A salon is the best place to get your hair coloured and make sure that you go to the best hair colouring salon in Kochi. But to maintain it, a salon visit is not necessary. By following certain tips and techniques you can maintain your coloured hair even at home. Hair colouring involves chemicals penetrating your hair, leaving them prone to dryness, damage, and breakage. Without the right aftercare, your coloured hair can easily become lifeless and dull. In this blog we discuss some simple hair colouring tips at home to maintain the health of your coloured hair.

1. Choose the right shampoo and conditioner

It is important to use the type of shampoo that keeps your hair colour from losing its vibrancy. Use a specially formulated shampoo for coloured hair. It will protect your hair as well as balance its natural pH. Colour-safe shampoos maintain your hair colour and ensure that it does not fade quickly. Use a conditioner whenever you shampoo your hair. Colour safe conditioners form a protective barrier on the hair strands. This helps in sealing the cuticles and locking in moisture which adds shine and radiance to your hair.

2. Wash hair with cool water

Hot water can strip colour from hair due to several chemical and physical effects. Hot water can open up the hair cuticles and thereby the dye molecules that have been deposited in the cortex escape more easily, leading to colour fading. The combination of heat and water can accelerate chemical reactions that break down hair dye. Also heat can cause the dye molecules to break down or degrade more quickly.

To maintain hair colour, use lukewarm or cool water while washing coloured hair. Cool water helps to keep the cuticles closed, retains natural oils, and minimizes the loss of dye molecules, thereby preserving the vibrancy of the hair colour for a longer period.

3. Limit washing frequency

The more you wash your hair, the quicker your colour will fade. The best way to maintain hair colour is to wash only twice or thrice a week and skip frequent washing. Washing hair frequently can remove natural oils and lead to the fading of both natural and artificial pigments due to cuticle damage.

4. Use a leave-in conditioner

Leave-in conditioners help to moisturize and protect coloured hair. They keep the hair moist throughout the day, unlike regular conditioners that are rinsed out. This is especially beneficial for coloured hair, as they are more porous and prone to dryness. They often contain ingredients that help detangle hair, making it easier to comb through without breaking.

Leave-in conditioners form a protective layer around the hair shaft, shielding coloured hair from environmental factors like UV rays, pollution, and harsh weather conditions that can cause colour to fade. They often contain proteins and other strengthening agents that repair and protect the hair, making it more resilient to damage.

5. Invest in a quality hair mask

Deep conditioning treatments are essential for coloured hair because they provide intensive moisturization, repair damage, protect colour, and enhance overall hair health. Including these treatments into a regular hair care routine ensures that coloured hair remains vibrant, strong, and beautiful.

Incorporating a weekly hair mask into your hair care routine is a powerful way to rehydrate, restore vitality, and protect the vibrancy of coloured hair. Hair masks help maintain healthy and beautiful strands of hair by deeply hydrating and repairing the hair.

6. Protect hair from heat styling

Heat styling tools, such as hair dryers, flat irons, and curling irons, are used for achieving various hairstyles. But when it comes to coloured hair they can cause colour fading and hair damage. These tools can result in colour fading and damage coloured hair by breaking down the colour molecules and also letting them escape easily.

Including heat protectant sprays or serums into your hair care routine is crucial if you are using heat styling tools. These products help preserve moisture, reduce breakage, maintain colour, and enhance the overall appearance of your hair. By choosing the right product and applying it correctly, you can maintain healthy, vibrant hair even with the regular use of hot styling tools.

7. Minimize sun exposure

UV rays cause colour fading and oxidation in hair by breaking down colour molecules, damaging the hair cuticle, and inducing oxidative stress through the formation of free radicals. Protecting hair from UV exposure is crucial for maintaining vibrant colour and overall hair health. Using UV protective products, wearing physical barriers like hats, and keeping hair well-conditioned are effective strategies to minimise the damaging effects of UV rays.

8. Avoid chlorine and saltwater

Chlorine and saltwater can significantly strip colour and moisture from hair, leading to fading, dryness, and damage. Taking the necessary measures, such as using protective gear, and following a rigorous post-swim care routine, can help mitigate these effects. Regular use of hydrating and conditioning products will maintain the health and vibrancy of your hair, ensuring it remains beautiful and resilient despite exposure to chlorine and saltwater.

