Have you ever tried to color your hair at home, only for it to go horribly wrong?
Maybe the color didn’t turn out as expected, or your hair became severely damaged in the process.
Now you might be wondering, “How do I keep my color-treated hair healthy?”
Although experimenting with box dye at home is common, hair coloring is a major chemical process that can have a lasting impact on your hair.
In this article, I’ll share six tips to help you maintain beautiful, healthy, color-treated hair.
1) Consult a Professional
Hair coloring is both an art and a science. It’s best to have a licensed professional with experience apply your color.
Visiting a salon for a professional color treatment will usually give you better and safer results than a DIY dye job at home.
2) Follow the Rules
There are specific guidelines for maintaining color-treated hair. If you want to keep your hair healthy and vibrant, it’s important to follow them:
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Avoid layering extreme colors—for example, don’t bleach your hair a few months after doing a jet-black rinse.
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Never relax and color your hair on the same day.
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Avoid washing your hair with scalding hot water, as it can strip moisture and fade color.
Knowing and avoiding these hair color “no-no’s” will help maintain your hair’s health.
3) Keep It Hydrated
To keep color-treated hair looking amazing, you need to use the right shampoos and conditioners.
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Choose a moisturizing shampoo, not a strengthening one. Look for natural ingredients and humectants that keep your hair soft and hydrated.
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Deep condition regularly—ideally once a week—to help prevent dryness and breakage.
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Invest in salon-quality treatments or high-quality at-home products to keep your hair nourished.
Proper hydration will extend the life of your color while keeping your hair soft and healthy.
4) Keep It Strong
Many hairstylists perform a bond-reparative treatment after coloring hair to maintain strength and elasticity.
To keep your hair in its best condition:
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Alternate between hydrating and strengthening treatments based on your hair’s needs.
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If your hair feels dry and brittle, it needs more moisture.
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If your hair feels weak and gummy, it likely needs protein.
Be careful not to overdo protein treatments—too much can make hair stiff and lead to breakage. As a general rule, limit strengthening treatments to once a month.
5) Trim Your Ends Regularly
Color-treated hair is more prone to dryness and breakage. Trimming your ends helps prevent split ends from traveling up the hair shaft, which could lead to even more hair needing to be cut.
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Hair grows about ½ inch per month, so trimming about ¼ inch every 4–6 weeks can help maintain healthy ends.
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If you’re trying to grow your hair and your ends aren’t badly split, you may be able to trim less often—every 3–6 months.
One thing is certain—regular trims keep color-treated hair looking its best. Damaged, ragged ends will take away from the beauty of your color.
6) Be Gentle
All hair deserves TLC, but chemically treated hair requires even more care and attention to stay healthy.
By following these steps, you can enjoy vibrant, healthy, and beautiful color-treated hair—without the damage!