Coloring our hair can create a wonderfully dramatic change in our appearance however to sustain the beautiful color requires effort and awareness. Hair colors have come a long way in the last decade but damaging chemicals are still involved in the process. During the hair coloring process the cuticles of your hair are left slightly lifted which essentially leaves your hair porous. The good news is there are many quick and easy tips to help keep your colored locks fresh and healthy looking.



Choosing the right shampoo and conditioner are a must. There are many shampoos on the market specifically for color treated hair, use them. These shampoos will help ensure that your color is not stripped out of your hair and help ward off fading. When possible give your hair a break and only shampoo every other day, this will allow the hairs natural oils aid it the protection and re-hydration.

By the same token use conditioner that is for color treated hair. Conditioning and moisturizing color treated hair is a must. In addition to using a conditioner it is recommended that you do utilize a deep conditioning treatment at least one a week to keep your hydrated, particularly if you style your hair on a regular basis. Additional defense for your hair is a smoothing serum which leaves a protective coating on the hair shaft and helps smooth and seal the cuticle layer.

Protect your hair from the environment. The sun bleaches both natural and colored hair. It is a good idea to cover it up, especially if you spend a lot of time out doors. You can now find leave in products for your hair that are specifically for protection against the sun, if you don't want to wear a hat then this is a good alternative. Sunscreen for the hair is very popular and can be found in many of your favorite styling products including leave in conditioners, hairspray and mousses.

It is also very important to keep up your hair maintenance, this includes regular cuts and color touch ups. You should try and get your hair cut every four to six weeks depending on how fast your hair grows and the amount of styling you do to it on a daily basis. This in important to not only get rid of dry ends but it is generally agreed that freshly cut hair is easier to manage and style.

Whether you do your hair coloring yourself or you get a professional you must take the time to get your roots touched up on a regular basis. If you are a regular at the hair salon your stylist will generally just do your roots when a complete color is not necessary, however you can't go strolling in when you have three inches of roots showing, if you have half an inch get in there before you start looking like a skunk. Those individuals who choose to do their own coloring often find it easier to just pour the color on, but this is not a good approach for healthy looking hair, do the roots only.

Coloring your hair can be a lot of fun and can really give you a boost when you are feeling low but it does require some maintenance. It does not have to be difficult but you must be willing to make a few changes to ensure your newly colored hair continues to look vibrant and healthy.