You notice it first in the mirror, usually a week or two after colouring. The shine softens, the tone is still present, but not as crisp. The colour hasn't vanished but certainly isn't sitting where it used to. But you can keep that straight from the salon look by finding the best shampoo and conditioner for color treated hair.
The Reality of Colour Treated Hair
After a colour treatment, one thing is for sure: your cuticle has been raised for the pigment to settle inside. This lift is necessary for a successful colour treatment but it's also where the vulnerability begins.
Picture it like this, the cuticle opens and:
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Moisture escapes more easily
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UV exposure breaks down dye molecules.
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Fading is faster under wrong washing conditions.
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Heat and friction simultaneously undo tone
This is perhaps the reason why your colour still fades despite doing everything right. This is where the best shampoo and conditioner for dyed hair come in. No, it doesn't prevent all these from happening; it only slows it. It doesn't overcleanse or strip, just mild enough to stabilise what's already fragile.
Why Regular Shampoos and Conditioners Don't Cut It
Pick a shampoo off any shelf and check the label. It probably contains sulphate and other heavy foaming agents that quickly remove oil. When used on colour treated hair, the harsh surfactants:
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Strip natural oil that would normally slow fading
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Make hair dry, dull and brittle
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Speed the rate of brassiness
Most regular shampoos contain sulphates and this formula is sudsy and increases the rate of colour fading.
What Formula Makes Up the Best Color Protecting Shampoo and Conditioner
Your color safe shampoo and conditioner needs to do more than just mild cleansing. Mild is good but it should also nourish without pulling natural oils along with sweat and dirt. Living under any climate, especially in the UK, where the sun is intense, means your hair is in constant battle with intense heat.
Look for:
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Hydrating ingredients such as extracts from plants
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Sulphate free formulas - ‘sulphate-free’ is a non-negotiable
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Conditioners and shampoos that balance the pH of your scalp
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UV protecting conditioners that act as shields against UV rays.
The Best Shampoo and Conditioner for Color Treated Hair
Many shampoos may claim to be colour safe, but it's not enough for that to be on the label. Based on trials and reviews, is it really colour safe? That should be your concern. The best shampoo and conditioner for your hair after a colour treatment should focus on hydration. While colour protection is a plus, the main thing is for it to be a moisturiser as well.
GK Hair's Moisturizing Shampoo is for both colour treated and normal hair. Its ingredients contain lightweight humectants and plant oils to replenish moisture.
Another thing to look out for is a formula that keeps hair in the slightly acidic pH range. This is especially important because, at this range, the cuticle lies flat and colour doesn't escape. While the shampoo may seem like the focus, the conditioner isn't optional. Skipping conditioner on coloured hair is like washing a glass without rinsing, then leaving it to dry.
We recommend a pair of shampoo and conditioner from GK Hair, so don't just buy a moisturising shampoo, go for the Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner duo. The results are visible and your hair feels healthy.
How Often Should You Wash Colour Treated Hair?
Realistically, there's no universal washing schedule, and anyone who gives you one is only oversimplifying the reality. How often you should wash your hair after a colour treatment should depend on:
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Your hair's texture
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Oil production
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Colour intensity
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Climate and lifestyle
Your Hair's Texture
Those with fine hair may need to do more frequent washing but with a gentle and colour safe formula. 4C hair faces the constant battle of dryness because of its natural bend that prevents scalp oils from flowing down. In this case, hydration is key. But it has to be gentle, otherwise it may snap.
Oil Production
You can hardly control how your hair produces oil, but you can control the oil by adjusting to the right wash frequency and other habits. Both underwashing and overwashing have big impacts on your hair. When you overwash your hair, the grease clears but your hair is thrown off balance. It stimulates more oil production than you can handle.
Underwashing also accumulates oil and your roots become very greasy. Try washing 2 to 3 times a week but space it out. If you don't pay attention to little habits like cleaning your hair brushes, with an oily scalp, you now have to.
Colour Intensity
Colours have contrast and are neutralised by the opposite colour on the wheel. Blondes, brunettes and redheads are different colours with a wide range. For example, blonde hair is likely to turn brassy quickly. A purple shampoo deposits a purple or violet tint that counteracts yellow or orange undertones. Similarly, brown hair, when it starts losing its red-orangey colour, should be matched with a blue shampoo.
As much as selecting the right shampoo is fundamental, a quality conditioner should be in the picture. So, go for a shield conditioner to protect your coloured hair from fading fast along with a purple shampoo like GK Hair Silver Bombshell Shampoo.
Lifestyle and Climate
The climate in London is different from Scotland. Humid days can turn your hair frizzy or even make it freeze (no pun intended) while colder air up north can leave it dry. This is where a good routine matters. GK Hair Balancing Shampoo paired with a smoothing conditioner can help keep frizz under the radar and bring out the vibrancy of your colour.
If you love sports like swimming, your colour is likely going to fade faster if not protected. Even under protection, there are some things you can't control under the water and that ultimately takes a toll on your coloured hair. So, you see, lifestyle and climate determine the fate of your colour.
Are you considering getting a new hair colour? Read the Step-by-Step Guide to Using Juvexin Cream Colour for Stunning Hair Results without damaging your strands.
Wrapping Up
Although there are a number of things that can dictate your colour and how long it lasts, you should consider a good hair care routine. Choosing the best shampoo and conditioner for color treated hair takes care of the quiet reality and struggle of keeping colour treated hair. Get a GK Hair Colour Care Bundle; they're a combo that understands the process of getting dyed hair and what it craves.
