Dos and don’ts of hair colouring

Hair colouring is a popular beauty treatment that has been around for centuries. While it can transform your appearance and make you feel confident and stylish, it also requires care and attention. To ensure your hair colour stays vibrant and healthy, it is important to know the dos and don'ts of hair colouring. 

The Dos —

Delay the first wash

 Be it highlights, dip-dye, full colours or under lights, it is prudent to delay the first wash after colouring your hair as much as possible, at least by two days. This is because hair is considerably more fragile after colouring and washing it might have the colour wearing off much more quickly than you like.

Hair masks

Give your hair some much needed TLC before you colour it. A good hair mask will make hair absorb colour better by strengthening and nourishing its strands. Nurturing hair with wholesome masks for health and softness will be beneficial post colouring.

UV protection

Just like skin, coloured hair too can get damaged by the harsh sun, making the colour wear off faster. Protecting hair from UV rays, with the help of hats or hair coverings will go a long way in protecting it from fading away too fast.

Cool water and colour safe dry shampoo

Using hot water to wash hair can strip it of colour and natural oils by opening up its roots. Use cool water to rinse shampoo off hair to maintain its shine and vitality. It is, in fact, much wiser to not over wash hair when it is coloured and instead, use dry shampoo that's suited for coloured hair.

Don'ts —

Not conditioning

Dyeing can dry hair. Therefore, conditioning hair deeply is crucial post a dyeing session to lock in moisture, prevent dullness, and keep hair shiny.

Heating tools

Hair dyes and styling products are harsh on the hair and contain drying agents. Using heating tools such as blow dryers and straitening irons can add to the damage, especially if used without heat protectants. These tools are used at 400 degrees, which can fade hair colour and make it lighter. 

Chlorine water

Hair dyes are chemical solutions and react in different ways when they come in contact with other chemicals such as chlorine, found in swimming pools. Regularly submerging hair in pool water can harm hair, drying it out and fading colour. 

Hair products and scrubbing 

Using hair products such as those containing salts, sulphates and detergents can harm hair, especially after it is coloured. It is, therefore, best to use natural products with non-chemical ingredients on dyed hair. Similarly, dyed hair should never be scrubbed too harshly if hair colour has to be retained. Instead of vigorously rubbing wet hair with a towel, it is best to use a microfibre towel to soak in excess water and then let it air dry.