How to Prevent Hair Color Fading

Some hair dyes fade faster than others, like red, which can turn brassy.

With your last salon visit, you finally hit the jackpot with your ideal hair color. But you know it won't last forever. Whether you color your hair at home using a drugstore product, or visit a stylist to add luster to your locks, color eventually fades. Following some tips before and after you dye can make your color last longer and remain vibrant. Above all, keeping your hair healthy aids in the longevity of the color.

Things You'll Need

• Hair deep conditioner
• Color-enhancing products

Instructions

1. Use a deep conditioning product on your hair several days before visiting the stylist. Deep conditioning fixes damage, such as split ends or overly processed hair. Pre-conditioning your hair also protects it from damage caused by the coloring process. Do not wash your hair for at least twenty-four hours before getting it colored. Washing strips the natural oils from your hair, which help maintain the color. Don't wash your hair for another 24 hours after dyeing it, since shampoo can strip the color.

2. Select the proper shade for your natural color. The more extreme the color change, the more quickly your hair will return to its natural color. Go low-maintenance and avoid frequent touch-ups by using a color just a few shades lighter or darker than your natural hair.

3. Choose the proper type of coloring product. For longer-lasting color, ask your stylist for, or purchase, permanent hair coloring instead of semi-permanent, which purposely fades with repeated washing.

4. Use proper follow-up care after the coloring process. Visit your stylist for root touch-ups. Re-dyeing all the way to the ends too soon strips the hair follicles of moisture. Damaged hair loses color faster than healthy hair. When you color at home, use color-enhancing products, such as shampoos and conditioners, to maintain your color longer. Use these products every time you wash your hair.

Tips & Warnings

• Wash color-treated hair in cool water, which helps it retain a richer color tone. Avoid excessive sun and chlorinated water, which can leave a green tint in lighter-colored hair.

References

• Hair Finder: How to Make Hair Color Last Longer
• Become Gorgeous.com: Prevent Red Hair Color From Fading