Hair Color After Care: 10 Essential Tips for Maintaining Healthy Locks

If you’ve recently colored your hair, kudos! Whether you’ve gone for a subtle touch-up or a bold, vibrant shade, hair coloring is a fun and expressive way to switch up your look and showcase your personality. 

Of course, you’ll want to enjoy those beautiful tones and hues for as long as possible. But we all know that colored hair needs a little extra attention to stay vibrant and healthy. Without proper care, your fresh color can fade faster than you’d like, and your hair may become dry or damaged. 

To help you get the most out of your new look, here are 10 hair color after care tips to keep your color lasting longer.

1. Use a Color-Safe Shampoo

After coloring your hair, one of the most important things you can do is switch to a shampoo specifically designed for color-treated hair. These shampoos are formulated to be gentle while still maintaining the color. Look for products labeled “color-safe” or “sulfate-free,” as sulfates can strip your hair of its natural oils and color.

If you have thin hair, you’ll want to pay even closer attention. The best shampoos for color-treated fine hair use formulas that add moisture without weighing your hair down. For instance, gentle ingredients like aloe vera and chamomile can keep your hair soft and shiny without compromising volume.

Product Spotlight:

• Aveda's Color Control Light Shampoo is an excellent option, offering a lightweight formula that protects your color and leaves hair feeling soft and shiny. 

• Another great choice is Aveda’s Botanical Repair Strengthening Shampoo, which not only helps preserve your color but also strengthens your hair, leaving it smooth and healthy with the power of plant-based ingredients like sacha inchi, avocado, and green tea.

2. Condition Regularly

When it comes to hair color after care, conditioning is just as important as shampooing. Coloring can leave your hair feeling dry, so choose a conditioner known for its hydrating properties. The best color-treated hair conditioners lock in moisture and protect your hair from fading by sealing the cuticle.

Apply conditioner every time you shampoo, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends of your hair, where it’s most likely to get damaged. You’ll notice your hair feels softer and looks shinier when properly conditioned.

Product Spotlight:

• Try Aveda’s Botanical Repair Strengthening Conditioner. This plant-powered conditioner repairs and strengthens hair from the inside out, making it perfect for color-treated hair. It hydrates deeply while protecting your hair from damage, leaving it soft, shiny, and full of life.

3. Avoid Hot Water

As relaxing as a hot shower might be, hot water is not your friend. Heat can open the hair cuticle, allowing your color to wash out more quickly. 

To preserve your hair color for as long as possible, rinse with lukewarm or cool water. This helps seal the cuticle, holding in your color and leaving your hair smooth and shiny.

4. Limit Heat Styling

Excessive heat styling can weaken your hair and cause your color to fade faster. If you regularly use hot tools like flat irons, curling wands, or blow dryers, consider giving your hair a break or turning down the heat. When you do use heat styling tools, make sure to apply a heat protectant spray to shield your hair from damage.

Air-drying your hair whenever possible is a great option. It’s much gentler on your locks and prevents dryness and breaking.

5. Schedule Regular Trims

To keep your hair healthy and your color fresh, regular trims are a must! Coloring can make your hair more prone to split ends, which travel up the hair shaft and lead to further damage. Scheduling trims every 6-8 weeks helps prevent split ends and keeps your hair looking polished.

Besides improving the overall health of your hair, it will also keep your color looking more uniform.

6. Protect Your Hair from the Sun

Just like your skin, your hair can suffer from sun damage. Prolonged exposure to UV rays can cause your color to fade and make your hair dry and brittle. If you spend a lot of time outdoors, protect your hair by wearing a hat or scarf. You can also use hair products that contain UV filters, which act as a sunscreen for your hair.

7. Use Deep Conditioning Treatments

For colored hair that’s prone to dryness, a deep conditioning treatment is your secret weapon. Using a hair mask or deep conditioner once a week can provide intense hydration and repair damage caused by the coloring process. These treatments penetrate each strand, rebuilding strength and retaining moisture.

Look for treatments rich in nourishing ingredients like argan oil, keratin, and shea butter, which restore softness and shine.

Product Spotlight:

• One great option is the Aveda Botanical Repair Intensive Strengthening Masque. This rich but lightweight treatment is packed with vegan ingredients that deeply hydrate and strengthen your hair. Perfect for color-treated hair, it helps repair the damage from coloring while adding softness and shine without weighing your hair down.

8. Avoid Overwashing

Washing your hair too often can strip it of the natural oils that keep it healthy and hydrated. It can also cause your color to fade faster. Try to wash your hair only 2-3 times a week. In between washes, dry shampoo can be a lifesaver, absorbing excess oil and freshening your hair.

9. Be Gentle with Wet Hair

When your hair is wet, it’s at its most vulnerable. After washing, avoid rough towel-drying, which can lead to breaking and frizz. Instead, gently squeeze out the excess water and pat your hair dry with a soft towel or a microfiber cloth. If you need to brush your hair while it’s wet, use a wide-tooth comb to detangle it gently, starting at the ends and working your way up.

10. Invest in Professional Hair Coloring Services

Lastly, one of the best ways to ensure your color stays vibrant and healthy is to invest in professional hair coloring services. Salons use high-quality products and techniques that are far less damaging to your hair than DIY box dyes. A professional colorist can recommend the best after-care products for your specific hair type and color.

At Canyon River Spa, we use Aveda’s hair color, which is made from 97% plant-based ingredients and enriched with essential oils, providing a gentle, restorative treatment while being environmentally conscious.

By trusting your hair to the pros, you’ll not only get better results, but you’ll also have a healthier foundation for maintaining your color over time.

Easier On Your Hair, Better for Your Bank Account

Your hair color is an investment in your look, and with the right hair color aftercare, you can keep it looking gorgeous and healthy long after you leave the salon. By using the right products and following these 10 tips, you’ll be able to enjoy your beautiful color for longer and spend less money on frequent color appointments. Keep your locks nourished, vibrant, and protected so you can rock your look for months rather than weeks.

Thinking about getting your hair colored, cut, or styled? Book an appointment at Canyon River Spa & Salon today.