When spring is in the air, protect the color of your hair. I have noticed that the spring thaw leads to new fashions, new hair styles and with increasing frequency, new hair color. The majority of my patients color treat their hair – it’s a trend that is growing. There are a few things you should know, however, to keep your color from fading.
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Fact: Hair structure can change with color services.

Effective color treatment involves an opening of the cuticle layer of the hair shaft to allow tiny color molecules to penetrate the hair cortex where they react and expand to a size that cannot be washed out. Professional salon color treatments alter the pH, moisture content, and protein structure of the hair shaft and allow you to keep your color for longer periods of time. A good color treatment that lasts can be an investment – so protect your hair (and your investment).

Solution: Professional products are formulated to lock in color and moisture, leaving hair fresh and vibrant.

Fact: Hair color can lose its luster without some tender, loving care.

Use the right shampoo and conditioner. It is important to use a water-based,
pH balanced color shampoo with a combination of mild surfactants and a pH between 3.5 to 6.0. Rinse thoroughly after use. Follow up with a daily protein conditioner designed for color-treated hair, with a pH between 3.5 to 5.5. Humectants and hydrolyzed protein are key ingredients you should look for. Conversely, avoid ingredients such as salicylic acid, selenium sulfide, coal tar, and sulfur in both shampoos and conditioners. They make color fade.

Solution: Provide daily protection.

Fact: All hair is not alike.

Consider a deep conditioning treatment at a professional salon. There are deep
conditioning agents with higher protein content that can repair damage to the
keratin protein in the hair shaft caused by hair color treatments. Deep conditioning
treatments can require additional contact time to the hair and these salon treatments can be enhanced by the addition of heat treatments.

Solution: For optimum hair conditioning, treat your hair with in-salon therapy.


Other Haircare Tips:

• Wear hats and use styling aids and finishing products with sunscreen, such as leave-in conditioners, to prevent color fading from sun damage. Leave-in conditioners are never substitutes for regular conditioners – they are complements.
• Don’t brush hair when wet and use a wide-tooth brush or comb to prevent damage to the hair cuticle.
• Dry your hair gently with a towel and avoid over drying your hair.