What Defines Color-Treated Hair?
Defining color-treated hair is any hair that has permanently or temporarily changed shades (even in the slightest) which can include–
- Highlights
- All-over hair color
- Gray coverage
- Lowlights
For both at-home and salon hair color treatments, the chemical process that occurs can take a toll on hair. For example, permanent color treatments use a chemical oxidation process to alter the color at the very core of each strand. For this process, the common chemical used is hydrogen peroxide. It is found in the developer of hair dye and helps strip the hair of melanin pigments and activate the hair dye. Another common ingredient is ammonia.
Ammonia breaks through the hair cuticle (outer shell of hair strands) to allow the color to take hold. The cuticle protects your hair and gives it shine and smoothness. Since the cuticle is lifted, your hair will feel and look different. This intense alternation of hair can lead to unwanted side effects over time. If you’ve experienced changes in your hair since beginning to color-treat it, read on to find out about the best care you can provide your suffering strands.
Why Does Color-Treated Hair Need Specific Care?
Color-treated hair needs specific care to reverse the changes that occur during color treatments. Hair strands are stripped of natural moisture and strength during and after any coloring session. The chemical reaction that hair undergoes when color is changed causes lots of stress on the hair. Since the cuticle is opened, hair strands will gradually become dry and damaged, leaving your strands feeling brittle, dull, and frizzy. The natural fats and proteins that give your hair strength will also be depleted. This could lead to strands breaking easier. Hair thinning and loss is another negative side effect that is a result of the hair follicles in your scalp weakening. All of these side effects are especially prevalent if bleach is regularly used.
As a result of these side effects, color-treated hair will need a little extra help to stay healthy. However, quality products will help prolong color and keep hair looking great by supplementing the right repairing ingredients.
Keratin For Color-Treated Hair
When deciding to color your hair, Keratin is a must for both preparation and maintenance! Keratin is one of the best ingredients for improving the internal structure of your hair, prepping it for better retention of everything good; shine, strength, resiliency, manageability, and color retention are all impacted in a positive way with the right keratin levels. Keratin is a fundamental building block for hair structure and strength. It is one of the main proteins depleted in the coloring process. Keratin helps to keep the core of hair strands protected by maintaining the outer shell. As a result, hair strands are smooth, silky, shiny, and strong.
Choose the Color Protect Collection
Color-treated hair requires a higher level of hair care for optimal health. To increase hydration, use Keratherapy’s Color Protect Conditioner. Like all of our other products, it is keratin infused which is the building block for healthy hair and should always be included in your hair care routine for the healthiest stands.
Our Color Protect Collection also includes the Color Protect Perfect Blowout. This product greatly reduces blow-dry time and helps to smooth and eliminate frizz. It seals the cuticle, which is the hair strand's outer layer, and helps fight humidity by creating an invisible barrier. Like all Keratherapy products, it also helps to protect hair color from harmful UV rays and other environmental damage. The Collection ensures your hair is hydrated, soft, shiny, and vibrant. The products will also improve hair elasticity, essential for keeping away brittle, easily breakable strands.
Combine our Color Protect Collection with our conditioners, shampoos, and styling products for a complete set of tools for the healthiest hair. Of course, we use the best ingredients in addition to our staple keratin, such as collagen, red raspberry seed oil, shea butter, olive oil, and avocado oil. These are some of the most powerful healthy hair ingredients, so of course, you would find them throughout our Keratherapy Collections!
Specifically, Formulated Hair Products Are A Must
If you have color-treated hair, you need products with the best ingredients. These ingredients nourish and replenish while also rebuilding and softening. Color-treated hair takes on increased stress and needs an extra boost to hydrate and keep it strong. In addition to restoring hair to its former glory, your hair products should also maintain the color. It's a no-brainer to make your shade last as long as possible. Products not specially formulated will strip color from hair quickly and not work to repair. So, invest in the lineup that has proven ingredients you’ll love. It is entirely possible to have both healthy and dyed hair.