Coloring hair has become increasingly common among women lately, whether it’s to change up their look or simply to follow the latest trend. If you’re someone who colors your hair often, it’s worth getting into a more intensive care routine, since the chemicals in hair dye typically come with some downsides for hair health.
To repair hair damaged from coloring, there are plenty of products readily available. But to minimize additional chemical exposure on your hair, you can follow the steps below. They’re not just chemical-free, they’re also easy on your wallet.
Wash Your Hair with Cold Water and Use a Specialized Shampoo
Some people love washing their hair with warm water, since it tends to feel more relaxing after a long day. But if you have colored hair, it’s better to use cold water when washing. Beyond helping the nutrients and vitamins in the hair shaft and scalp absorb properly, cold water also helps keep hair color from fading too quickly. Along with cold water, use a shampoo or conditioner specifically formulated for colored hair, since regular shampoo tends to make hair color fade faster.
Use a Hair Vitamin After Washing
Hair vitamins aren’t just recommended for colored hair, even natural hair benefits from them. For colored hair specifically, use a vitamin or serum formulated for color-treated hair to keep it properly nourished and help the color last longer. You can apply the vitamin right after washing, while hair is still half-dry, so it absorbs more easily. Let your hair dry fully before combing it. Avoid making a habit of combing wet hair, since this can leave it dry and prone to breaking.
Avoid Heat Styling Tools During the Recovery Process
Colored hair tends to be more fragile, and styling it with a hair dryer, flat iron, or other heat tools can make things worse. Not something you want if you’re trying to avoid a look ruined by damaged, split, breakage-prone hair, right? If you really need to style with these tools, you can minimize the effects by using a serum specifically formulated to protect hair from heat. That said, even with a protective serum, it’s still strongly recommended to avoid heat styling tools whenever possible.
Use a Hair Mask
You can use any of the widely available hair masks that are easy to find. Look for a hair mask formulated specifically for colored hair, or use a mask made from natural ingredients like olive oil, honey, avocado, coconut oil, and other ingredients known to support hair health. Olive oil contains nutrients that are great for hair. You can apply olive oil evenly to the scalp and every strand of hair, then gently massage it in so it absorbs well, and leave it on for about 20 to 30 minutes. After that, rinse thoroughly. Use it regularly for soft, shiny hair. You can also mix olive oil with avocado to make a mask, since both contain vitamin E, which is great for nourishing hair damaged by heat or sun exposure.
Drink More Water
Beyond external care, you can help keep your hair healthy by drinking more water. Besides being good for your overall health, water helps boost the natural vitality of your skin and hair roots. The hair root is one of the ways hair absorbs moisture. A lack of hydration in hair will leave it dry and brittle.