Tired of going through all the hassle of bleaching and dyeing your hair, only to have your Balayage, Ombre and hair colour fade within a week or two? Here are four tips to help maintain and prolong your hair colour:
Minimize UV Exposure
Ever noticed how your stuff changes colour when left in the car? That’s the result of exposure to UV radiation. UV rays generate free radicals that ‘attack’ other molecules, thus changing the structure of these molecules. Our hair is also susceptible to this phenomenon.
In coloured hair, the interaction between free radicals and colour pigments causes the colour to fade. To minimize this, you could apply hair oil or serum before going outdoors, much like how you would apply sunblock to protect your skin. These products typically contain antioxidants and other nutrients to reduce UV damage.
Water Washes Your Colour Away
Shampooing is pretty effective in cleansing and stripping dirt and stains. Sadly, the same applies to colour pigments as well. When washing, these pigments diffuse out via the water medium. This is why brands typically quantify colour lastingness in terms of the ‘number of washes’. We know it is not practical to avoid washing your hair. Perhaps you could consider using dry shampoo or IRIS colour shampoo instead.
Use a Colour Shampoo
If you are not a fan of dry shampoos and would like to retain the sensation of actually washing your hair, you can opt for colour shampoos. There are two types of colour shampoos in the market.
The first kind is like your typical shampoo, but with a mildly acidic pH that typically ranges from 4.5-6.5. This pH closes our hair cuticle, thus reducing the diffusion of colour pigments out from our hair shaft.
Another kind of colour shampoo is even more effective in colour retention. These shampoos contain colour pigments that replenishes lost pigments during the shampooing process and are typically sold as silver shampoo or anti-yellow shampoo. Some brands offer more than just one colour. As for IRIS, our selection includes Violet Blue, Candy Pink, Rose Blue, Silver and Platinum.
Reduce Hair Damage
This might sound obvious, but damaged hair causes our colour to fade more quickly. This is because hair cuticles in damaged hair are usually porous and opened, allowing colour pigments to diffuse out very easily.
One way to reduce hair damage is to bleach as little as possible. This is challenging if you aspire to dye fashion shades. However, with the right techniques and products, it is possible to do so. Drop us an email if you would like to learn more!
Another method is to include treatment products such as conditioners and masks in our hair care regimen. They are usually formulated with moisturizers, vitamins, nutrients and proteins to nourish and repair hair. IRIS Colour Masks are formulated similarly but with an extra kick to revitalize hair colour at the same time.