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Colour-Treated Hair Care: Best Practices for Maintaining Vibrant and Healthy Hair

About 53% of women in India between the ages of 22 and 30 love to experiment with their hair. Many try a new style, while others opt for a complete makeover with loud or muted hair colours. Colour-treated hair can add a dazzling dimension to your look. The pop of colour enhances your facial features and reflects your personality. 

However, maintaining that vibrancy requires extra care. Whether you have opted for a bold red, a subtle balayage, or just some playful highlights, the key is to keep your colour looking fresh while ensuring your hair remains healthy.

If you are wondering how to retain your colourful hair for a long without causing any damage, the following steps can help.

  1. Wait Before Washing: One of the most important yet neglected steps after colouring your hair is to give it time to settle. It's best to wait at least 48 hours before your first wash. This allows the cuticles to close and the colour to set in properly, preventing premature fading.
  2. Ditch Sulphates: The next step is to choose the right shampoo and conditioner. Your regular hair care products might not work for colour-treated hair. Opt for a sulphate-free shampoo specifically designed for coloured hair. Sulphates can strip away the natural oils from your hair and scalp, along with your new colour. Similarly, use a conditioner that provides deep hydration and is formulated for colour protection.
  3. Limit Washing: Overwashing is a common mistake that can lead to a faded colour. Try to wash your hair no more than two to three times a week. On non-wash days, dry shampoo can be your best friend, absorbing excess oil and keeping your hair looking fresh.
  4. Cool Water Hair Showers: Hot water can open up your hair cuticles, causing the colour to bleed out. Always wash your hair with lukewarm water, and if you can bear it, give your hair a final rinse with cool water to seal the cuticles and lock in the colour. Cold water also prevents frizziness.
  5. Hair Spa: Colouring can make your hair more prone to dryness and damage, so regular deep conditioning treatments can be helpful. You can give your hair a spa-like treatment at home by regularly deep conditioning it. Use a hair mask or deep conditioner at least once a week to nourish and repair your hair. Invest in clean hair care products with ingredients like keratin, argan oil, and shea butter for added moisture and strength.
  6. Heat Protection: Heat styling tools like straighteners, curling irons, and even blow dryers can cause colour-treated hair to become brittle and dull. If required, apply a heat protectant spray beforehand.
  7. Avoid Chlorine: Swimming pools are a big no for women with coloured hair due to the chlorine, which can cause discolouration and dryness. Before taking a dip, apply a leave-in conditioner or oil. You can also consider wearing a swimming cap. Make sure to rinse your hair immediately after swimming to wash away any chemicals.
  8. Trim Regularly: Regular trims are essential for maintaining the health of your hair, especially if it is colour-treated. Split ends can travel up the hair shaft, leading to more damage and dullness. A trim every six to eight weeks will keep your hair looking fresh and healthy.  
  9. UV Ray Protection: The sun's UVA/UVB rays can not only fade your hair colour but also weaken its structure. When spending time outdoors, especially in direct sunlight, wear a hat, use an umbrella or use a UV-protectant spray designed for hair. This will help to preserve your colour and keep your hair healthy.
  10. Switch to Silk: Swap your cotton or other fabric pillow covers with silk. Silk reduces friction, which can cause frizz, breakage, and dullness, helping your hair stay smooth and shiny. You can also use silk scrunchies and scarves.
  11. Be Gentle While Brushing: Colour-treated hair can be more fragile, so it's important to be gentle when brushing. Use a wide-tooth wooden comb to detangle your hair. Start from the end and work your way up to avoid breakage.
  12. Weekly Pampers: Contrary to popular belief, oiling your coloured hair will not strip the colour. In fact, oil massages can restore moisture, add shine, and protect against damage. You can use natural hair oils like rosemary essential oil, coconut oil, or Brahmi hair oil and massage your scalp once or twice a week.

Managing colour-treated hair? We are sure with the above hacks, it won't be a chore. 

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Spearmint leaf (Mentha Spicata), Stinging nettle leaf (Urtica Dioica), Lemon grass
(Cymbopogon citratus), Ginger root (Zingiber officinale), Peppermint (Mentha Piperita),
Cinnamon bark (Cinnamomum cassia), Ashoka (Saraca Asoca), Lodhra (Symplocos),
Shatavari (Asparagus Racemosus), Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera), Daruharidra
(Berberis Aristata)

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Najafipour F, Rahimi AO, Mobaseri M, Agamohamadzadeh N, Nikoo A, Aliasgharzadeh A. Therapeutic effects
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Kumarapeli M, Karunagoda K and Perera PK: A randomized clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of satapushpa-shatavari powdered drug with satapushpa-
shatavari grita for the management of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Int J Pharm Sci Res 2018; 9(6): 2494-99. doi: 10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.9(6).2494-99.

Grant P. Spearmint herbal tea has significant anti-androgen effects in polycystic ovarian syndrome. A randomized controlled trial. Phytother Res. 2010;24(2):186–8. doi: 10.1002/ptr.2900.