Wearing a swim cap and rinsing your hair with fresh water before swimming are both excellent strategies to protect your hair from the damaging effects of chlorine and saltwater. These methods help maintain hair health, prevent colour fading, and reduce dryness.

9. Schedule regular trims

It is advised to trim every 6-8 weeks. This interval is often sufficient to maintain healthy ends and prevent significant damage from spreading.

Regular trims are a crucial part of a hair care routine for coloured hair. They help maintain hair health, enhance its appearance, and ensure that the colour looks vibrant and fresh.

10. Avoid overlapping colour treatments

While colouring hair can enhance its appearance, overlapping colour treatments come with significant risks of over-processing and damage.

Over-processing occurs when hair is exposed to colour treatments involving bleach or high-lift colours. It can weaken the structure of hair and lead to loss of elasticity. Overlapping can also cause cuticle damage and the damaged cuticles in turn result in increased porosity. Frequent colouring can also cause chemical burns and allergic reactions.

Allow sufficient time between colour treatments to let hair recover. This typically means waiting at least 6-8 weeks between full colourings.

11. Opt for low-sulfate or sulfate-free products

Sulfates are a type of surfactant commonly found in many shampoos and other cleansing products. Their strong cleansing action can strip away the artificial pigments that have been deposited in the hair shaft during the colouring process. Sulfates can open the hair cuticle and it becomes easier for colour molecules to escape from the hair shaft, resulting in colour fading. Over-cleansing the scalp can disrupt its natural oil production, sometimes causing the scalp to produce even more oil to compensate for the dryness.

Using sulfate-free shampoos and taking additional steps to protect and hydrate the hair help to maintain the natural moisture balance of their hair. These measures can ensure that hair remains healthy, vibrant, and well-nourished.

12. Rinse hair with apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is naturally acidic, typically with a pH around 3-4. The natural pH of the scalp and hair is slightly acidic, around 4.5-5.5. Using an ACV rinse helps to lower the pH of the hair and scalp, restoring it to its natural acidic state. The acidic nature of ACV helps to flatten and tighten the hair cuticle helping to prevent tangling and breakage.

After shampooing and conditioning, rinse your hair with the ACV mixture. Leave the mixture in for a few minutes before rinsing thoroughly with cool water. This is particularly beneficial for those with colour-treated hair, as it helps maintain vibrancy and helps to keep the colour for a long time.

13. Protect your hair while sleeping

This is one of the common hair colouring tips at home. As you move your head during sleep, your hair rubs against the pillowcase. This constant friction can cause the cuticle, the outer protective layer of hair, to become roughened and lifted. When the cuticle is lifted, it makes it easier for colour molecules to escape from the hair shaft. This results in the accelerated fading of hair colour, especially for vibrant or darker shades.

The friction from rough pillowcases can also weaken the hair structure by causing micro-tears in the cuticle. Over time, these small damages accumulate, leading to weakened hair.

Silk and satin pillowcases provide a smoother surface, significantly reducing friction compared to cotton pillowcases. These materials help to maintain the integrity of the hair cuticle, reducing colour fading and breakage. They also minimize tangles, making hair easier to manage in the morning.

14. Stay hydrated and eat a balanced diet

Hydration and nutrition are crucial for maintaining healthy hair. Adequate hydration keeps hair moisturised, preventing dryness and breakage, while proper nutrition provides the essential building blocks for hair growth and health. By focusing on both external hydration through hair care products and internal hydration and nutrition through diet, you can achieve and maintain beautiful, healthy hair. Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to support overall hydration, including that of your hair and scalp. Include proteins, vitamins, minerals and omega-3 fatty acids in your diet.

In order to colour your hair, it is recommended to visit the best hair salon in Kochi. But in order to take care of your coloured hair, there is no need to visit a salon. Taking care of coloured hair at home involves a combination of protective practices and nourishing treatments to maintain its vibrancy and health. With these treatments you can avoid frequent visits to a salon for hair care. In this blog, we have discussed the common hair colouring tips at home. By following these tips you can extend the life of your colour and keep your hair looking its best.