Sometimes, the only accessory you need is some vibrantly coloured hair. There’s often no better feeling than having your locks freshly coloured at the salon. And, with more and more celebrities sporting coloured hair, people everywhere are keen to have some fun with their locks. If you’ve never strayed from your natural colour, it’s worth noting that coloured hair comes with a lot of extra maintenance. However, with the right tips and tricks, taking care of your coloured hair isn’t as bad as it seems. In this article, we will go over everything you need to know about maintaining coloured hair so that it lasts longer and keeps its salon feel. Follow along below to learn more about hair colour for women!
Understanding Hair Colour for Women and Steps to Take Before Dying Your Locks
Colour-treated hair refers to any hair that has been subjected to a permanent colour treatment. For example, all-over colour, highlights, grey coverage, lowlights, and balayage. Hair dye works by openings in the cuticle of the hair strand allowing the dye molecules to penetrate the hair’s middle layer (cortex). Once the dye reaches the cortex, the hydrogen peroxide oxidizes the melanin in your hair. Melanin is your hair’s natural colour molecule. This process renders your hair colourless and makes room for the dye molecules to bond in place to provide the new colour.
Any hair that has undergone colour treatment is no longer in its natural state. This is because the process of dying or chemically altering your locks changes the hair’s chemical structure. Natural hair is often referred to as “Virgin Hair” due to its lack of exposure to chemicals. What’s more, colour-treated hair behaves differently from virgin hair. For example, it could be more fragile, dry, or require different kinds of products to stay healthy. If you’ve never dyed your hair before, these are all important things to keep in mind before taking the plunge and transforming your look.
For those who plan to dye their hair soon, it’s a good idea to start boosting hair health before colouring it. So, if your hair is damaged, you will want to do your best to get in better shape before changing its natural state. If you find that your hair is too dry or brittle, consider using masks or hydrating treatments to help boost moisture and strength. Doing what you can to improve the health of your hair will surprisingly make a big difference when you go to colour it.
How to Make Your Hair Colour Last Longer & Stay More Vibrant
So you’ve done everything you can to prepare for the new colour, what now? Once you’ve received your brand new hair colour, it’s important not to wash your hair right away – unless otherwise instructed by your hairdresser. Jumping in the shower and scrubbing your hair with shampoo might not ruin your new colour. However, waiting a few days can give the colour a better chance to settle. In the interim, try to use a dry shampoo if your locks need a refresh.
While we are on the topic of washing dyed hair, it’s good to wash your hair with cold water. This doesn’t mean you need to start your day with a cold shower at 5 am like those productivity influencers but try to keep the temperature to a minimum when you’re washing your locks. Hair follicles stay closed in cold water which makes the colour less likely to wash out and fade. It’s also important to limit the frequency with which you wash your hair. As we mentioned above, dry shampoo is your best friend on those days between washes. While nobody likes dirty hair, suffering through the grease for an extra day or so will inevitably make your colour last longer. This is simply because you aren’t washing it out as often.
Another tip that you absolutely should consider adding to your washing regimen is a coloured conditioner. There are so many colour-friendly conditioners on the market that you can use on hair-wash days. These products will extend the life of your new colour all that much longer. Ask your stylist about what product is best for your new colour. On the subject of products, be sure to use a heat protectant and repair treatments to reverse some of the trauma of dyeing your locks.
Contact us Today!
At BOTTEGA, dyeing hair is our specialty! With the right care and maintenance routine, your dyed hair will remain fresher for longer! Contact us today to schedule your consultation and let us help you create a plan to attain your hair goals. If you have other questions about styling hair or general hair inquiries, post your questions on our “Ask a Stylist” forum. We look forward to seeing you in the salon soon. Moreover, be sure to check back next month for more hair content and visit our social media.
