Styling dyed hair

Styling dyed hair

Having the ability to change the colour of our hair can give us a whole new outlook on life. It can promote a feeling of rejuvenation, of getting ready to face new challenges. In practical terms, however, although applying dye to your hair will provide an instant shine, it also damages hair. It will dry hair and the colour can fade, even after just a matter of days. So here are the steps you should be taking to minimize the nastier side-effects of having just altered your natural hair colour.

The crucial consideration is the shampoo that that you use. What you want to do is to switch between one shampoo that is enriched with natural pigments, and another that is specifically aimed at dyed hair. The latter is likely to have an intense repair formula.

On a fortnightly basis, set aside some time to apply a hydrating mask. Because hair that has been dyed is often fragile, you must re-establish your hair's natural water balance (also known as its re-hydration rate). The products that will achieve this are enriched in what are known as natural emollients. What it all boils down to is the fact that the more hydrated your hair happens to be, then the more intense the colour will be.

Once you have applied rehydrating mask the final step you should be taking is to apply a protective milk. Make sure that this is not rinsed out of the hair. This will protect your hair, not only from the heat blast of the hairdryer as you apply it, but also from calcium in the water. Look upon calcium as the nemesis of coloured hair!

Another aspect of treating dyed hair that cannot be overstated, is that you can never nourish it enough. As has already been stated, died here, although it can look tremendously vivacious, it can dry out quickly. To counter this, what you really need to be doing regularly is to apply nutritive creams. Don't be afraid to apply these creams throughout the lengths of your hair, from the scalp to the tips.

Of course, one of the most disappointing aspects of changing your hair colour is the fact that it is only ever a temporary measure. Just as you are getting used to the fabulous new colour scheme, it begins to fade, seemingly within matter of weeks. The important point here is that you shouldn't be disappointed with the colour. Neither should you be overly concerned with your dyed hair if it looks as if it is losing its sheen. Dealing with dyed hair is a sensitive business. You don't want to go through the whole process again too quickly. So even if you find yourself glaring into the mirror at every opportunity, your fingers itching to speed-dial your hairdresser to book another dyeing appointment, try and resist this urge. If you can have the patience to wait at least four weeks before returning to the salon to have your hair redone, then the finished job will do far less damage to your hair (since it has had that extra time to rejuvenate in the interim period).