From Dye to Dazzling: Expert Advice On Nurturing Your Color-Treated Hair

As you step into the salon, the gentle hum of blow dryers, the mingled laughter of hair stylists, and the smell of fresh hair products create a comfortable setting for a new change. You scoured Pinterest and Instagram for the perfect hair inspo, and you have exactly what you want in mind.

After your stylist spends hours working their magic on your hair, you step out of the salon with a bold new color and a breath of fresh air for your hair. 

We all love the feeling of a fresh-colored look—but, if you don’t care for your hair properly at home, you might run into some trouble. Dyeing your hair is harsh, and it can leave your hair feeling dry and brittle without proper care. Luckily, though, there are plenty of ways to rejuvenate your hair and help your new vibrant color last until your next salon visit. Let’s talk about some tried and true color-treated hair care tips.

Shampooing Color-Treated Hair

Avoid shampooing when you can, but use a gentle, color-safe shampoo on your wash days

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of stepping out of the salon with a fresh color and cut. After, though, comes the challenge of maintaining that vibrant hue and ensuring your color-treated locks stay as gorgeous as ever. Shampooing your hair requires a gentle touch and specific considerations to preserve the color and overall health of your hair. 

Wait to wash your hair after you leave the salon

First and foremost, you should wait 48-72 hours before you wash your hair after your color treatment. The longer you can prolong your first wash, the better. This will give your color ample time to set so it lasts much longer. 

Find the right color-safe shampoo

You, of course, can’t put off washing your hair forever. The foundation of maintaining your color and keeping your hair healthy starts with choosing the right color-safe shampoo. With a plethora of options on the market, finding the best shampoo can be a bit of a challenge. Let’s break down some of the factors you should consider when looking for a color-safe shampoo:

• Choose a sulfate-free shampoo - Sulfates are used frequently in shampoos because of their cleansing properties, but ultimately, they are harsh on color-treated hair. 
• Find a gentle, moisturizing formula - Heavy clarifying shampoos are great to use to remove buildup, but this type of shampoo can strip away your color and leave your hair feeling dry. Instead, opt for a gentle shampoo that maintains your hair’s moisture while protecting your color. 
• Look out for color-safe labels - Some shampoos are specifically designed to preserve color-treated hair. Look for labels on your shampoo like “color-safe,” but make sure you do your research and read reviews before settling for the first one you find.
• Consider your hair type - If your color-treated hair is also curly, fine, oily, or dry, look for a shampoo that will also address your specific hair type and needs.
• Ask your stylist for a recommendation - Your stylist is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to hair care, and they want you to love your hair even after you leave the salon, too! Your hair stylist should be able to recommend specific products that will work well with your hair. 

Shampoo your hair properly

Preserving your color-treated hair is not just about what type of shampoo you use, it’s also about how you wash your hair. 

Always use lukewarm water when you wash your hair. Hot water can open up your hair cuticles, causing color molecules to escape more easily. 

Massage your shampoo gently into your scalp with your fingertips and focus mostly on your scalp. Rinse your hair thoroughly until the water runs clear. 

Skip a wash when you can

When it comes to shampooing, it’s best to avoid shampooing your hair as much as possible. If you’re used to shampooing daily, you may want to cut back shampooing to every 2-3 days instead so your color doesn’t fade. Keep your hair dry in the shower and use a color-safe dry shampoo in between washes to keep your hair fresh. 

Conditioning Color-Treated Hair

Well-conditioned hair is key to improving the quality of your hair and the vibrancy of your color

Maintaining color-treated hair is a huge investment—both of your money AND your time. And, let’s face it, dyeing your hair causes a lot of damage. Color-treated hair is much more prone to dryness and breakage, which is why conditioning your hair will be your saving grace.

Conditioning helps you lock in moisture, sealing your cuticles to prevent moisture loss. It will also help you maintain and enhance the vibrancy of your color while reducing any tangles or frizz that makes your hair hard to manage. Well-conditioned hair will make a big difference in the longevity and quality of your locks.

Find the right color-safe conditioner

Just like with shampoo, your conditioner will set the foundation for healthy and vibrant color-treated hair. Not all conditioners are created equally, though. Here’s what to consider when looking for a color-safe conditioner:

• Choose a sulfate-free conditioner - Just like in shampoos, conditioners also tend to have sulfates, which are harsh on color-treated hair.
• Look for moisturizing ingredients - Find a conditioner rich in hydrating ingredients, like Aragon oil, shea butter, or glycerin. These ingredients will nourish and repair damage caused by dyeing your hair. 
• See if your color-safe shampoo has an accompanying conditioner - Some color-safe shampoos have a matching conditioner. These are often formulated to work together for the best results. 

