First, you need to be using products that are formulated for your specific needs.

Is your hair color treated, dry, frizzy, fine or damaged? Seek out a shampoo for color-treated hair and a conditioner made to help smooth the cuticle (outer layer) of the hair.

Once a week, or every five shampoos, is a great time to treat yourself (and your hair) to an intensive at-home treatment.

Remember, you can get too much of a good thing. Using a treatment every time you shampoo, can lead to overload! Over moisturized hair looks and reacts like dry hair. Follow your stylist’s recommendations and don’t over do it.

Protect your color-treated hair from fading before it starts.

Color fades an average of about 26% in four to six weeks. Refuse to fade away! Just like your skin, your hair needs protection from damaging UV rays. Apply a sunscreen (they make them for hair now) and work through the hair. Remember to reapply after several hours. Once is NOT enough. Your daily shampoo should protect from chlorine and UV rays. Look for ingredients like tocopherol (vitamin E) and PABA free sunscreens.

Utilizing a color enhancing shampoo and conditioner once every third shampoo, can be your saving grace. Here’s the ticket – they can be custom blended at professional salons.  Ask us for more details!

This post was written by Brian, artistic director at iSalon.