Long Lasting Color - Get the Most Out of Your Hair Dye

Condition before you color.

Well conditioned hair holds color longer, so give yourself a deep conditioning treatment 3 days prior to coloring your hair and then another 10 to 14 days after. To avoid color "leakage" be certain to allow at least 10 days to pass before you deep condition your hair with a heat source. A 10 day waiting period will give the color a sufficient amount of time to bond with the hair's structure.

Avoid shampoos with sulphates.

Sulphates are chemical additives that create lather and a lot of bubbles. These bubbles also remove a great deal of your hair color and strip hair of it's natural oil, so it's best to avoid them. The use of a sulphate free shampoo will preserve & prolong the life of your hair color. Look for a shampoo that is labeled either "SLS Free"or "Sulphate Free".

Limit the number of times you shampoo.

Unless you're working in an environment where your hair will be exposed to a lot of dust or dirt, you probably don't need to shampoo your hair every day. If you feel the need to wet your hair every day, consider doing a thorough rinse without any shampoo. Wet your hair thoroughly and allow the water to rinse away any debris on the hairs surface. After your hair is thoroughly saturated, gently squeeze out the excess water and then apply your daily conditioner. Start at the ends, where the hair is oldest and in need of the most nourishment. Avoid putting any conditioner directly on your scalp. Do this at the beginning of your shower, securing your hair at the top of your head with a butterfly clip or two. This will allow the conditioner to thoroughly coat your hair as you continue on with your shower. Rinse the conditioner out and be sure to let the water run over your back to remove all traces of conditioner from your skin. That last step is especially important if you suffer from "bacne" (acne that occurs on your back). Residue left over from conditioner is often the main cause of skin irritation on the back and shoulders. Whenever you're in the shower, remember not to stand underneath the shower head: You should only allow the water to flow through your hair to rinse away dirt, prepare for shampooing or to rinse out conditioner.

Avoid hair dryers for the first week after coloring.

Remember, heat will open the hair's cuticles. Each time you heat your hair, the cuticles on each strand lifts or "opens". When that happens, the color has a chance to "run" out. If you absolutely must use a blow dryer remove as much excess water as possible by gently blotting hair with an absorbent towel. This will decrease the amount of time and heat needed to dry your hair. An air diffuser will also lessen the damaging effects of heat to the hair and preserve your color as well.

Use sunscreen.

The components and nutritional needs of skin and hair are VERY closely related. You already know how crucial it is to protect your skin from damaging UV rays. You should also make it a habit of using sunscreen on your hair. Daily use of a sunscreen is an excellent way to protect your hair from harmful UV rays. It will also help preserve your color by preventing the sun from bleaching it. Look for a leave in conditioner that contains Cinnamate, one of the best natural sunscreens for hair. Shea butter is another great conditioner for ALL hair types: It's nourishing and it has UV blocking properties.

Protect your hair while washing your face.

Finally, get yourself a headband and use it in the evenings when you wash your face at the sink. This will keep your facial cleanser away from your roots and preserve the color at the edges of your hair.

If you are looking for all natural, sulphate free hair products, please take a look at the Phat Head Collection and see which products are right for you!