Home Remedies for Color Treated Hair

Hair that is color-treated tends to become dull and loses some of the tint and shine over time. Keeping the hair conditioned and moist will help to maintain the color for as long as possible. There are some mixtures you can concoct at home in your own kitchen that will help you to keep your color-treated hair looking beautiful longer.

Use vinegar to eliminate buildup. Product or pollutant buildup on the hair can make the hair seem dry and dull. By removing the accumulation, you will reveal the underlying color which should be shinier and healthier in appearance. Mix one part vinegar with two parts water for best results. Use a spray bottle to saturate hair with the mixture after a shampoo. Comb through and leave in for at least five minutes for best results. Follow with a shampoo and conditioner.

Mayonnaise is one of the best products you have in your kitchen to help you keep your color-treated hair healthy and shiny. Mayonnaise contains protein from eggs and oils which help to nourish the scalp. It can be applied to the hair after a moisturizing shampoo and combed through using a wide toothed comb. Cover the head with a plastic bag or plastic wrap. Then, apply heat with a blow dryer or moist towels you have put in the microwave for about a minute. Leave on the head for 10 to 45 minutes. Remove, rinse and shampoo again. This will help close the cuticle of the hair and stop the color molecules from escaping. It will also deliver a shot of protein to strengthen and condition the hair.

Olive oil is a great hair conditioner that will help your color to last longer and look more lustrous. Warm 1/16 of a cup of olive oil in the microwave for a few seconds. Apply to the scalp using a color applicator brush, or your fingers. Perform application on the more damaged areas first and then run the oil through the rest of the hair. Give the scalp a massage using your fingertips, applying moderate pressure to work the oil in and increase stimulation. This will give the hair a shine and make the color shimmer. It will also help to close the cuticle of the hair for a healthier glow.

To enhance blond hair color use chamomile tea. Brew 5 to 10 teabags in 3/4 of a cup of water. Let stand, or add four ice cubes, to cool the mixture. Add a teaspoon of lemon juice. Pour mixture into a water bottle and spray the hair until it is saturated. Cover the hair in plastic wrap, or a plastic cap, and allow it to sit for up to 30 minutes. For even brighter results, moisten a towel and heat it in the microwave, then wrap it around the head.

If your hair is very dark, use coffee as a color enhancer. Brew the coffee as you normally would and then let it cool. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and then spray the hair. Comb the coffee through until it is evenly distributed. Leave it on for fifteen to thirty minutes. Repeat if needed for richer results. Rinse and shampoo. Follow with a conditioner to lock in results.

Both carrot juice and beet juice can be used for red hair as a dye enhancer. If you have more of an orange or strawberry-blond, reddish color, use carrot juice. For those with a deeper, more auburn red-tone, use beet juice. Purchase beet or carrot juice in a can or jar. Put into a spray bottle and spray on the hair until saturated. Cover the head in plastic wrap and leave in the hair for up to an hour. Apply heat by dampening a towel, heating it in the microwave for a minute or more if needed, and wrapping around the head to trap the heat. This will allow for deeper color penetration.