How To Care for Color Treated Hair

Millions of people spend billions of their well-earned dollars changing their hair color. It would be a shame to throw away all that hard work without learning how to care for color treated hair between dye sessions. It’s no gimmick; using products specifically designed for color treated hair will prolong the life of your dyed ‘do and maintain its health for maximum softness, shine, and strength. To get a better understanding of why, let’s take a look at what happens during this transformative chemical process.

Why Learn How to Care for Color Treated Hair

Hair becomes different after it goes through a chemical process. Okay, so obviously, it’s a whole new color, but there’s another important difference to note. Permanent dyes and bleach need to penetrate the hair’s protective cuticle to make color changes from the inside out.

This exposure may break down the hair’s structure resulting in overly dry, weak, or dull strands. When done recklessly, this could be a recipe for serious damage. That’s why hair is classified as either virgin or non-virgin because once you go lighter, darker, or start covering up stubborn greys, there’s no going back.

Your hair may be permanently changed, but knowing how to care for color treated hair with the right products will replenish and nourish hair to keep it hydrated and healthy. To avoid getting a lecture from your hairdresser, never solely rely on your trips to the salon to get the best haircare. Put your at-home routine on autopilot by using the top salon-quality shampoos, conditioners, and styling products.

But which ones will deliver the best results? There is a lot to learn, and every product category deserves its attention, so this time, we’re focusing on replenishment. Here are some of our favorite color-preserving conditioners that’ll have you saying, “Hair damage, where?”

How to Care for Color Treated Hair with the Best Conditioners

Shampoos and conditioners go hand in hand. The former removes dirt and buildup, while the latter makes hair feel silky, refreshed, and whole.

Color-safe shampoos are formulated without harsh cleansers that strip moisture and fade color. At the same time, their matching conditioners replenish hair with nutrients, proteins, and antioxidants to maintain vibrancy and offer protection from UV rays that prematurely fade or alter hair color.

These products know how to care for color treated hair by keeping your hair looking salon-fresh, plus they have added benefits that allow you to target specific concerns.

Damage Repair – Damaged hair needs special attention, and the longer you can go between drying chemical processes, the better. If your hair is lackluster, brittle, and difficult to style, incorporate a reparative formula like Moroccanoil’s Moisture Repair Conditioner into your rotation. They are known for beautifully incorporating the rare and rich argan oil into their products, which is abundant in vitamin E, fatty acids, and other antioxidants that prevent stressing your hair out from the environment.

Keratin and silk proteins reinforce weakened strands and support a healthy (and lengthy) grow-out process. This sulfate-free conditioner is rounded out with equally nourishing botanical extracts and jojoba and avocado oils that will help your hair recover from whatever it has been going through. Just go easy with the heat styling.

Frizz Management – Damage may contribute to lots of frizz, but so does living in a humid climate, no matter the condition (pun intended) of your hair. Even with healthy tresses, frizz can be a formidable opponent, so give your hair a fighting chance with Living Proof’s No Frizz Conditioner.

It knows how to care for color treated hair with its clean, vegan formulation that’s free of parabens, formaldehyde, phthalates, sulfates, and silicones. It also features the multitasking squalane, which supports hydration and moisture, so there’s no room for water molecules from the air to take over your silky soft mane. Paired with its shampoo, you’ll notice a difference within the first use.

All-Out Replenishment – Curly hair types are already on the dry side even before chemical color processes. Focus on conditioners (and shampoos, of course) that feature moisture and hydration, like Paul Mitchell’s Instant Moisture Conditioner.

It features the multifaceted panthenol, or provitamin B5, that softens hair, draws in hydration to plump strands, and helps seal the cuticle for optimal moisture retention. Panthenol also keeps hair strong, so feel free to detangle with this vegan conditioner to get perfect waves, curls, and coils with every wash.  

Tea Tree Oil Power – Wake up your senses and balance your scalp with the famous Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Color Conditioner. When paired with its bestie shampoo, this special pair has an invigorating blend of tea tree, mint, and lavender essential oils that control oil production and soothe sensitivities. It can even help calm mild dandruff.

This conditioner knows how to care for color treated hair by protecting against UV damage and providing deep moisture. It’s an ideal choice for oily hair types that must be washed more often than normal or dry types.

Brightest Blondes – All blondes have more… difficulty managing their color. Keep your blondes as vibrant as the day you left the salon with It’s a 10 Miracle Blonde Leave-In. After washing and conditioning, apply a small amount of this lightly tinted leave-in to tone brassiness and preserve bright tones.

This means gorgeous shine and no more dullness in between sessions. You also get powerful UV and heat protection from panthenol, green tea, and other plant extracts. And the handy size means you never have to leave home or go on vacay, without it.

For Everyone – Keep it simple but not basic with a premium, all-encompassing conditioner that covers every base when it comes to maintaining color treated hair. Biolage’s Color Last Conditioner makes it easy with their vegan, cruelty-free formula that works for most healthy hair types. It moisturizes, softens, and extends the life of your color for up to a whopping nine weeks! You’ll notice extended shine and dimension, and best of all; you’ll notice hair regrowth before seeing your color fade.

Where to Next?

Using the right conditioners is just one part of taking the best care of processed hair. Styling products like gels and thermal protectants may provide additional color support, and your lifestyle and environment make a difference, too. For more in-depth knowledge on how to care for color treated hair, visit our Beauty Resource Center for everything you’ll need.