Hair coloring today is a standard procedure, which most women and some men turn to in pursuit of a new desired image.
To make a new hairstyle delighting you with a bright and rich color longer, and to make sure that the hair structure does not deteriorate from exposure to the dye, several important tips for caring for dyed hair should be followed. Among the main factors affecting the health of your dyed hair – hair shampooing.
First shampooing after dyeing
First and foremost – it is fine to wash your hair right after dyeing it, and there is no need for waiting any specific time for that. But what is important to know is that you must not wash your hair with an ordinary shampoo. For this purpose, a special shampoo, called color stabilizer, which has a special composition and completes the chemical reaction in the hair cortex, fixing the pigment in its depth, should be used. It is recommended to use the usual everyday shampoo for washing hair not earlier than 48 hours after dyeing.
After dyeing your hair, it is recommended to use in everyday life a shampoo for colored hair, and to wash the colored hair once per 2-3 days to avoid excessive hair drying.
Wash dyed hair with a proper water temperature
One of the most common shampooing mistakes, regardless or the type and health state of hair is using too hot water. It is important to remember that the optimum temperature for the everyday hair washing is 35-37 degrees.
Talking specifically about rinsing the dye right after the coloring procedure, it is important to use water of around the room temperature, to close the hair cuticle, sealing the pigment inside. Too cold water will simply not wash the scalp properly, while water of above 38 degrees may dry hair.
Choose sulfate-free shampoo
The choice of shampoo composition for washing dyed hair plays a significant role. The main component of almost every mass market shampoo nowadays, that helps to get rid of dirt, but at the same time damages hair, is surfactants, or sulfates. Among them, sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) and sodium laureth sulfyl (SLS) are used most often. To not turn washing into torture for colored hair, choose shampoos that do not contain these substances. In fact, there are many products on the market that contain a component with similar features but of natural origin – sodium coco sulfate (SCS).
Choosing the right mask and conditioner
In general, the use of conditioners for colored hair is mandatory, because they help smoothing the loosened cuticle of the hair. When dyeing, the chemical composition raises its scales, through which in the future the pigment will be washed out many times faster. The conditioner covers the upper cuticular layer of each hair, so the pigment, along with nutrients, is sealed inside. The best choice would be to use conditioners specifically intended for dyed hair. But it is worth noting, that masks and conditioners containing oils and alcohol should be avoided, since such formulations wash out the dye and displace moisture from the hair.
Leave in hair care
To quickly restore strands damaged by the chemical effect of the dye, do not neglect additional moisturizing in the form of leave-in agents (sprays, creams, mousses). They should be usually applied to clean, damp hair before styling, thus protecting each hair from the harmful effects of external factors. Again, please remember that oils are not beneficial for colored hair and could be applied strictly only to the hair ends.
FAQ
How soon can I wash my hair after coloring?
With a color stabilizing shampoo – you can do that right after coloring, with a usual everyday shampoo – not earlier than in 48 hours.
How often can I wash my dyed hair?
The less often the better. More specifically, for oily scalp – every other day, for normal or dry – once per 3-4 days.
Can I use conditioner after coloring?
This is not only possible, but necessary! The main thing is to choose the right product suitable for colored hair. It should not contain alcohol and oils, which wash out the dye and dry the hair.
Do I need to wash my hair before dyeing?
It is not recommended to wash your hair immediately before dyeing, as in this case you remove the fat layer that protects the scalp from irritation from chemical exposure. The exception is professional deep cleaning shampoos that loosen the cuticle so that the dye can penetrate deeper into the hair.
