5 Things You Shouldn't Do After Coloring Hair

Now that you’ve spent hours and hundreds of dollars getting your hair to that just-perfect color, you aren’t going to go ahead and ruin it, are you? Truth be told, most of us do at least one—if not all five—of these hair no-nos within the first week or so after having our hair professionally colored, even if it’s unintentional. Here’s what to do to keep your color fresh, shiny and vibrant. Lay Off the Chemicals Celebrity colorist Sharon Dorram says one of the most important things to remember after coloring your hair is not to overexpose it to too many chemicals. “Anything from hairspray and styling products with alcohol to too much blow-drying can all contribute to color fading.” The chemicals found in styling products open up the cuticle allowing the color to slip out. Don’t Wash Your Hair (At First) Founder of Tina Did It Salon at Ricky’s NYC, Tina Outen says to avoid washing your hair for the first 48 hours after color. “Color oxidizes during this time. The first day after you’ve colored your hair, the color slowly seeps into the natural pigments of your hair and the pigments settle overnight. By the second day, the color strengthens as the pigments lock themselves together as oxygen in the air stabilizes the color.” That’s why you don’t want to wash it—if you do, you’re lifting the color right out of your hair. Steer Clear of Chlorine Outen compares the chlorine in swimming pools like Kryptonite to color. Make sure to keep your hair protected whenever you’re outside with a good hat and sun-protecting hair products. Skip Treatment Shampoos and Masks We’re not saying that you can’t ever use them, but know that anything like dandruff or clarifying shampoos can do a number on your color. “They are used to strip unwanted tones in color correction,” says Outen. So, if you like your color, don’t wash with them. “Also, avoid thick treatment masks. They penetrate so deeply into the hair and can drag the color pigments out with them.” Stay Away From Heat Heat-based styling tools won’t do anything good to your color, especially when you couple it with products. “Try to avoid using volumizers, mousse, hairsprays, and even gels with high heat for long periods of time. The hair is too vulnerable and easily damaged,” says Dorram.