According to Clairol, about 55% of women color their hair, either at home or in salons. One of the most common questions asked by women who color their hair is, “Why does my hair feel dry after coloring?” The answer lies in the innermost section of the hair shaft called the “cuticle”. During coloring, the alkalinity of the products causes this cuticle to “swell” in order to allow the color to do its’ job. After the color has processed and the hair has been shampooed and conditioned, the cuticle will go back down in size. However, the hair shaft will never return to its original diameter.

Women with fine or limp hair may appreciate the additional texture the coloring process provides; however, no matter what a woman’s natural texture, hair that has been colored requires special treatment to restore the shine and luster depleted during coloring. After coloring, you should care for your hair by using a good moisturizing cream conditioner. This helps maintain the hair’s moisture level, as well as helps to smooth the cuticle layer and ease any problems with porosity. This is especially true if you have used a high-lift color or bleaching agents.

One of the main reasons to properly care for color treated hair is to insure longevity in the color, thereby assisting it with remaining as true as possible in between color jobs. Hair that is damaged, over-processed or simply dry, will fade faster than hair that is conditioned. Additionally, if your hair color is a more vibrant color, such as red shades or golden blondes, you will want to use a color-enhancing/color-preserving shampoo and conditioner - one that deposits color while cleansing/conditioning - in order to keep your color looking as rich as possible for as long as possible. Bumble and Bumble’s Color Support shampoos and conditioners are great examples of products that not only cleanse and moisturize the hair, but deposit small amounts of pigment to help color last longer.

Sun and sweat are the two main contributors to hair color fading, so look for a leave-in conditioner with sunscreens such as Octyl Methyosycinnamate. Hair-care products are not allowed to have SPF numbers because the FDA does not consider hair-care products with sunscreen safe or reliable for sun protection. Hair color is an investment, and, in my opinion, the best form of anti-aging there is! But, with all the incredible benefits of coloring your hair comes the responsibility of keeping your hair healthy and beautiful. But being healthy and beautiful is why we go through all the trouble of coloring our hair anyway, isn’t it? Stay beautiful!