Spending all that time and money at the salon is always worth it when you walk out with a fresh new color. But unfortunately, nothing lasts forever – even professionally dyed hair.

While professionally dyed hair typically lasts anywhere from four to six weeks (give or take a few), there are some steps you can take to ensure your color lasts as long as possible. “Maintaining your color at home really starts as soon as you walk out of the salon,” says Heather Etchiso, Salon Glow hairstylist. Here’s what you can do to keep your hair color from fading, according to stylists.

Don’t shampoo for two full days after coloring
“The cuticle of your hair takes two full days to shut down, even with the use of neutralizers,” says colorist Lindsay Loo. You want to make sure the color is trapped in there before you do anything to it.

The less shampoo you use, the better
According to Loo, color oxidizes, so the more often you shampoo, the more likely it is to fade and turn brassy. If that’s not the tone you’re going for, you should aim for washing your hair about two to three times a week.

Stay away from products that contain harsh ingredients
In order to make your hair color last, it’s important to keep it moisturized. Using products that contain sulfates dries the hair out, which makes it harder for your hair to hold on to color. “To be proactive, it’s important to use good professional products that don’t have sulfates,” says Gina Rivera, hair expert and founder of Phenix Salon Suites. Products that contain collagen, biotin, and vitamin B can help to keep your hair healthy and hydrated.

Protect your hair from the sun
One of the most crucial ways to protect your hair color by wearing a hat or a scarf when you’re spending a good amount of time in the sun. Licensed cosmetologist Hollee Wood also recommends hair products that contain UV protection. “My favorite is Bumble and bumble. Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Heat/UV Protective Primer,” she says. “It protects and smooths the hair without weighing it down.”

Always rinse your hair after going for a swim
It’s especially important to take extra care of your hair during the summer months if you want the color to last. As celebrity hairstylist Paul Labrecque says, “Sun, chlorine, and salt can all cause the color to oxidize and fade rapidly, especially when you’re exposed to all three at once. They impact your strands in a similar way that bleach does.” Be sure to rinse your hair after a swim, regardless of whether you’re in the ocean or a pool. If you’re at the beach, Labrecque recommends taking a few liters or regular water with you. That way, you can immediately wash any salt out of your hair.

Wash your hair with cool water
One of the biggest mistakes people make after getting their hair dyed is washing with hot water. According to Chaz Dean, celebrity hairstylist and founder of WEN®, this opens the cuticle, releases the color, and then sends that color right down the drain. “[Washing will cool water] will keep the cuticle closed and help prevent water from entering the hair shaft where it strips the color,” Dean says.

Schedule a toner or gloss six weeks after you get your hair colored
“Natural colors fade and need refreshing just like a nail appointment,” says celebrity stylist, Kendall Dorsey. This is something you want to consider doing, especially if you got your hair done at the salon.

xx, The FabFitFun Team