Written by Daniela
Image by @Lizzobeeating
Coloured tresses are a thing of the past, present and future! Since the invention hair dye in the early 1900s, coloured hair has blossomed into a form of self-expression and the basis of trends set throughout the decades. From jet black hair to the more recent ginger and skunk-striped looks, coloured hair has always been a big part of culture.
While colour-treated hair (whether full colour, highlights or balayage) creates fun looks, not knowing how to maintain it can lead to your colour fading quickly and lots of damage. Here are 6 tips you need to follow to keep your coloured hair thriving…
Use colour safe shampoos
Shampoos are a critical part of wash day and even more so when you have colour-treated hair. Sulfate, a popular ingredient in shampoos is great for removing build-up but can strip colour and cause drier hair so say it me, SULFATE IS THE ENEMY! Instead, incorporate sulfate-free, nourishing gentle cleansers that will get your hair and scalp clean without the extra harsh effects.
Treat hair weekly
Colour-treated hair tends to be on the drier side so using deep treatments on a weekly basis are a must! Personally, I noticed a huge difference in how dry my hair got post colour, so I knew I had to step up my deep conditioning game. Adding a super moisturizing treatment on a weekly basis will bring your hair back to life and prevent breakage due to dryness. The use of protein deep treatments biweekly or monthly will also help strengthen hair shafts, which your hair needs the most!
Remoisturise during the week
You might find that even after a great wash day, a few days in your hair starts to feel dry. This is totally normal and where refresher sprays and leave in conditioning sprays come in. These make it super quick and easy to add moisture throughout the week and hold you over till your next wash day. It’s also a plus if the spray has UV protection as exposure to the sun makes coloured hair dull. My favourite spray is Briogeo’s Superfoods 3-in-1 leave in spray, talk about moisture + UV protection in a bottle!
Always use heat protectant
While heat protectants are important for every hair type, this is especially true for colour-treated hair. Hair being chemically processed causes it to be weaker and more fragile, therefore heat styling without some form of protection can cause dryness, damage and breakage. Heat also causes the hair cuticles to open and the colour deposited to bleed, making it fade faster. Heat protectants add a coating to the hair, sealing in the moisture and reducing the potential damage.
Resist colouring hair too frequently
You’re about a month post colour and your new growth is ruining the look, UGH! Trust me I’ve been there. It can be very tempting to want to touch up your colour as soon as it starts to grow out or fade but that is never a good idea. Redyeing too quickly can cause your hair to be overprocessed, leading to lifeless and damaged hair, basically fried! Industry experts recommend waiting the minimum 6-8 weeks before getting a colour touch up.
Get trims often
Your ends are the oldest and most fragile parts of your hair. Add colour treatments to the mix and you might find that your ends are extremely dry and split, have single strand knots or look straggly a lot sooner. A simple fix to this is to get your hair trimmed more often. This will maintain the health of your hair and reduce the risk of further damage.
Colour-treated hair is fun to have but requires a lot of attention. With proper care and following these 6 tips, your colour will last longer, be vibrant and with your hair looking as healthy as ever!
