The moment you dye your hair, you have to get into a habit of daily maintenance. Colour-treated hair can very fragile and without proper care, it can easily fall off. Dyes contain chemicals that can be very damaging to your hair and the key to less damage is to follow a proper routine.

Wash

Avoid washing regularly and use cool to lukewarm water. A regular wash will fade away the colour very quick while hot water will also contribute to fading away the colour and it damages the hair by leaving your cuticles open. Use sulfate-free shampoo that is specifically made for colour-treated hair. The colour treated shampoos are more gentle and will assist to sustain the colour. Cover your hair when you take a shower and you do not intend to wash it as well. After a wash try to avoid using a hairdryer but if you must use it, do apply a heat protectant to avoid further damage. Use a conditioner made for colour-treated hair after every wash for even better-looking colour and shinier hair.

Moisture and seal

Moisturizing and sealing in the moisture is the priority because hair is now at its porous state. Dyed hair dries out quickly so it needs some added moisture and the correct gentle products. Look out for moisturizer according to the type of hair you have, in that way it can lock in the moisture and keep both your hair and scalp hydrated. Dry hair is more susceptible to damage or breakage. Start investing in leave-in conditioners, moisturize daily and invest in a spray bottle to mist it with water.

Deep treatments

Once in a while or at least once a week you need to do a deep conditioning treatment, even when you use the leave-in conditioner. Deep conditioning is the absolute key to maintaining color-treated hair. Once you dye your hair you can’t really say you going overboard with moisturizing. Introduce the protein treatment in the routine to add strength and shine.

Satin protection

Use a satin bonnet for protection. One may ask why satin? Satin will retain the hair moisture and there will be less breakage and knots. It will also retain the hairstyle for the next day. Satin keeps natural hair in good condition, it is less harsh and a cheaper option than silk. Satin bonnets are actually very cheap but if you have a silk scarf then go silk. What is important is to avoid cotton and to get overnight protection as well.

Tip: Don’t use on dry & damaged hair

• You should never dye your hair if it is dry and damaged i.e. if you suffer from breakage or split ends because it will lead to severe damage.
• To retain the moisture, put less stress on your hair by wearing protective hairstyles and keep moisturizing when styling but importantly manipulate it far less than normal.
• For ingredients, look for those that contain hydrating aloe, shea butter, argan, avocado oil, vitamin E, and jojoba oil.
• Another tip, please take a break from using dyes. Should your hair not hold colour anymore or if it fades away, that’s a sign it has become even more porous.
• Lastly, be sure to buy the correct dye for your hair before you start the whole process, if you enhance your colour with bleach get the right developer. Bleach is much harsher.

**HAIR COLOUR CHANGES ATTITUDES AND SHOWS OFF YOUR MENTAL STATE **