KEEP YOUR COLOR – TIPS FOR MAKING YOUR HAIR DYE LAST

“I read in a magazine that there are salons now where you can get your hair colored with natural eco-friendly dye. Do you think that’s better than the color you get in normal salons?”

I am having an early Thai feast with my man and our friend, J.P. A brilliant make-up artist, naturalist, and vegan, J.P. seems the perfect person to ask whether or not it is time for my color to join the green movement and go “natural.” Besides, she has long, gorgeous hair and her color is always perfect.

“That’s just the marketing rage, these days,” she says with a sigh. “Everything has to be green and organic. But, no, I wouldn’t bother. The natural dyes are hennas and limited in color. Plus they don’t last as long.”

“What about the chemicals in hair color,” I ask. “My next door neighbor swears her mom got cancer from dying her hair too often.”

“All the cancerous stuff they took out of dyes in the early ’80s,” J.P. says as she brushes her long locks back over her shoulder. “Look, I only dye my hair 4 times a year and that won’t hurt you.”

From my dinner with J.P, I learned that when hair is colored less frequently, exposure to harmful chemicals and the risk of cancer is also reduced. So, it is in our interest, dear readers, to do what we can to make our color last until better natural dyes are produced.

TIPS FOR MAKING YOUR HAIR COLOR LAST

1. SHAMPOO ONLY WHEN YOU ABSOLUTELY NEED TO
Washing your hair with shampoo is the fastest way to make your color fade. Each shampoo strips hair of color, which is why if you goof on your hair color and make it too dark, stylists recommend washing it with shampoo until the lighter color you want is achieved. Avoid shampooing, and just rinse your hair with conditioner, which will “wash” your hair and strengthen it from any chemical damage.

2. IF YOU MUST SHAMPOO, USE A COLOR SHAMPOO
Shampoo manufacturers have created shampoos specifically for color treated hair. Pantene’s line is nice and inexpensive. Just pick out the shampoo that matches your color (blonde, red, brunette) and make sure to throw away your other color-stripping shampoos.

3. USE A COLOR CONDITIONER AT LEAST TWICE A WEEK
As I have written before, because my hair is very dry and curly, I NEVER wash my hair except when I am at the salon getting it colored or cut. I do, however, alternate conditioners when I shower. I love Pantene’s line color conditioners and have had excellent results with their line for red hair. I put the conditioner in as soon as I get in the shower and leave it in until I am about to get out. After I towel-dry, I add some moisturizing conditioner into my hair to style it, and my color stays.

4. ONLY COLD/WARM WATER SHOULD TOUCH YOUR HAIR
Hot water is another great enemy to your color. Avoid hot water at all costs as it strips and damages hair. Try rinsing your hair in cold water for a week and see how much shinier, well-moisturized and strong it becomes.

5. CONDITION YOUR HAIR BEFORE SWIMMING IN CHLORINATED WATER
Summer is a tough time for chemically-treated hair. Swimming in chlorinated water will strip your color faster than you can read this sentence. In order to protect it, before you enter the pool, run conditioner through your hair and tie it in a bun (if your hair is short, just run conditioner through it.) The conditioner will “seal” your hair and protect it from the chlorine. Make sure to rinse with fresh water as soon as you are done swimming.

6. SUNLIGHT DAMAGES COLOR, TOO
Make sure to wear sun hats to cover your hair on sunny days, as direct sunlight can strip hair color. You may want to use a hair masque product with SPF to protect your color, too.

And, of course, if you really want to avoid the chemicals in hair dye and make your natural color last as long it can, just don’t color your hair… But that’s not so fun, now, is it?

XOXOXOXO
THE HEALTHY FOX