Maintenance is key to keeping your hair color vibrant and long-lasting, using appropriate products and following some simple advice will extend its lifespan.
Avoid washing your hair daily as this causes damage and fades the color more rapidly. Instead, wash 2-3 times weekly using lukewarm water.
Pre-color treatment
Pre-color treatments are essential in order to obtain optimal results from any color service, removing build-up, balancing ph levels of hair and increasing vibrancy while creating an ideal foundation for color adhesion.
Chase Kusero of IGK Hair Care suggests using color-safe shampoo and conditioners that nourish hair without stripping its natural oils, and suggests increasing wash intervals to avoid overprocessing and protect its integrity.
Protein or “plex” treatments for clients with porous hair textures can equalize porosity levels to ensure an even color application, as well as prolong its longevity and reduce future appointments.
Post-color treatment
Keep your color looking vibrant by protecting it from damage. Common causes include heat styling, sun exposure, chlorine exposure and chemicals which weaken keratin coils that hold in moisture; as a result these weaken and fade, leaving locks looking discolored. Protecting them using hair care products designed specifically for color treated locks is key.
Before coloring, use a clarifying shampoo to remove any build-up of oils or hairstyling products that might block the cuticle layer from being open and accepting dye. Your colorist may advise waiting several days after dying before shampooing in order to allow time for proper setting of color.
After coloring your hair, use a gentle shampoo that is color safe. Products containing harsh ingredients such as sulfates or SD-40 alcohol may cause your color to fade more rapidly; opt for shampoos free of sulfates like Jojoba oil for optimal results.
Scheduling appointments
Your frequency of hair color maintenance appointments depends on a few variables, including your natural hair color and desired look. For example, if you want full head highlights to cover graying hairs, touch-up appointments should probably take place every six weeks for touch ups.
Bring reference images of the look you desire with you for your appointment in order to avoid any confusion during it. This helps your stylist understand your vision and will ensure they can fulfill it successfully. Additionally, be sure to ask whether your desired style requires multiple visits or not.
Before your coloring appointment, it is wise to avoid heat styling tools as these can damage strands already stressed from bleach or dye, potentially hindering them from accepting your new shade and absorption. A hot oil treatment can nourish and strengthen strands prior to coloring appointment.
Choosing the right products
Maintaining vibrant, long-term hair color results requires proper maintenance techniques. Working with a professional stylist and using color-safe products, as well as limiting washing frequency and sun protection as well as deep conditioning regularly can extend its life and increase vibrancy.
Kusero recommends using a clarifying shampoo prior to your color appointment in order to remove product buildup that might prevent dye from penetrating deeply into your hair strands. He suggests choosing a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner like Shu Uemura Color Care products which contain refining lipids to protect from color fade.
Protecting your hair color also means avoiding heat styling tools, which can damage and fade its shade. In addition, when going outdoors you should wear a hat or use UV-protective spray and when possible root touch-up kits can help conceal any signs of regrowth between salon visits.
