Whether it’s to hide your gray hair or to experiment with a new look, there are many reasons why we choose to color our hair. However, it is essential to be careful of certain pitfalls in order to preserve the health of our hair. With Centifolia, discover all the mistakes not to make when you have colored hair.
Choosing a shade that is not suitable for your scalp
Do you dream of transforming your brown hair into a platinum blonde mane? Would you like to finally test this flamboyant red on your hair? This is not impossible, but be sure to take all the parameters into account before embarking on this physical transformation. The effect of hair coloring is directly linked to the difference between the chosen shade and your natural color. The greater this gap, the more intense the coloring will be. However, intense coloring tends to damage your hair more. In addition, opting for a shade that is too far from your natural color carries the risk that the final result will not suit you. Therefore, it is recommended to choose a shade that remains relatively close to your natural color. Generally, a difference of one or two tones below or above is ideal. This not only preserves the health of our hair by reducing the impact of chemicals, but also achieves a more harmonious and natural result. Choosing a shade close to our natural color also makes it easier to maintain the color in the long term, because regrowth will be less visible and the overall effect will be more uniform.
Coloring damaged hair
Hair coloring is a common practice, but it is essential to understand its impact on hair health. When you color your hair with chemical hair color, the toxic products contained in the color penetrate inside your hair, which can make it more sensitive and fragile. This risk is even more pronounced if your hair is already damaged, as this could worsen its condition by further drying it out and causing breakage (all you need to know about hair nutrition and hydration). To minimize potential damage, it is recommended to prepare your hair before coloring. This may include regular use of nourishing hair care products, such as masks or conditioners made with hydrating ingredients like argan oil, coconut oil, or shea butter. To maintain the hydration of your hair, also favor the use of natural oils which provide shine and promote hair health. These products help strengthen the hair fiber and protect it from damage caused by chemicals in coloring. You can also consider a cut to freshen up your hairstyle and remove damaged ends. Finally, it is important to note that if your hair is excessively damaged when coloring, the color pigments may have difficulty adhering evenly to the hair fiber. This can lead to uneven fading and faster loss of color over time.
Do not adapt your care after coloring
To maintain the shine of colored hair and guarantee its health, it is crucial to opt for specific care. When it comes to shampoo, it’s best to choose gentle formulas that are sulfate-free and specifically designed for colored hair (learn more about sulfates). Using unsuitable products risks drying out the hair and altering the color, making it dull more quickly. Likewise, using styling products that contain alcohol can make dry hair worse. It is therefore recommended to favor alcohol-free formulas to maintain the hydration of colored hair.
Centifolia offers hair care products designed for colored or highlighted hair to help you prolong the wear of your color while hydrating and strengthening the hair:
- Color Fixing Shampoo & Detangler: Approved by professional hairdressers, this 2in1 shampoo gently cleanses, detangles and protects color for up to 6 weeks. By capturing and fixing pigments, it preserves color intensity over the long term.
- The Extended Color Protective Mask: This mask is perfect for protecting hair while ensuring natural and optimal results. Thanks to its active components, it maintains hair color for 6 weeks.
- Color fixing mist with 230°C thermo-protective active ingredient: Validated by professional hairdressers, this mist fixes and boosts color to prolong shine. In addition, the mist acts as a shield and protects it from damage caused by heat up to 230°C such as styling appliances.
Washing your hair too frequently
We often have the habit of washing our hair very frequently, which damages the health of our hair. For those who have colored hair and want to maintain its shine, it is essential to reduce the frequency of shampooing as much as possible. In fact, the more we wash our hair, the more likely the color will fade and lose its shine, making it more fragile. In order to preserve the beauty and vitality of your colored hair, it is essential to reduce the frequency of shampooing as much as possible. Ideally, it is recommended to only wash your hair 2 to 3 times a week. Excessive washing frequency would make them more sensitive to external aggression.
To take care of your hair naturally, come and discover the “no-poo” technique. Furthermore, when washing your hair, it is crucial to make sure to rinse the shampoo well in order to eliminate any residue (how to shampoo properly?). By leaving traces of product on the hair, these residues can weigh it down and suffocate it, thus compromising its health and appearance. To space out shampoos further, using a dry shampoo can be beneficial. This product helps refresh the hair between two washes while absorbing excess sebum, thus prolonging the freshness of the hairstyle without compromising the health of the hair (5 good reasons to use a dry shampoo).
Rinse your hair with hot water
When we wash our hair with hot water, the scales that cover it tend to open, which can lead to a loss of shine and the appearance of frizz. On the other hand, cold water has a beneficial effect on the hair cuticles. When you rinse your hair with cold water, it tightens the cuticles, effectively closing them. This helps seal moisture and nutrients inside the hair, while creating a smooth surface that reflects light, making hair look shinier and healthier. In addition to this, washing your hair with cold water also helps make the hair color last longer. By sealing the cuticles, color is less likely to fade quickly, meaning your dye will stay bright and vibrant for longer.
Not protecting your hair against attacks
Taking care of your hair is crucial to maintaining its health and beauty. Several factors can weaken and damage them, requiring adequate protection:
• Exposure to the sun during summer vacations can be harmful to your hair. UV rays can dry them out, make them dull and even alter their structure. To counter this harmful effect, it is recommended to apply natural oils or hair masks to nourish deeply. Additionally, wearing a hat or tying your hair up can provide additional protection from the sun.
• Sea water and chlorine from swimming pools can also be harsh on hair. To preserve them, it is advisable to rinse them with clean water after each swim to remove salt or chlorine. Next, using a mild shampoo is essential to remove all residue. Supplementing with a hydrating conditioner and regular hair mask can restore moisture and vitality to hair.
• Frequent use of heating appliances such as hair dryers, straighteners or curling irons can also weaken them. It is therefore preferable to limit their use as much as possible. Before use, it is recommended to apply a heat protectant, brush the hair and let it dry naturally.
