Your choice of color-treated haircare products makes a difference – search for products without sulfates that have been designed specifically to keep strands vibrant longer.
Natalie Rotger of New York City recommends using lukewarm water temperature when washing your hair as hot temperatures can strip dye from its strands more quickly. Incorporating leave-in conditioner with UV protectants into your routine may also be beneficial.
1. Condition
For optimal color results, it is vital to use color-safe hair care products. Look for shampoo and conditioner formulated specifically for dyed hair to preserve its vibrancy and maintain vibrant hues.
Avoid washing your hair daily as excessive shampooing can strip strands of natural oils that help preserve color fade. Instead, opt for 2-3 washes every week and use lukewarm water instead of hot to open up hair cuticles and cause your color to wash away more rapidly.
Kusero also recommends using dry shampoo between washes to extend the time in-between washes and keep your locks looking vibrant and full of life. On no-shampoo days, he advises using a coloring protector spray like the INVIGO UV Hair Color Protection Spray that contains Vitamin B5 to promote strong, healthy locks while blocking UV rays that could fade or lighten their color over time.
2. Protect
No matter your hair color choice, knowing how to care for and protect it will extend its life and keep its vibrancy alive. Frequent washing with hot water may weaken the protective cuticle that holds in color and hasten its fade. Heat styling also damages locks; limit blow dryer and flat iron use or use heat protectant spray before styling will help extend its vibrancy.
Staying color safe requires choosing products with hydrating ingredients like Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5). This can help lock in moisture to avoid dryness, which causes faster fading of color treated hair. Look for our Technician Color collection which features products with this ingredient for color treated locks.
3. Style
No matter if you’re changing up your color on a regular basis or sticking with one hue, knowing how to style it for maximum impact is crucial. Where possible, air-dry your locks rather than blow-drying as heat damage may speed up fading of dyed strands; when using heat styling tools such as blow dryers, opt for low settings with color-protective hairspray.
If you need to use heat on your hair, opt for products containing Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5) to lock in moisture and nourish strands. The Technician Color collection offers products formulated with Panthenol as well as organic French cold-pressed olive oil to hydrate, protect, and extend vibrancy in color-treated strands.
4. Wash
Integrating color-protecting hair products into your routine can make a dramatic difference in its longevity and vibrancy. Be on the lookout for shampoos and conditioners designed specifically to be gentle on dyed locks while helping preserve their hue.
Kusero advises rinsing hair with cool water whenever possible, as hot water can open the cuticle and speed up color fading. Also when heat styling, limit use of blow dryers, straighteners, and curling wands as too much exposure can damage protective lipid layers that keep hair strong and healthy. Be sure to apply heat protectant spray prior to styling to create an invisible shield against damage while helping stop color from fading faster.
When going swimming, always use a sulfate-free product with UV protectors as chlorine can lighten and fade vibrant colors. Wear a hat when spending extended time outside. Also consider opting for leave-in conditioner or hairspray that contains SPF to increase protection from the sun.
