Tips to Prevent Hair Colour Fading

Do Not Wash Hair
Do not wash your hair for at least 24 hours before dying. The natural oils help protect your scalp from the chemicals in the dye and help the colour cling to the hair better. Your hair doesn't have to be greasy, just not perfectly clean.

Deep Condition
Deep condition your hair a few weeks before dying. Dry hair does not let the colour cling. However, don't condition your hair too soon before dying since the conditioner will act as a barrier & prevent the colour from clinging.

During Dying

Heat
While the dye is in your hair blow it with hot air using a hair dryer. The heat help open the hair shaft to let the dye molecules penetrate deeper. If your hair is resistant to dye or if you are dying it red you could put a shower cap or tinfoil over your hair to improve the heat process.

Dry Hair
Dye applied to dry hair clings better. Having wet hair can dilute the colour and prevent the molecules from clinging well. You are told to wet your hair before swimming so they have a barrier to prevent the chemicals in the water from damaging it. Think the same for chemicals in dye. Apply dye to dry hair.

After Dying

Wait Before Washing
Wait at least 2-3 days after dying your hair to wash it. If you wash it too soon it will strip the colour out and the fading will start. Preferably, wait 5 days before washing your hair to give the colour plenty of time to settle in. If you don't want to wait this long then wait at least 48 hours.

Shampoo
Shampoo will strip the colour from your hair faster. Wash your hair less often; every other day at the most, 2 or 3 times a week is ideal. Instead of washing your hair with shampoo just rinse it with water. For when you do shampoo, use once for coloured hair. One specifically for your hair colour is most ideal. Some shampoo for specific hair colours has colour molecules in it to help top up the colour. You can also use talcum power (best on blonde hair) to clear grease from the roots.

Conditioner
Condition your hair often. Conditioner seals the hair shaft to keep the colour in. Conditioned hair keep colour much better than dry hair. Again, like shampoo use conditioners specifically for your colour hair. Using an intensive conditioner for coloured hair once a week can also help. Find a conditioner which is also a 'revitalizer' for your hair colour. There are also 'light' leave-in conditioners which you can use daily before styling your hair to add extra condition and strength to your hair. Avoid hot oil treatments. These can strip the colour from your hair.

Temperature
Wash hair with cold water. Hot water opens the hair shaft and allows the colour molecules to escape. Warm water does the same but is not as bad as hot. Cold water may not be ideal but it improves the lifespan of the colour and makes hair shinier.

Lock
Buy a colour lock to use after washing your hair to keep the colour sealed in. This prevents the colour from fading and adds extra condition. Like shampoo and conditioner, you can get locks for coloured hair in general and for specific colours. Try and get one made for your hair colour.

Top Up
Top up the colour with a glaze. John Frieda has a glaze for each hair colour. You can also mix a small amount of hair dye & add it to your shampoo. When required leave it in your hair for a few minutes and wash out. Since this has dye it will be abit more damaging than a glaze which will just deposit colour onto your hair. If you have red hair you could use a henna shampoo to help top up the colour.

Styling
Styling products, like spray and mousse, can also damage and dry out your hair and its colour. If you use these make sure you use ones made for dyed hair. Avoid anything that gives volume. These products open up the hair shaft, therefore allowing the colour molecules to escape. If you use styling products make sure you wash them out as soon as possible as leaving them in will dry and damage your hair, and therefore the colour. When using heated stylers like straighteners make sure you use a thermal protector beforehand.

Sunlight
When outside make sure you protect your hair. The sun dries it out and fades the colour. During the summer months when the sun is stronger put sunblock on your hair and if possible keep it covered as much as possible. Even when he sun isn't strong or when it's cloudy the UV rays can still damage your hair. You could get a conditioner specifically for sun protection and mix a small amount with water in a spray bottle. Spray your hair every time you go outside to protect it.

Swimming
If you are going swimming always wet your hair with cold water beforehand. This prevents chemicals in the water from penetrating the hair and stripping the colour. For more protection, put conditioner in your hair before swimming and tie into a bun. This will act as a barrier to damaging chemicals.

Remember that red hair fades much faster than other hair colours.