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 \u2013 even professionally dyed hair.<\/p>\n
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. \u201cMaintaining your color at home really starts as soon as you walk out of the salon,\u201d says Heather Etchiso,\u00a0Salon Glow<\/a> hairstylist. Here\u2019s what you can do to keep your hair color from fading, according to stylists.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t shampoo for two full days after coloring<\/strong> The less shampoo you use, the better<\/strong> Stay away from products that contain harsh ingredients<\/strong> Protect your hair from the sun<\/strong> Always rinse your hair after going for a swim<\/strong> Wash your hair with cool water<\/strong>
\n\u201cThe cuticle of your hair takes two full days to shut down, even with the use of neutralizers,\u201d says colorist Lindsay Loo<\/a>. You want to make sure the color is trapped in there before you do anything to it.<\/p>\n
\nAccording to Loo, color oxidizes, so the more often you shampoo, the more likely it is to fade and turn brassy. If that\u2019s not the tone you\u2019re going for, you should aim for washing your hair about two to three times a week.<\/p>\n
\nIn order to make your hair color last, it\u2019s 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. \u201cTo be proactive, it\u2019s important to use good professional products that don\u2019t have sulfates,\u201d says Gina Rivera, hair expert and founder of Phenix Salon Suites<\/a>. Products that contain collagen, biotin, and vitamin B can help to keep your hair healthy and hydrated.<\/p>\n
\nOne of the most crucial ways to protect your hair color by wearing a hat or a scarf when you\u2019re spending a good amount of time in the sun. Licensed cosmetologist Hollee Wood<\/a> also recommends hair products that contain UV protection. \u201cMy favorite is\u00a0Bumble and bumble. Hairdresser\u2019s Invisible Oil Heat\/UV Protective Primer<\/a>,\u201d she says. \u201cIt protects and smooths the hair without weighing it down.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nIt\u2019s 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<\/a> says, \u201cSun, chlorine, and salt can all cause the color to oxidize and fade rapidly, especially when you\u2019re exposed to all three at once. They impact your strands in a similar way that bleach does.\u201d Be sure to rinse your hair after a swim, regardless of whether you\u2019re in the ocean or a pool. If you\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n
\nOne of the biggest mistakes people make after getting their hair dyed is washing with hot water. According to Chaz Dean<\/a>, celebrity hairstylist and founder of WEN\u00ae<\/a>, this opens the cuticle, releases the color, and then sends that color right down the drain. \u201c[Washing will cool water] will keep the cuticle closed and help prevent water from entering the hair shaft where it strips the color,\u201d Dean says.<\/p>\n