Maintaining your hair color can be a challenging task, especially if you have a busy lifestyle that doesn’t allow for regular trips to the salon. However, there are several tips and tricks that you can use to keep your hair color looking fresh and vibrant between salon visits. Let's review some of the best ways to maintain your hair color at home, while also highlighting the benefits of using professional specialized conditioners, such as K18, at a Seattle hair salon.
1. Use Color-protecting Shampoo and Conditioner
One of the most important steps in maintaining your hair color is to use color-protecting shampoo and conditioner. These products are specifically formulated to help extend the life of your hair color by preventing it from fading or getting dull. We recommend L'Oreal Professional Vitamino Color, which is sulfate-free and contain UV filters to protect your hair from the sun’s harmful rays.
When shopping for color-protecting products, consider investing in professional-grade products like those found at our Seattle hair salon. These products contain high-quality ingredients that are designed to nourish and protect your hair, ensuring that your color stays vibrant and long-lasting.
2. Wash Your Hair Less Frequently
Another tip for maintaining your hair color is to wash your hair less frequently. Washing your hair too often can strip away the color and natural oils, leading to fading and dullness. Try to stretch out the time between washes by using dry shampoo or simply rinsing your hair with water on non-shampoo days.
If you do need to wash your hair, be sure to use lukewarm water and gentle products that are specifically formulated for color-treated hair. Avoid using hot water and harsh shampoos, as these can cause your color and/or shine to fade more quickly.
3. Avoid Heat Styling
Heat styling tools like flat irons, curling wands, and blow dryers can cause damage to your hair, leading to faster color fading. Try to limit your use of heat styling tools and opt for heat-free styling methods whenever possible. If you do need to use heat, be sure to use a heat protectant spray to minimize damage. Heat is okay, as long as you use layered heat protection.
4. Protect Your Hair from the Sun
Just like your skin, your hair can be damaged by the sun’s harmful UV rays. To protect your hair color from fading, be sure to wear a hat or use a UV protectant spray when spending time outdoors. We offer and recommend SunBum Hair and Scalp SPF (sold in our Seattle hair salon). Additionally, consider using leave-in conditioners or serums with UV filters in a layering method to help shield your hair from the sun’s damaging effects.
5. Deep Condition Regularly
Color-treated hair tends to be more prone to dryness and damage, so it’s important to keep your hair well-moisturized and nourished. To prevent your color from fading and to keep your hair looking healthy and shiny, consider using a deep conditioning treatment at least once a week. Look for products that are designed for color-treated hair.
6. Get Regular Trims
Split ends and breakage can make your hair color look dull and lifeless. To keep your hair looking fresh and vibrant, be sure to get regular trims every 6-8 weeks. No longer than every quarter (3 months). Trimming your hair regularly will help prevent split ends from traveling up the hair shaft, leading to healthier, more vibrant hair color. The hair does grow fast, but when breakage is occuring, we have witnessed instances where peoples hair is breaking off at the same rate as it is growing, leaving them to believe their color grows out, just not their hair. When in reality the amount equal to the new growth is breaking off in between hair cuts. This could be due to over heat, not enough protective products, or over-manipulation of the hair. Do not go to sleep with wet hair as your hair is the most fragile in the wet state. It is much easier to break the hair when it is wet and we notice this breakage on the head in coordination with how the person sleeps with wet hair.
7. Use a Color Depositing Conditioner
To keep your hair color looking fresh between salon visits, consider using a color-depositing conditioner. We customize these formulas specifically for you, to add a hint of color to your hair with each use, helping to refresh your color and enhance its vibrancy. Color-depositing conditioners are available in a wide range of shades, and we can match one to your specific hair color just for you.
8. Invest in Professional Treatments
We include an extra boost of color protection and nourishment, like K18 at our Seattle hair salon. K18 is a revolutionary treatment that repairs damage at the molecular level, helping to restore and strengthen your hair from the inside out. This advanced treatment can help extend the life of your hair color, while also improving the overall health and appearance of your hair. These treatments are celebrated by stylists and consumers all over the world.
By following these tips and incorporating professional products, like K18 (or others we offer) into your hair care routine, you can maintain your hair color between salon visits and keep it looking fresh and vibrant for longer. With a little extra care and attention, you can enjoy beautiful, long-lasting hair color that turns heads wherever you go.