As much as coloured hair adds vibrancy to life, we often forget to take proper care, which is necessary, in order to avoid additional hair woes such as dryness and damage. It is equally important to maintain lustre of your coloured hair otherwise what is the point, right?
Here are 5 ways for you to take care of your coloured hair:
Protein Hair Mask
Not everyone has the luxury of time to apply hair masks regularly before shampooing. If you can take out one day per week to do so, it will do wonders for your hair. It is always better to prepare one at home than to buy off the shelves. You can make one easily by whisking 1 egg, 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise and 2 tablespoons of milk in a bowl until smooth and consistent. Apply the mixture to your hair from roots to tips. Leave it for 20 to 30 minutes and then rinse with shampoo. Apply this hair mask one hour before you step into shower as it surely repairs damaged hair. Avoid putting it on your scalp if you have an oily scalp.
Cold Water
For colour treated hair, try to go with cold water or lukewarm water showers. Hot water will strip dye out because it opens hair cuticles whereas cold water helps seal the moisture in. To avoid all the colour from going down the drain, literally, use lukewarm water if you do not feel comfortable with cold, as it will allow the shampoo and conditioner to penetrate and do the required tasks just enough and then rinse with cold water after conditioning to seal your hair’s cuticle. This way you will not have to replace your relaxing warm baths while maintaining the colour as well
Sulphate Free Shampoo
Most of our skin and hair products are laden with sodium laureth sulphate, which is a type of detergent used to bring foam to shampoos, conditioners, soaps, body washes etc. By using sulphates, not only do you strip your hair off the colour you have spent money on, but you also strip it off its natural colour, oils and moisture, which ultimately leads to untameable frizz, split ends and sometimes hair fall. It is always better to go through the components of products you use and opt for sulphate free ones.
Vinegar Rinse
Vinegar prevents colour fading from your hair because it seals the hair cuticles and therefore colour does not run off with water. If you are unable to shower with cold water, do a vinegar rinse. As warm water opens hair cuticles making dye to escape, adding vinegar to lukewarm water and then using it will seal the hair cuticles faster.
Oil Massage
The benefits that come with regular oil massage cannot be ignored. Being in a desi household, we have always received much advice on why we should oil our hair before stepping into shower. Oil massage significantly improves blood circulation of your hair follicles, keeps hair roots strong, nourished and hydrated. Because of the improved blood circulation more oxygen reaches your hair, which is very helpful in combating hair fall or dry hair, without giving in to expensive treatments. You can use coconut or almond oil before your shampoo day. And if you suffer from hair fall even after using conditioner, you can opt to avoid it and instead use almond oil as its replacement.
