As many people already know, the dye will seep out naturally to some degree as the cuticle layers of the hair close. You should wear dark clothing and use dark pillow cases during this period to avoid staining them.
Use dry shampoo in between washes to help keep your hair looking and feeling fresh. If you have an oily hair type and would really hate washing less often, take advantage of color-safe dry shampoo. [5] X Research source This will allow you to clean your hair minus the water and suds.
In addition to using color-protecting products, you should also completely avoid clarifying shampoos because they can strip color from hair strands and speed up the fading process. [7] X Research source Some stylists may recommend a clarifying shampoo the day before a color refresh, however, specifically because they help strip the old dye and ready the hair for the fresh dye. [8] X Research source Some products contain trace amounts of dye and deposit it on your hair when used, essentially providing a micro-recoloring each time you use them. [9] X Research source Just make sure to find the product appropriate to the color of your hair. Make sure to get a good, quality color-safe product, as some cheaper brands may not help protect against color loss.
In addition to avoiding hot water, you should avoid excessive rinsing in general. Once you have completely rinsed shampoo and conditioner out of your hair, don’t simply tilt your head back and allow water to continue running through your hair because this can slowly strip dye as well. [11] X Research source
If you prefer hot oil treatments to hair masks, you can substitute these instead, but avoid using both unless you have extremely dry hair since both can leave your hair looking greasy.
For effective UV absorbers, look for products with benzophenone-3 or -4, polyquaternium-59, cinnamidopropyltrimonium chloride, or butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane. [21] X Research source
