Hair dye is a great way to showcase your personality, make a statement, or give your style some pop, but what’s the real cost of hair color? Here's the real deal: once you start to color your hair, it can be difficult to put the bottle of dye down, especially once you start to see that color fading. Unfortunately, the more you dye it, the worst it is for your overall hair health. Dying can change the structure of your hair follicles, which leave them prone to breakage and even falling out, unless you do something about it. Here’s how to care for color-treated hair the right way.
Avoid Harsh Chemicals
Historically, harsh chemicals like sulfates have been used to make pungent shampoo that actually causes damage to hair. The first step to taking care of your dyed hair is using a sulfate-free shampoo that still cleans the hair and scalp, but won’t strip it of natural oils and leave it crying out for another wash. This is especially true because dyes often lead to dry hair, a condition that's only exacerbated by sulfates. You'll also want to use a color-safe shampoo. Fortunately, every one of Lu's shampoos and conditioners don’t use sulfates, parabens, phthalates, or colorants that were once commonplace. Instead of harmful products, Lu uses naturally-derived ingredients and Impossible Keratin™, a plant-based keratin formulation that aids damage recovery to build hair strength fast, add shine, and help protect against further hair damage.
Space Out Your Washes
Washing your hair is important to remove grime, unwanted smells, and sweat effectively, but doing it every day can remove too much of your natural hair oil and can leave colored hair looking even more dry and more prone to frizz. Remember, you want to lock in as much moisture as you can to color-treated hair.
Try Co-Washing
Sometimes, you may want to skip the shampoo altogether and reach straight for the conditioner. This is known as co-washing, or "no poo," and can be surprisingly effective for color-treated hair. If you want to give it a try, select your favorite sulfate-free conditioner from Lu, and use it as you would a shampoo. Be sure to spend longer washing it out than regular shampoo before you move onto the next step of your hair care routine. Co-washing still removes dirt from the scalp but can also add more hydration to your hair than stronger shampoos, leading to better moisture retention in color treated hair.
Shampoo the Right Way
After you color your hair, be sure to wait at least 72 hours before your first wash. This gives your hair time to settle and naturally restore oil that has been lost during the process of coloring. When you do shampoo for the first time, reach for a bottle of Lu Rescue Shampoo, which is designed to recover dry, damaged hair. Formulated with shatavari-infused glycerin, it's one of the best shampoos on the market for color-damaged locks, and it works on all hair types. Rescue contains phytonutrients, antioxidants, and vitamins that revive hair visibly and naturally, restoring it back to its best.
Natural Masks
Hair masks are the hair equivalent of face masks. Offering an intense condition, this occasional treat for your hair rejuvenates damaged follicles and leaves your mane looking refreshed. For a homemade mask that really works, mix a lemon with the white of one egg, apply it to your hair and leave for an hour to work its magic. Lemons can balance your hair’s PH levels and contain antioxidants, folic and vitamin C, while eggs are rich in protein and can infuse hair with vitamins and minerals.
Pre-poo
Pre-pooing is when you apply something to your hair before you shampoo to create a protective layer before the shampoo process. This works wonders with colored hair, which needs as much protection as it can get. Avocado oil pre-poo is made using a tablespoon of olive oil, a tablespoon of avocado oil and a few drops of your favorite essential oils. Warm up the mixture, apply it to your hair, and wrap your head with a warm towel for 20 minutes before you hop in the shower and begin your normal routine.
Leave-In Products
Styling cream protects colored hair from damage and locks in moisture. Lu's Intense Therapy Leave-in Cream has potent restorative and emollient properties capable of nourishing your hair back to its natural best. To use, simply scrunch the cream into your hair rather than brushing to give it the bounciest, fullest look.
Cold Showers Can Help
Hot water opens up scalp pores and allows your hair care products to penetrate the follicles effectively, which also makes it easier to remove grime and product buildup. But, when it comes time to rinse it out again, turning down the temperature has been shown to close up hair cuticles to help hair retain moisture long after your shower has ended.
Dry It Right
Leaving your hair to air dry is the best thing to do for colored hair after a shower, but if you’re short on time, make the switch to a bamboo or microfiber towel and wrap your head instead of rubbing it. These specialized towels have densely packed fibers that are made to work with your hair and keep it moist after the shower. If you don’t have a microfiber towel on hand, a t-shirt makes for a handy substitute.
Food For Thought
Look out for foods which contain vitamin A, biotin, vitamin C, iron and zinc, which all play a role in hair growth, repair, and sustainability. In addition to including Lu in your hair care routine, you can add protein to your diet to boost strength and shine, too.
