With great hair comes great… responsibility! Whether you’re opting for a balayage or a full head colour, dyeing your hair can freshen up your look, give your hair dimension, and is just flat-out fun. But we’re here to tell you that properly caring for colour-treated hair is super important to make sure you don’t wash your money (and your colour) down the drain!
Lucky for you, we’ve created this hairdresser-approved guide to make sure your colour-treated hair looks salon-fresh as long as possible. Let’s get into it!
The first step in protecting your hair colour is to understand the reason it's fading faster than usual.
Why Is My Hair Colour Fading So Quickly
There are many things that could be causing your hair colour to fade. Here are some of them:
Not using colour-safe products
If you're using products that are not colour safe, you run the risk of your hair colour fading faster. Colour-safe products are free from harsh chemicals like sulfates that cause your hair colour to fade faster. They also provide a little extra conditioning to keep your colour-treated locks hydrated.
Hard Water
If the water from your tap appears cloudy or leaves a chalky buildup on your bath or shower over time, you likely have hard water. This means your water has a high mineral content usually calcium, limestone, or magnesium. Hard water is a big culprit in causing your hair colour to fade.
The Pool or The Beach
Swimming in the ocean or a chlorinated pool can cause your hair colour to fade. The same goes for spending hot days on the beach or next to the pool. The UV rays from the sun can change the colour of both natural and dyed hair.
Hair porosity
This is something you don’t really have much control over. You can blame it on good old genetics! Hair porosity refers to your hair’s ability to soak up and hold on to moisture. If your hair is on the more porous side, it’ll have difficulty holding on to colour, meaning it’ll fade faster.
Type of hair dye
Another factor to consider is what kind of dye you’re using, as this may affect how long it takes to wash out.
• Demi-permanent: Lasts around 12 to 24 shampoos (depending on the brand and application). A great choice if you are not ready to fully commit to a colour.
• Semi-permanent: Lasts around four to six weeks before fading noticeably.
• Permanent: Despite the name, permanent colour begins to fade at around eight weeks.
How to Make Your Hair Colour Last Longer
Luckily, there are so many things you can do to prolong the vibrancy and life of your hair colour and most of these fixes are really easy to adapt into your routine.
Avoid Washing Hair Everyday
Washing your hair every day can strip the hair of its natural moisture and strip the colour from your hair more quickly. So, buy yourself some time by washing less frequently.
Everyone’s scalp condition is different, so less frequently will mean different things for different people, but we do recommend at least skipping a wash every other day. If needed, use the QUICKIE.ME Dry Shampoo between washes to keep roots fresh and oil under control without stripping your colour.
Skip the Piping Hot Showers
Though hot showers feel amazing (especially during those cold winter months!), it isn’t an excellent option for maintaining your hair colour. That’s because hot water opens your hair cuticle, allowing your hair colour to wash out while you’re in the shower.
Instead, lower the temperature of your shower at least for the hair washing part! Cold water will actually seal your cuticle, which will help preserve the moisture in your hair and keep your locks looking healthy and shiny. The result: hair colour that pops and looks way more vibrant!
Use a Hair Treatment and Serum
Hair treatments and oils lock moisture into the cuticle and help colour shine from within. The GLOSS.ME Hydrating Treatment Mask is completely colour-safe and helps strengthen hair, prevent breakage, and prolong the vibrancy of your colour. Use it once a week for the best results. You can find more colour-safe options in the hair masks collection.
The GLOSS.ME Hair Oil is another great addition for colour-treated hair. Infused with Argan Oil, Moringa Seed Oil, Cannabis Sativa Oil, and Rice Bran Oil, it adds life and lustre back to fading colour while keeping hair hydrated and glossy.
Pro tip: Mix one to two pumps of the GLOSS.ME Hair Oil into your treatment mask for a deeper, more intensive hydration treatment.
Use Colour-Safe Products
Colour-safe products are formulated specifically to extend the life of your hair colour. They’re free from nasty chemicals that strip hair colour, and they’re extra hydrating. Hair products containing parabens, sulfates, and alcohol are a HUGE no-no if you want your colour to stay vibrant.
DESIGNME have a great range of colour-safe shampoos and conditioners to choose from. Whether you want to add volume to your hair, hydrate and moisturize, or add definition to curls, we've got you! All of DESIGNME's hair products are colour-safe and you'll be sure to find the right ones for you.
Prep for the pool and beach
This tip is two-fold:
Firstly, look out for products that offer UV protection many of ours do! This will minimize the damage and fade from the sun's UV rays. This applies not only to day-to-day life but especially when you’re planning a beach or pool day to soak up some sun. Trust us, your hair will thank you!
Secondly, try to avoid swimming in a chlorinated pool with freshly dyed hair. Chlorine can cause some of the colour to fade. If you have no choice, apply something with slip to your hair, such as our GLOSS.ME Hair Oil or even some of one of our conditioners. This can help prevent your hair from absorbing too much chlorine and leave it feeling hydrated and glossy after a day in the pool.
Experimenting with colour on your hair can be so much fun, and there is no better feeling than fresh hair colour. We hope these tips help you keep your colour fresh and vibrant for as long as possible!
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I wash colour-treated hair?
Every 2 to 3 days is ideal for most colour-treated hair types. The less you wash, the longer your colour stays vibrant.
Does hot water really affect hair colour?
Yes. Hot water opens the hair cuticle, which allows colour molecules to escape more easily. Washing with cooler water helps seal the cuticle and keep colour locked in for longer.
Can I use any shampoo on colour-treated hair?
No. Shampoos containing sulfates strip colour significantly faster. Always use a sulphate-free, colour-safe shampoo to protect your coloured hair.
