Unfortunately dyed red hair colors are some of the hardest colors to successfully maintain. If not cared for properly it can soon take on a dull, brassy appearance, actually changing shade from what it originally was. If you are planning on dyeing your hair a shade of red there are a few things you can do in advance to properly prepare your hair, thus giving it a better chance of lasting longer and not changing shade.
Even though it does not look like it, gradually over time your hair has all kinds of minerals, hair sprays, gels and even conditioners building up on your hair shafts. In order to successfully dye your hair it is important that you strip your hair of these things.
A chelating shampoo will do this quite nicely, thus ensuring that the red hair dye will stick to the hair shafts and be absorbed into them much more easily. It may be difficult to find a good chelating shampoo. If you have trouble locating one check with your local hairdresser, they will probably have a stock of chelating shampoos and you can be sure that they will also be of good quality.
Once you have dyed your hair, do not wash it for at least forty eight hours. This will give the dye time to really penetrate into the hair shafts. When you do finally wash your hair, use a suitable color enhancing shampoo. This will help your hair to keep its color.
The sun is your beautiful red hair’s worst enemy, as is chlorine. Both will bleach your hair till it loses its original freshness and color. If you are going outside in the bright sunshine you should wear a hat or a scarf. If you are swimming in a chlorinated pool wear a swimming cap.
Finally, weather permitting, do a final rinse of your hair after washing with cool water. It will help the color to stay in your hair longer.
Following these few simple steps should ensure that even though, when it comes to hair color red is the most difficult to maintain, yours will stay vibrant and bright for as long as possible.
photo credit: Art Pets Photography