You’ve spent the time and money on professional hair treatments, and now you need to ensure that your look remains gorgeous and salon-fresh. Whether it’s been color treatment, keratin smoothing, or a deep conditioning session, proper post-treatment care can increase the longevity of the results and keep your hair healthy. Here’s how backed by facts and statistics.
Know Your Treatment
First and foremost, one needs to know the kind of treatment that has been done:
Chemical Treatments: Hair dyes can weaken the structure of the hair and cause dryness. According to the International Journal of Trichology, up to 75% of women suffer from color damage.
Keratin Treatment: These can give healthy hair by smoothing the hair and eliminating frizz. However, proper care needs to be taken to maintain its smoothness.
Deep Conditioning Treatments: These replenish shine but also have to be maintained with the right products.
Precautions:
Be sure to speak with your stylist to learn of your specific aftercare needs.
Monitor and use the aftercare products given to you by your stylist.
Wait Before Washing
It is always recommended that you wait 48 to 72 hours after a color or chemical treatment before washing your hair. This waiting period allows the cuticles to close properly, locking in color and treatment benefits. Attempting to wash too soon after one of these treatments may cause color to fade, and studies have shown that hair color can be lost up to 40% within the first few washes if not cared for properly.
Precautions:
Avoid swimming in pools or hot tubs during the waiting period since chlorine can damage your hair.
A shower cap must be donned when bathing as this will prevent your hair from getting affected by excess steam and moisture.
Sulfate-Free Shampoos
Use a sulfate-free shampoo to avoid stripping the hair shaft of its natural moisture. Sulfates strip your hair of its natural oils and cause color loss. According to the Journal of Cosmetic Science, if you use shampoos that have no sulfate, you will reduce color loss by 30 percent as opposed to regular shampoos.
Precautions:
Always be sure to look for the ingredient list, so you ensure that the shampoo is sulfate-free.
Avoid clarifying shampoos for a month afterward, as these types do strip color and moisture.
Condition, Condition, Condition
You will want to immediately condition your hair when you come out of treatment. Deep conditioning treatments or hair masks at least once a week will work miracles on your hair. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a leave-in conditioner to help hydrate.
Precautions:
Do not over-condition, as this product can weigh down your hair and cause buildup to occur.
Apply conditioner once the ends of your hair are easier to reach; this way, you avoid all that greasiness in your roots.
Avoid Excessive Use of Heat Styling
Hot tools damage your hair once it is treated. Additionally, frequent heat exposure ruins the hair even after a keratin treatment. Attempt to use heat styling tools as little as possible and when you must, use a heat protectant. According to researchers, heat styling can damage hair by up to 30%. This implies that hair strands should be protected.
Precautions:
If you must use a heat styling tool, it must be on the lowest effective temperature.
Your styling tools should always be cleaned regularly to prevent buildup from bringing damage.
Protect from the Elements
The sun, chlorine from swimming pools, and salt from the oceans will expose your hair to any possible damage after the treatment. You can protect your hair by wearing a hat or UV-protectant sprays to prevent the dangers caused by radiation. According to a study by the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, ultraviolet exposure leads to fading of color as well as dryness.
Precautions:
Wash your hair in freshwater before swimming to minimize chlorine absorbed by your hair.
Use a leave-in conditioner or hair oil with UV protectants before venturing outdoors.
Cuts
Regular cuts every 6-8 weeks can ensure healthy hair and prevent split ends from compromising the overall appearance of the hair. The American Academy of Dermatology advises to cut one’s hair to keep it healthy.
Precautions:
Communicate your ideas of the length desired and specific areas on your body to pay attention to your stylist.
Don’t miss trims; even the smallest amount removed makes a difference in overall health.
Drink Loads of Water
Hydration is essential for healthy hair. Drinking enough water will ensure hydration from the inside out to your hair. The Institute of Medicine recommends an adequate intake of 3.7 liters a day for men and 2.7 liters for women, all fluids and foods.
Precautions:
Keep an eye on your hydration; a good sign is pee; light yellow, fine; if it’s dark yellow, you need to drink more.
Hydrate with hydrating foods, fruits, and vegetables.
Avoid excessive scrubbing
Over-scrubbing breaks the natural oils. Do not wash daily; was once every two days, or better still, go for a once-a-week wash for optimum maintenance of moisture and a prolonged life of the treatment.
Precautions:
If you feel your hair is oily, use a dry shampoo that can absorb it without overwashing.
Experiment with various washing schedules to see what makes your hair type bloom best.
Consult Professional
Always consult with your stylist for specific post-care recommendations suited for your hair type and the treatment you received. They can advise you on the best products that will suit your needs and help keep your hair looking its best.
Precautions:
Maintain the flow of communication with your stylist about the condition that is progressing.
Ask for specific brands that support your treatment, as well as other related products.
Conclusion
Maintaining your post-hair treatments does not have to be complex. If such practices and precautions become part of your routine, you can enjoy beautiful, healthy hair for longer. So, don’t forget: Proper care can add immensely to the life of your investment and enable you to express that great, salon-fresh look for a long time!
