Whether you have platinum blonde, brown, black, red or even blue hair, dye it hair they need a little extra care if you want your color to last. There is nothing worse than spending a fortune on hairdresser for the newest and trendiest color and fade within a week due to poor care. Believe me, I have seen this too and honestly my “heart ached”! Here are the tips I’ve put together to keep them healthy and shiny painted your hair and of course? Lasting in color!

1. You must wait 72 hours before washing your hair

When you dye your hair, the outer layer of the hair (cuticle) opens up to allow the color to penetrate. If you wash your hair immediately after dyeing, the cuticle may remain open, causing the color to wash out. It takes up to three days for the cuticle to fully close, so the longer you wait before washing, the longer your color will last.

2. Use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner

Sodium laureth sulfate, also known as sodium sulfate ether, is a type of anionic detergent found in many personal care products. This ingredient is used to create foam in shampoos and conditioners. However, using sulfates can strip your hair of its natural oils and moisture, which in turn can strip your beautiful dyed color. Use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner to maintain your color between salon visits.

3. Avoid very hot showers

Although hot showers can be relaxing, they are not so good for your hair color. Hot water can open the scales of the hair, which allows the color to wash out during washing and conditioning. Try to bathe in lukewarm water and rinse your hair in cold water to lock in moisture and preserve color.

4. Don’t wash your hair often

Daily washing is something you should avoid if you want your hair color to last longer, especially if you have bright colors like red or copper. Washing not only removes the natural oils that moisturize your hair and keep your color fresh, but every time you wash, a small amount of the dye is removed from your hair. Try bathing every day, or even 2-3 times a week to maintain your color.

5. On days you don’t shower, use dry shampoo

On days you don’t wash, try using a special dry shampoo for colored hair. This will refresh your hair and absorb the oiliness without having to do a full wash.

6. Use leave-in treatments to protect the color during styling

Colored and chemically treated hair needs extra hydration and sun protection to avoid damage and loss of nutrients. Leave-in treatments will help keep your hair smooth and hydrated, and it’s important to find one with UV protection so the sun doesn’t fade your hair color. You can, for example, use a sunscreen hair spray.

7. Use heat protectant spray

Heat can strip color and moisture from hair and lead to damage. To prevent these problems when using styling tools, try using a heat protection spray before blow drying or styling. These sprays will help reduce moisture loss from the inside of the hair, smooth the outside of the hair, and protect your hair from humidity after heat treatment, helping to maintain color.

8. Prepare your hair for the next dyeing process

Maintaining your hair color doesn’t start after the salon, it starts before you even get there. Use a deep cleansing shampoo the day before your next salon dyeing session. This will remove oils and products that can prevent the color from penetrating deep into the hair.

9. More regular haircut appointments

As tempting as it is to keep your hair length at all costs, split ends do not retain color and can fade even faster than healthy hair. It’s important to trim your hair regularly every 8-12 weeks to keep your hair color looking fresh from root to tip.