Dying your hair is a great way to switch up your appearance and cover those relentless grey hairs. Whether platinum blonde or a rich brunette shade, no matter what colour you decide to go for, if you want your colour to last long then it’s important to give your hair a little extra TLC.
Perhaps you’re a total novice to dying your hair, or you may have been treating it with colour for years- but there are always new tips you can implement in order to keep your hair healthy. Here are some of our top tips for keeping colour-treated hair healthy:
1. Consider Using a Salon
If you’re just about to dye your hair, then it’s worth considering how you are going to get the job done. Box dyes contain cheaper ingredients which can be harmful to your hair in the long-term. Meanwhile, professional colour is a lot gentler, as your hair stylist will determine the strength and tone of your colour.
Make sure you find a top-rated salon with experience in colour-treating hair. Search for best hairdresser Sydney to find a hairdresser that you can trust.
2. Wash Your Hair Less
Every time you wash your hair, a little bit of your colour will fade. Even if you’re not shampooing, simply leaving your hair under running water will be enough to cause the colour to fade. Aim to wash your hair only two or three times in the week- and invest in a handy shower cap for your non-hair-washing days.
3. Consider Sulfate-Free Shampoo and Conditioner
Sodium laureth sulfate is found in many high-street haircare products, and its purpose is to produce a foaming effect. The problem with sulphates is that they can be harsh on your hair, and continued use can risk stripping your hair of its natural oils and moisture. Consequently, your hair will also be stripped of its colour more quickly.
There are plenty of sulphate-free shampoos on the market which will do wonders for the health of your hair.
4. Conditioner is Your New Best Friend
If conditioning your hair wasn’t already a part of your haircare routine, then it’s time to introduce conditioner into your life. Colouring your hair can make it more fragile and dry out the ends, leading to the breakage that causes split ends. Using conditioner regularly will help to keep your hair soft, sleek and healthy, and minimizes the risk of having dry, brittle ends. Using a weekly hair mask is also a great way to keep your hair healthy.
5. Turn Down Your Water Temperature
There’s nothing better than a steaming hot shower during the winter, but though the hot water might feel great on your skin, it isn’t so great for your coloured hair. Hot water opens your hair’s cuticle, causing your colour to run out as you shampoo and condition. To keep your colour-treated hair safe, try using lukewarm water when you’re showering – here are some of our top tips for keeping colour-treated hair healthy- and if you’re brave enough, you can even rinse with cold water to seal your cuticle and keep your colour firmly in place.
