How To Protect Your Coloured Hair

Tips For Preventing Hair Colour Fade
From Johnson Blythe Hairdressers in Hertford

It's a great feeling when you walk out of the hairdressers with your freshly coloured hair looking bright and fabulous.  At Johnson Blythe we only use top quality hair colour products from L'Oreal, but it's natural that over time your colour will gradually start to fade.  Not such a great feeling!  

Summer sunshine and holidays can make it fade more quickly, so what can you do?  We want you to keep that salon-fresh hair colour feeling for as long as possible, so we're providing these top tips to help protect your hair colour and prevent it from fading.  

There are many simple changes you can make to your routine and products to try to keep your hair colour looking glossy and vibrant for longer.

Be Careful When You Wash Your Hair

The way in which you wash your hair and how frequently you do so is an important factor in how long your hair colour will last.  The amount of fade from washing will of course depend on whether you have chosen a permanent or semi-permanent colour.  In either case, when your hair is newly coloured, we recommend that you do not wash it  for at least 24 hours after your hair colour appointment. This allows the hair colour enough time to really settle into your hair.

Ideally you should wait 72 hours before washing your hair at home after having it coloured (although we understand this may feel like a long time - especially if you've been to the gym!)   If you can hold off, however, this will allow your hair cuticle the three full days it needs to fully reseal itself after the hair colouring process.  Once the cuticle is sealed the colour is more firmly established inside your hair, meaning it won't wash away so easily.

You should also minimise hair washing after this, as the more you do so, the more your hair colour will fade. If you currently wash your hair every day, how about trying washing it every other day? 

Be Careful How You Wash Your Hair!

 When you do wash your hair, apply the shampoo to the roots of your hair only, as this is where the oil and dirt builds up.  Avoid applying it directly to the lengths of your hair, as this can strip the colour away, especially if you aren't using specialist colour protection shampoo.

When it comes to conditioning your hair, we recommend avoiding the roots!  Focus instead on the mid-lengths to ends of your hair, where it can tend to become dry and damaged. Avoiding the roots prevents your hair looking greasy too quickly, so prevents excess washing.

Finishing with a cold rinse also helps to seal the hair cuticle back down, thus protecting your hair colour further.  It also helps to make your hair sleeker and shinier.

Use The Best Products For Coloured Hair

When choosing a shampoo and conditioner, it's important to protect your investment in your hair colour and choose professional salon quality products.  Cheap brands found at supermarkets are a false economy as they often contain harsh chemicals that can strip your hair's colour and condition.

In particular, we recommend looking out for sulphate-free hair products, which are gentler on the hair.  Speak to your Johnson Blythe hair colourist, who can recommend the best L'Oreal Serie Expert or Kérastase products for your coloured hair.   For example, Vitamino Color from L'Oreal is a professional shampoo designed to make your hair colour last for up to 8 weeks longer. 

As well as choosing the correct shampoo you should also use a good quality conditioner or hair mask as the colouring process can leave your hair dry.  If your hair is dry and brittle and look your colour will lose its radiance and look dull.

Protect Your Hair From Heat Damage and the Sun

We all know that heated styling tools can damage our hair if  used without protection, and the same applies to UV rays and heat from the sun.  The sun's rays can break down chemical bonds in your hair which results in it becoming dull, brittle and dry and your colour looking faded.

Protect your hair from the sun by wearing a hat or apply an SPF for the hair, such as Solar Sublime Instant Sun Protection.   This  invisible conditioning protective spray by L'Oréal Professionnel is a light, leave-in mist formulation.  It offers instant conditioning protection for hair during sun-exposure, shielding it from the drying effects of sunlight whilst leaving the hair super shiny.

Meanwhile, if you want to use heated styling tools on your hair, always make sure you use heat protection, such as L’Oréal Professionnel TECNI.ART Constructor.  This heat activated spray also adds texture and volume so it's ideal for wavy hairstyles.  Available at our Hertford salon.

Olaplex Treatments For Coloured Hair

At our Hertford salon, we are proud to offer the latest OLAPLEX hair treatments and products. OLAPLEX is hailed as a game changer for colour-treated hair.  It works to repair and restore compromised and damaged hair from the inside out, restoring broken bonds and adding radiance. We offer a range of OLAPLEX hair treatments that can be added to your hair colouring appointment to protect and repair your hair during the hair colouring process.

By choosing an OLAPLEX treatment with your hair colour you will notice that it looks more vibrant, healthy and shiny. We also offer a full range of the latest OLAPLEX hair products that you can use at home to keep your hair colour looking and feeling its best long after your hair colouring appointment.  Visit the salon to see our full range of OLAPLEX products and treatments .

Book An Appointment with our Top Hertford Hairdressers

The best way to make sure that your hair colour stays looking fresh and radiant is to book regular appointments with the hair colour experts at our Hertford hairdressing salon.  To book, please call us on 01992 568924 or book online using the pop-up button.