7 Ways To Stop Hair Color From Fading
Let’s say you just got your hair colored, WOOHOO! But before you go on with your normal day-to-day routines, keep in mind that some of those daily routines may be fading your hair color. In this post I’ll explain 7 ways to stop your hair color from fading too quickly.
How can I stop my hair color from fading?
I want to start off by saying that you can’t completely stop your color from fading. Even though it may be “permanent” hair color, it will still always fade. BUT, that being said, the amount of time it lasts before it fades is dependent on a number of factors.
- Shampoo as infrequently as possible
- Use professional quality color protect shampoo
- Use cold water when you shampoo
- Coloring shampoos and conditioners
- Keep your hair out of the sun, pool, and ocean
- Avoid using heat tools
- Keep your colored hair healthy
***Since I’m sharing the products that I love to use with you guys, this page includes affiliate links to these products. If you take action and purchase a product through clicking one of my links, I’ll make some commission money from it at no extra cost to you. This enables me to be able to continue giving you awesome hair tips, so thanks! ***
1. Wash your hair less to prolong haircolor
Every time you shampoo your hair you are causing fadage and reducing the color longevity. When you use shampoo, the color molecules are gradually washed away with the dirt and oils present in your hair. This causes your hair color to lighten up and dull out.
Depending on the color, it may lighten up significantly each and every time you shampoo it. Reds and bright hair colors have a very large color molecule and cannot penetrate the hair strand as well as more natural colors do. This means that it’s easier for brighter and more vibrant colors to fade out of your hair with each shampoo.
You’ll want to do your best to go as long as possible between each shampoo to extend the fading process. Check out my post on how often to wash your hair for my tips to help you go longer between washing.
Using a dry shampoo can be life changing for this topic. It helps you push washing your hair several days further by absorbing oil and neutralizing any odor. If you’d like to read more about the benefits of dry shampoo check out my post here, and you can pick up my favorite dry shampoo by Amika here.
2. Use professional quality, color protect shampoo to slow color from fading
Using quality products is a MUST when the goal is to extend your hair color longevity. I cannot stress this enough.
When you pay a pretty penny to have your hair colored, you should do everything in your power to make that color last as long as possible. This is why it makes no sense to use cheap products on expensive hair. That would be like using great value ketchup or ranch dressing on a 5 star gourmet meal.
The video below shows the difference between low and high quality shampoos, after just ONE shampoo. Check out what a difference! All of these shampoos claim to be color safe. It is clear that the professional shampoo (Pureology) held up the best.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B3KTZ1hApRj/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet
Professional brands are either sold or recommended to you by a licensed professional. Sally’s does not carry professional brands.
Get your products from your hairstylist directly, or in my posts I’ve included links to my favorite brands that are sold through Amazon.
Check out my post on brands that I recommend here.
3. Use cold water to avoid fading hair color
If you’re washing your hair in the shower, make sure you use cool water on your hair! For maximum hair color longevity and for bright and vivid colors, I recommend not washing your hair in the shower at all. I know, shocker right?!
Even if you use cold water while rinsing your hair, the steam and heat from the warm water will open up the outer layer of your hair and pull your color right out.
It’s the same thing that happens when you steam your face before washing it to cleanse deep inside your pours. You don’t want to do that to freshly colored hair.
It’s best to shampoo in cold water before you even get into the shower, and then after your hair is clean and conditioned, wrap it up and take a nice warm shower. Try not to let warm water run through your hair at all.
4. Coloring shampoos and conditioners will extend the life of your hair color
If your hair is one solid color, you can use a coloring shampoo or conditioner to add the color to your hair every time you wash. These are great because your hair actually gets more vibrant the more you shampoo, and you no longer need to wash in cold water! WOO HOO!
Celeb Luxury makes 2 lines, gem lites Colorwash and Colorditioner which are more-so natural colors. And viral Colorwash and Colorditioner which are vivid and fantasy colors.
