Fade-Free Hair: Pro Tips to Keep Your Colour From Fading
When hair is colored, the process involves the hair's outer cuticle layer opening up to allow colour molecules to penetrate into the cortex (the innermost part of the hair shaft where natural pigments reside). Over time, these color molecules begin to break down and escape from the hair shaft due to exposure to things like water, UV rays, styling tools, and even regular wear and tear.
Here’s a breakdown of how this affects the hair:
Colour Molecule Breakdown and Loss: With each wash or exposure to environmental stressors, the colour molecules in dyed hair slowly fade and escape, leaving behind tiny gaps in the hair's cortex.
Moisture Loss: These gaps don’t just mean less colour—they can also lead to a loss of moisture since the hair's ability to retain hydration is compromised, which makes hair look dry and feel brittle.
Roughened Texture: As the cuticle layers weaken and don’t lie as smoothly against each other, hair loses its natural shine and can look dull and less reflective.
Transparency: When enough colour molecules are lost, hair may start to appear more transparent, especially in lighter hair colours or if the hair is thin. This can make hair look less full and vibrant.
Regularly conditioning, using colour-protecting shampoos, and limiting heat and sun exposure can all help slow down this process and keep hair looking healthier for longer.
The Ultimate Guide to Keeping Colour-Treated Hair Vibrant and Healthy
When it comes to colouring your hair, there's a bit more to it than just picking out the perfect shade and heading to the salon. Maintaining the vibrancy and health of colour-treated hair requires some extra care and attention. Often, people assume it’s simply “dye and done”—but that’s far from the truth! The colour itself can be sensitive to a variety of factors, and keeping your hair healthy is crucial to preserving the colour.
You've put effort into finding the right shade to match your style—so why let it fade faster than it needs to? In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to keep your colour-treated hair looking gorgeous, strong, and glossy for as long as possible.
Understanding the Risks to the Integrity of Your Hair
Permanent Hair dye alters the structure of your hair. Unfortunately, these changes also mean that your hair can become more vulnerable to damage. When coloured, your hair’s cuticle is lifted to allow colour molecules to penetrate, but this also makes it more susceptible to dryness and breakage. Here’s a closer look at some common risks that colour-treated hair faces:
Harsh Chemicals
The chemicals in hair dye are designed to deposit colour molecules within your hair, but they can also strip away natural oils, leading to breakage, frizz, and split ends.Heat Styling
While a blowout or a quick curl adds polish, excessive use of styling tools can change your hair’s structure, making it weaker. Heating hair to over 300°F can alter natural keratin proteins, leading to breakage and dryness.Natural Heat
The sun and humidity play a big role in hair health, too. UV rays can cause your colour to fade and make your hair more porous and frizzy, while humidity can also interfere with its structure, resulting in dryness.
Tips for Caring for Colour-Treated Hair
Taking good care of your colour-treated hair helps prevent damage, letting you enjoy vibrant, healthy locks long after you’ve left the salon. Here are some key steps to keep in mind:
1. Choose the Right Shampoo and Conditioner
Regular shampoos can strip the colour and moisture from your hair. Opt for products specifically designed for colour-treated hair—these are often free from sulfates and harsh ingredients, which will help to keep your colour vibrant while nourishing your strands.
2. Wash Less Often
Frequent washing can fade your colour more quickly since water causes the hair cuticle to lift, which allows colour molecules to slip out. Try to wash your hair only two to three times a week, using a colour-safe shampoo. For those in-between days, dry shampoo can help to keep your hair looking fresh, or simply wear your hair in a bun or a clip until your next wash.
3. Keep Chlorine at Bay
Chlorine is one of the biggest enemies of colour-treated hair, as it can strip colour and moisture. If you’re heading to the pool, wet your hair with fresh water first and apply a leave-in conditioner to create a protective barrier. Wearing a swim cap can also help keep chlorine out.
4. Protect Your Hair from Heat Damage
Heat styling can weaken and fade colour-treated hair. If you're using any kind of heat styling tool on your hair, you need heat protectant…even if you're just blow drying your hair. Heat protectants are designed to add a barrier between your hair and the heat, locking in moisture and preventing colour from fading. They work by coating your strands with nourishing ingredients that make styling easier and add shine.
5. Steer Clear of Hot Water
Hot water feels great but it can strip your scalp and strands of natural oils, drying them out. Hot water also opens the cuticles of your hair, which allows more water absorption, leading to faster colour fading. Stick to lukewarm or cool water, especially when rinsing out shampoo and conditioner, to help lock in your colour.
6. Guard Against UV Damage
The sun’s rays can weaken and fade colour. To protect your hair from the sun, sit it the shade, wear a hat or use a UV-protectant spray, especially on days when you’ll be outside for extended periods.
7. Incorporate Lamellar Water Into Your Routine
Lamellar water is a lightweight, water-based treatment designed to condition and smooth your hair instantly. Unlike traditional conditioners and masks that can be heavy and leave residue, lamellar water has a unique, watery consistency that allows it to penetrate the hair quickly and efficiently. It doesn't just coat your hair; it selectively deposits moisture and beneficial ingredients into damaged areas, smoothing the hair cuticle and creating a sleek, glossy finish.
8. Invest in At-Home ConditioningTreatments
An at-home conditioning treatment, such as Morroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask, can help maintain the vibrancy of your shade between salon visits.
The Bottom Line
By following these simple steps, you’ll be on your way to keeping your colour-treated hair looking just as fresh, vibrant, and healthy as the day you coloured it. With a little love and attention, your hair can truly be a reflection of your unique style.
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