hair colouring schedule.
However, if you do feel like massaging your scalp on the second or third week, you can do it and use a touch-up concealer or hair colour rinse to make up for any lost colour.
10. Styling Tips
While heat styling can add glamour to your coloured locks, it’s crucial to follow these tips to care for coloured hair to protect your vibrant tresses from potential damage.
For maximum colour hold, use ionized hair dryers instead of regular hair dryers. The ions released as such bond to the hair surface and leave hair silkier and manageable without any presence of frizz or flyaways. This mechanism ensures the hair strands stay replenished and do not lose moisture or colour when they are getting blow-dried.
Also,
Colour-treated hair responds best to chemical-free products that do not strip away nutrients, moisture and colour from hair. To prevent any chances of colour loss, see to it that each hair product you use is crafted from 100% natural ingredients and suits colour-treated hair.
Conclusion
Caring for coloured hair at home is entirely achievable with the right strategies and products. By following the tips provided in this article, you can enjoy vibrant, lustrous, and well-maintained coloured hair without the need for frequent salon visits.
Remember, consistency in your hair care routine and a commitment to protecting your hair from environmental factors are key to preserving your beautiful, coloured locks.
Armed with these essential tips to care for coloured hair, you know to keep your hair radiant and alluring, allowing your true colours to shine through in every sense.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can I maintain the vibrancy of my coloured hair at home?
To keep your coloured hair vibrant, use colour-safe shampoos and conditioners, wash with cool water, and limit washing to 2-3 times a week. Additionally, apply a colour-protecting hair mask once a week to lock in the hue.
2. How do I prevent my coloured hair from fading quickly?
Avoid excessive sun exposure, as UV rays can cause colour fading. Use a UV-protectant hair product and wear a hat in the sun. Also, limit the use of hot styling tools and opt for heat protectants when needed.
3. What’s the best way to moisturize coloured hair at home?
Opt for sulfate-free, hydrating products to prevent dryness. Use a deep conditioning treatment every 1-2 weeks, and consider applying argan or coconut oil to your hair ends for extra moisture.
4. Can I touch up my hair colour at home, or should I visit a salon for touch-ups?
While salon touch-ups are ideal for precise results, you can do minor touch-ups at home using colour-refreshing products or root touch-up kits. Consult with a professional if you’re unsure.
5. How can I protect my coloured hair from damage during home hair care routines?
To minimize damage, use a wide-tooth comb to detangle wet hair, and be gentle when styling. Limit the use of heat styling tools, and when you use them, apply a heat protectant. Trimming split ends regularly also helps maintain hair health.
6. Can you try the above-mentioned methods on hair coloured with permanent hair colours?
Yes, you can safely try these methods in an attempt to prolong the hold of your hair colour whether it is permanent or temporary.
7. Does shampooing hair before colouring help in maintaining the hold of hair colour?
Yes, shampooing your hair eliminates grease, oils and other residues from the surface of hair and scalp which allows the hair colour to reach the hair surface without any obstructions.
Hair colouring is best done on untreated hair without any presence of hair products. If you do plan to shampoo your hair before colouring it, let the hair dry perfectly before the application of hair colour.