Condition your hair properly

You should always condition your hair after shampooing. Every. Single. Time. Otherwise, you’ll be left with a dry, tangled mess after you get out of the shower—and no one wants that. 

After fully rinsing your shampoo, apply your conditioner to the ends and lengths of your hair. Focus your application on areas where your hair tends to be driest, avoiding the scalp to prevent extra oiliness. Use your fingers or a wide-toothed comb to distribute the product evenly. 

Leave your conditioner in for a few minutes to give the ingredients time to properly moisturize your hair. Rise out the conditioner with lukewarm or cool water thoroughly. 

Add dye to your conditioner 

Depending on the type of color treatment you get at the salon, you might be able to make your color last even longer by adding dye to your conditioner. By adding it to your conditioner, you can refresh your hair color at home, which will help reduce fading and give you longer-lasting results. Talk to your hairstylist to see if this is a good option for you.

Leave-In Treatments For Color-Treated Hair

Add a couple of leave-in treatments to your hair care routine to help rejuvenate your hair and protect your color 

Keeping your color-treated hair healthy doesn’t stop with washing. You’ve set the foundation for clean and moisturized hair with shampooing and conditioning, and leave-in treatments are the next step in maintaining your hair's health and color.

Leave-in conditioner

As we’ve discussed, coloring your hair leads to damage, dryness, and breakage. You need to do all that you can to ensure your hair is hydrated so that your hair is healthier and can sustain color longer. 

Leave-in conditioners contain moisturizing ingredients to help hydrate and nourish your hair. Especially if your hair tends to get knotted, a leave-in conditioner can work wonders to detangle your hair. Because color-treated hair tends to be a bit more delicate, a good leave-in conditioner can help prevent breakage when brushing your hair. 

Apply a small amount of leave-in conditioner to your hair after shampooing and conditioning. Work it through your hair with a wide-toothed comb or your fingers, and style your hair as normal after you’ve applied. 

Hair serums

Hair serums are lightweight, liquid-based hair care products formulated for specific hair concerns. Applied after washing and conditioning, hair serums can help smooth your hair, enhance your shine, control your frizz, and protect your hair. 

When searching for a hair serum for your color-treated hair, look for:

• Hydration properties - Your serum should provide hydration and moisture for your hair since color-treated hair is much more prone to dryness. Our Platinum Silk Hair & Body Oil is the perfect solution if you’re looking for an all-around product to achieve hydration. While you can use this product on both your hair and your body, this is especially good to use to help rehydrate overprocessed hair. 
• Peptides and other ingredients designed to improve hair health - The health of your hair directly correlates with the quality of your color-treated hair. Your serum should include a peptide formula designed to improve the health of your scalp to help repair any damage from coloring.
• Color protection - Hair serums for color-treated hair should help you preserve your color, so look for color-safe labels on your products. 

When you get out of the shower after washing your hair, squeeze out any excess water and apply your hair serum. Start small and build up if you need more. Focus your application primarily on the lengths and ends of your hair. Comb through your hair to ensure your product is distributed evenly. 

Heat protectants 

Regardless of whether or not your hair is dyed, using heat on your hair is damaging. It’s always best to use less heat when styling your hair, but of course, that shouldn’t mean you can’t use any heat on your hair at all. You just need to add a little extra protection to your hair with a heat protectant. 

Heat protectants work by creating a protective barrier on the surface of your hair. The barrier is intended to keep moisture in while reducing damage from heat. As you use heat on your hair, your hair protectant helps distribute heat more evenly across your hair, minimizing heat exposure and protecting your hair from burning. 

Make sure you apply your heat protection on damp hair before you use any heat-based styling tools. In this case, you’ll want to apply your protectant evenly from root to tip, but you should apply a bit more product to the ends of your hair where the heat will likely be focused. Once you have your hair protectant in, you can style your hair as usual. 

A fresh cut and color from the salon has the power to change your attitude and enhance your confidence. With a bit of specialized care, you can be sure you’re doing the most you can to keep your hair healthy and your color vibrant.