Keep in mind that you DO NOT need to use both the shampoo AND conditioner in this line, only one is necessary. I prefer to use the conditioner as a treatment and leave them on for 15 minutes or so to get a combined conditioning treatment AND toner at the same time! Multi-tasking at its finest. If your hair is one solid color, this is hands down your best option for extending your hair color longevity!
5. Keep your hair out of the sun, pool, and ocean to stop the color from fading
Unfortunately summertime comes with activities that aren’t the greatest for our hair. The sun, pool, and the ocean all cause fadage and will significantly reduce your hair color longevity. Now, I’m not telling you to be a hermit and stay inside all summer, I’m just saying to take extra precaution when you’re outside.
Not only will the sun fade your color, but it is damaging to your hair as well. Always use a UV protectant and try to cover your hair in a hat or hair wrap. Never lay out with your hair exposed! I’ll lay a small towel or shirt over my hair while laying by the pool.
If you cant avoid getting it wet in the pool or ocean, then make sure you douse it in conditioner before going in, and shampoo it as soon as possible afterwards. The UV protectant I mentioned earlier works as a leave in conditioner, UV protectant, and also minimizes chlorine damage. It is my ultimate go-to for summertime.
If you’d like to learn more about how to care for your hair in the summer months, check out my post here.
6. Avoid using heat tools to prolong hair color
Probably the most over-looked habit that fades hair color is using heat tools on it excessively. This is the most important topic on this post and probably the least talked about.
Heat in general is not good for your hair, especially your hair color. Watch this video of guy tang pulling color directly out of freshly colored hair with a flat iron! It’s crazy to see it happen before your eyes.
Now I’m not saying you have to stop using heat on your hair all together. You just need to be cautious and aware of what can happen if you aren’t careful.
Always use a heat protectant and TURN YOUR IRONS DOWN. Check out my guide to heat tools here for tips and temperature recommendations based on your hair type.
7. Keep your hair healthy to stop the color from fading
Damaged hair does not hold on to hair color very well. If you’ve read my post on hair types, then you know that the hair has 3 layers. When the outer layer gets damaged, it cannot protect the second layer which contains the color molecules.
The longevity of your hair color will be much shorter on damaged hair. Color can come immediately out of porous or over-processed hair. It’s crucial to do regular conditioning treatments to ensure it stays in its best condition.
My post here on maintaining long and healthy hair is full of helpful tips on how to keep your hair in its best condition to stop your hair color from fading fast!
Conclusion
Extra precautions should be taken after getting your hair done to stop hair color from fading.
Unfortunately, every time you wash your hair the color will fade a little bit. Because of this, it is best to wash your hair less often. Try to push it as long as you can by using dry shampoo in-between washes.
When you do wash your hair, you should always use professional grade color protect shampoo and conditioner. These shampoos are designed to gently cleanse the hair without pulling the color out. A low quality color protect shampoo will not work as well because they contain harsher chemicals that cause fading.
On top of using a good shampoo, it’s best to use as cold of water as you can take. Either rinse your hair with cool water, or for optimal results wash it in very cold water before the shower. You can then wrap it up and take a nice warm shower.
Another option is to use a color-toning shampoo or conditioner. This will help you to skip the cold water. These are good for all over hair colors. They deposit color as they wash/condition your hair. They are great to use in-between hair appointments.
On another topic, be mindful of your hair color in the summertime. The pool, ocean, and sun all will drastically fade your hair color. Keep your hair covered from the sun as much as possible, and try to avoid it getting wet in pools and the ocean. You will likely need your color done immediately after a weekend at the beach, even if you just got it done.
When styling your hair, keep in mind that heat tools will fade your hair color. Try to avoid heat styling as much as possible. And when you do, make sure to use thermal protectants and keep the temps turned down to the lowest possible setting.
The most important tip is to keep your hair healthy. Damaged hair will not hold on to hair color very well. And besides, what does the color matter if the hair itself is in bad shape?
If you have any questions, leave them for me in the comments. As always, Have A Good Hair Day!
Last updated 02/20/2023
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