How to wash dyed hair without losing color – HairstyleCamp
You finally have the hair color of your dreams! You leave the salon feeling confident, ready to show off your new style, and want your hair to stay exactly as it is for the longest period of time possible.
Unfortunately, washing your colored hair along with other factors will cause your color to begin to fade. To get back to that perfect color, you have to sit in that living room chair and go through the repainting process!
While it’s inevitable that colored hair will eventually fade, you can slow down the fading process by keeping your colored hair as long as possible.
One of the main causes of dyed/dyed hair fading is washing it. Of course, I won’t tell you to never wash your hair. This will cause a whole new set of problems! By washing your colored hair the right way, you can make sure your color doesn’t fade quickly.
In this article, we will discuss three suggestions that you can apply when washing your colored hair, so that you can say goodbye to greasy and dirty hair without saying goodbye to your beautiful and precious hair color.
Use the right shampoo to wash colored hair

It’s no secret in the hair world that the shampoo you use has a direct effect on the health and appearance of your hair. In my opinion, everyone should use a quality shampoo, but this is especially true for those with dyed hair.
Use sulfate-free shampoo
If you have dyed hair, it is essential that you choose a shampoo that will not strip your hair of the pigment you apply to it. Many shampoos, and especially lightening shampoos, contain sulfates, which strip the hair of its natural oils, and also cause the hair color to fade quickly.
When choosing a shampoo, look for something that is sulfate-free. Some types of sulfates you may see in the shampoo ingredient list are Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate.
But, what if you need to lighten or deep clean your hair? There are many clarifying shampoos on the market now that do not contain sulfates. They may contain other brightening ingredients such as apple cider vinegar or charcoal. These are safer to use on colored hair.
Choose a “color safe” shampoo.
When you buy a new shampoo, it’s also a good sign when you see the term “color safe” on the bottle. This means that extra care has been taken to make this shampoo gentle and extend the life of your color.
However, don’t be fooled by all the paint safe labels. Some brands may put “color safe” on the bottle, while the shampoo inside still contains sulfates. It’s best to take another look at the ingredients just to make sure the shampoo you choose is indeed color safe.
Note: It is recommended not to wash your hair every day, especially if you have dyed hair. Try to skip at least one day between washes, but try to go longer if you can.
Use a color enhancing conditioner/mask after washing colored hair

After shampooing your hair, it is essential to maintain it, especially if your hair is colored or otherwise chemically processed. While a simple, high-quality conditioner will moisturize your hair, it does nothing to improve its color.
Therefore, if you want to give your hair an extra boost of color and slow down the fading process, I recommend you use a color enhancing conditioner or mask.
What exactly is a color enhancing conditioner/mask? Simply put, it is a conditioner with a small amount of pigment in it. When you apply it to your hair, this pigment coats your hair and refreshes your color.
A color enhancing conditioner does not contain the elements of permanent hair color that open the cuticle of the hair, so it does not damage your hair. It just adds a little “oomph” to your existing color.
Color-enhancing conditioners/masks come in a variety of shades, from subtle mocha, gold or copper, to vibrant pinks, blues and greens. And, they can be purchased online or at a salon or beauty supply store.
Before using the conditioner/mask, be sure to read the instructions for that specific product. Generally, they are intended for use once a week or two weeks. If you shampoo your hair once a week, that’s perfect! You can just apply it every time you shampoo your hair!
If you wash your hair more times during the week, you can replace your color enhancing conditioner/mask with your regular conditioner.
If you use a color safe shampoo and color enhancing conditioner, you might be surprised how long your color lasts!
Rinse and rinse the dyed hair with cool water

I simply cannot emphasize this point enough. If you want your color to last as long as possible, it is important not to wash and rinse your hair with hot water.
As someone who loves to take boiling hot showers, I have to force myself to turn the heat down before it touches my hair, but it is so worth it.
but why? The reason why you should avoid washing and/or washing your hair with hot water is because hot water opens the cuticle or the outer barrier of the hair. Imagine your strand of hair as a house, and the color as the nice and crisp air conditioning inside the house.
During the hot summer months, you want to keep as much of that cool air conditioning in your home as possible.
But, if someone walked around and opened all the doors and windows, the precious cold air would escape, and the warm outside air would replace it.
It’s the same with your hair! If you open all the windows and doors, or your hair cuticle, you leave the hair core vulnerable, and just like the cool air in an air-conditioned house, some of that precious color is going to wash right out.
Cool water, on the other hand, does not open the hair cuticle. That’s why I suggest pouring your hair with lukewarm/cold water and washing the conditioner with cold/cold water.
It may take some getting used to, especially if you’re like me and love steaming hot showers, but your hair color will stay alive so much longer if you do.
In conclusion
When you leave the salon with the perfect hair color, you want to keep it that way for as long as possible! One of the best ways to ensure this is by following the suggestions in this article for properly washing your colored hair.
With the right products and methods, you can prevent your hair from losing its precious color, and you can maintain vibrant hair week after week.
Main things you should know:
- Use a sulfate-free shampoo to wash your dyed hair.
- Don’t shampoo your hair every day. Try to skip at least a day between washing.
- Use a color enhancing conditioner/mask to enhance your hair color.
- Rinse and rinse your hair with cool water.