If you have dyed hair, you’ll know that, eventually, it all comes out. Over time, the hair either grows or drops off, or the color washes out if you’re using a temporary or henna-based product.
When this happens, you can feel a little cheated. You paid a lot of money for your new color, and now it’s gone!
The good news is that there are all sorts of things you can do to keep it longer. Even if previous dying attempts ended in disaster, you can take practical steps to ensure that the next is a success.
But what should you be doing, exactly? That’s what we’re about to find out. This post takes a look at all the ways you can keep your dyed hair for longer, giving you more bang for the buck!
Eat Right
The first commandment is to eat right. Consuming a healthier diet will enable your hair to keep the desired color for longer.
How does that work? Well, it’s a little indirect. Better food won’t magically keep color pigments in your hair. However, it will keep your scalp healthy which, in turn, can provide oils to your hair strands. These oils then protect your hair when you wash it in the shower or go for a swim. Water essentially bounces off them, keeping the hair supple, and helping any color stay inside.
If you struggle with peroxide-damaged hair, you might want to add some walnuts or vitamin E-containing foods to your diet. These contain high concentrations of the beneficial nutrient, which supports scalp health.
Prepare For Swimming Sessions
You’ll also want to ensure you prepare properly for swimming sessions. Don’t be one of those people who get out of the pool with their color running everywhere!
The problem with swimming pools is that chlorine can change your hair’s color. You can get into the pool a lovely chocolate brown but come out looking like a faded gray.
The trick is to prep your hair beforehand with a protective barrier. If you can prevent the water from getting to the color-containing part of the hair, you can keep it looking fresh and bouncy.
The best way to do this is to treat it with a layer of conditioner before you get into the pool which you then spin into a bun. If you have a swimming cap that can create a watertight seal around your hair, then use it.
Use A UV-filtering spray
Another tip is to use a UV-filtering spray. These products make your dye last longer by protecting it from the sun’s harmful rays.
UV radiation is so energetic it can break down organic molecules. That’s why you need to use sunscreen to protect your DNA! Many hair dyes use these kinds of molecules, meaning that when light hits them, they can break apart and become different chemical compounds.
UV sprays help to protect your hair when the sun is beating down on it, similarly to sunscreen. Hair looks brighter and healthier, even after a week of hiking outdoors in the summer.
As a side note, UV radiation can still be strong in the winter, even on cloudy days, Therefore, always use spray on your hairstyle if you know you are going to be outside for a long time, especially around midday.
Use Toning Shampoos
Another pro tip to make your dyed hair last longer is to add toning shampoos to your routine. These contain subtle pigments that help to enhance the appearance of dyed hair.
For example, blue shampoos are suitable for dyed brunettes. That’s because blue is on the opposite side of the color wheel (for those who understand color theory).
Once you start using toning shampoos, you can subtly maintain and enhance any color you receive at the salon. These products add small quantities of pigments to enhance the overall appearance.
Air Dry Your Hair
You can also make dyed hair last longer by air drying your hair. Instead of taking a blow dryer to it, pat it down with a towel and allow it to dry naturally by itself.
The problem with blow dryers and other sources of heat is that they damage the hair. The outer layers become brittle, allowing pigment to escape. Over time, hair starts to look dull and dry, which is the opposite of what you want.
If you are worried about dry hair, try adding various oils, like argan or coconut. These provide a protective layer similar to the skin that prevents hair from losing excessive moisture, even if you blow dry it. You should notice that this, in turn, makes it less likely you’ll lose color over time.
Use Plenty Of Masks
Another approach you might want to try to get your dyed hair to last longer is to use masks. Just a few minutes every week can work wonders for your hair’s suppleness and keep it feeling fresh and bouncy.
Masks are effective because they penetrate the core of the hair and make it more flexible. The best products last all week and provide your hair with the nourishment it needs to stay looking beautiful and shiny.
Add A Heat Protection Spray To Your Routine
You can also look after dyed hair by adding a heat protection spray to your routine. These stop any patches from getting too hot during treatment.
Heat protection sprays work by distributing heat across a larger surface area of hair. Instead of individual spots heating to high temperatures, the effect is similar to how gasses exchange heat in a room, evening out the average temperature.
Just note that these sprays aren’t foolproof. If you apply high-heat tongs or curling irons, you will still cause damage that could make your color fade. However, they may improve your hair’s condition long-term if you regularly apply these treatments.
Invest In A Quality Conditioner
It almost goes without saying that investing in a quality conditioner is among the best ways to protect dyed hair. As mentioned earlier, conditioner helps to trap moisture in the hair and keep it hydrated. It also provides a protective barrier to stop strands from dying out and fraying, which is something colored hair is particularly prone to.
Wash Your Hair Infrequently
Finally, if you want to keep your lovely luscious dyed locks for longer, consider washing your hair less frequently and using a smaller quantity of shampoo. Conventional shampoos have a nasty habit of stripping oil from the hair. While this is good if your hair gets greasy quickly, it’s not so great if it is dry to begin with because of dying.
Try washing your hair twice a week on non-consecutive days, and see what happens. You should notice that your dye lasts longer and looks better, particularly if you are using semi-permanent products.
If you don’t want to do that, buy shampoos specially formulated for dyed hair. There are plenty on the market. These contain special agents that protect the color of hair and stop strands from drying out excessively.
You might be able to get away with washing your hair with a small amount of shampoo three times a week if you have particularly greasy hair. People whose hair starts to look oily after 24 hours should consider this approach.
Conclusion
In summary, no hair dye will last forever, and nor should it. However, you can get the most out of your new color by adopting the approaches explained in this post. The more you can protect your hair from damage and dryness, the better your color will last.