How to maintain coloured hair: Top tips from Dr Blossom Kochhar

Some like to colour their hair to hide their greys, others like to match their tresses with their mood or clothes. There is always a solid reason to colour hair. But after getting their favourite shade, some women end up complaining about dry hair, hair loss or dullness. There is also the problem of hair colour fading fast. You only have to blame yourself for these hair problems. Coloured hair needs a lot of love and pampering. To maintain coloured hair, you have to follow a proper hair care routine.

To help you with tips on taking care of coloured hair, Health Shots connected with Dr Blossom Kochhar, Chairperson, Blossom Kochhar group of companies.

Common mistakes after colouring hair

Some women make mistakes when it comes to coloured hair. Here are some of them:

1. Over-washing

Washing coloured hair too frequently can strip away the colour apart from natural oils, leading to premature fading, says Dr Kochhar. So, don’t wash your hair every single day.

2. Using hot water

Hot water opens up the hair cuticles that causes colour molecules to slip out. Opt for cold water to seal the cuticles and lock in the colour.

3. Skipping heat protection

Heat styling tools may be a great way to get a chic look, but they can damage coloured hair, making the colour fade faster.

4. Using products with sulfates

Sulfates in shampoos can strip away the colour as well as moisture from coloured hair. Replace them with sulfate-free products to maintain the colour’s longevity.

Tips to maintain coloured hair at home

You can always head to a salon to pamper your coloured hair, but you also need to care for your tresses at home. Here’s what you can do:

1. Use colour-protecting shampoo and conditioner

Use a shampoo and conditioner specifically formulated for coloured hair. These products can help to lock in the colour and prevent fading, says the expert.

Also read: Best shampoos for coloured hair to protect hair colour from fading

2. Apply leave-in conditioner and hair masks

Regularly nourish your coloured hair with leave-in conditioners and hair masks. These hair treatments provide deep hydration, repair damaged strands, and make sure your hair colour stays intact for long.

3. Protect hair from heat styling

Heat styling tools like straighteners and curling irons can damage coloured hair, leading to colour fading and dryness. If you need to use heat styling for a party, apply a heat protection spray before styling to minimise damage.

4. Avoid chlorinated water

Dipping in a swimming pool is a great way to beat the heat. But the chlorine in swimming pools can cause colour fading and discolouration in coloured hair. Before swimming, wet your hair with clean water and wear a swim cap to minimise chlorine exposure, suggests the expert. Also, protect your hair from the sun’s UV rays by wearing hats or using hair products with UV filters. The strong rays can take away the shine and vibrancy of your hair colour.

5. Oil your coloured hair

Oiling can be beneficial for coloured hair, as it helps to retain moisture, add shine and nourish the hair shaft, says Dr Kochhar. Coloured hair can be prone to frizz and flyaways due to some damage from the colouring process. Use olive oil that can tame frizz and smooth the hair, making it more manageable.

Once you fix your mistakes and follow a hair care routine for coloured hair, you will not have any complaints.