​5 Shocking Things That Can Destroy Your Hair Colour

For those of use who colour, whether it’s flaming locks of fiery red, bleached blonde tresses or a jet black statement of style and attitude, one thing for sure is that your hair colour is an investment of your time and money – and one in which you want that investment to remain vibrant and vivid for as long as possible. Perhaps you take precautions with your colour, choosing hair treatments and products that claim to protect your colour, however there are hidden dangers lurking around that may just surprise you! We asked ColorWow innovator Dr.Joe Cincotta to reveal the biggest threats to colour treated hair and what to do to ensure your hair colour remains both brilliant and vibrant for longer.

#1.Shampoo

Your shampoo of choice is vital to the quality of your hair colour. It’s well known that certain sulphates penetrate colour-treated tresses, causing swelling and colour leaching, it may even result in a break down of your hair’s natural protein. However sulphate-free doesn’t necessarily equate to danger-free, as many sulphate-free formulas still swell the hair and can cause colour fade in as few as ten washes. Stop your hair colour going down the drain by choosing a sulphate-free shampoo that DOES NOT contain the following ingredients, Sodium C14-16, Olefin Sulfonate or Sodium Xylene Sulfonate. There are sulphate-free shampoos that ensure the cuticle is kept tight and works to preserve colour, just be vigilant when reading the ingredients list.

It pays to be cautious as many shampoos can actually deposit onto the hair, causing a layer of dulling film and residue that may corrupt your colour. Some shampoos can also cause an oxidisation process which will turn blonde hair yellow, so Dr. Joe advises, avoid 2-in-1 shampoos that contain silicones, as well as pearlised formulas. Ideally seek out crystal clear formulas that won’t deposit or leave build up and residue. Try Moroccanoil Clarifying Shampoo.

#2. Water

Did you know that the water temperature in which you wash and rinse your hair in can present a big threat to the integrity of your colour? When washing and rinsing the hair with hot water, it may swell the cuticle, enabling your colour to leach out. This is an easy fix, just ensure you wash and rinse with lukewarm to warm water. If you find that your colour tends to fade quite quickly it may be due to high levels of chlorine in your water, this may adversely affect the quality of your colour or highlights.

#3. Styling Products

For those who colour, fade is a dirty word. Concentrating on shampoos and conditioners, Dr.Joe advises that often styling products may also play a factor in the quick fade of your colour. Many styling products feature polymers, resins and silicones that can potentially dull, darken and discolour your hair with ease. Take a simple test with your favourite styling products to see what impact they have and what they may leave behind on your hair. Squeeze a little of your favourite styling product, wipe it on your mirror and let it dry, if it leaves a waxy film in its wake that’s what it will leave behind on your hair. For hairsprays, leave-in conditioners etc, spray a little onto a white piece of paper and let it dry – if it leaves behind a yellow or dark stain, it will have the same effect on your hair. Try Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray and Moroccanoil Volumising Mousse.

#4.Heat Styling

It’s common knowledge that heat accelerates colour fade, and styling without the use of a hair dryer or straightener is almost impossible. However, if the thought of living without your heat styling tools is just too much to bear, look for products that will speed the process up. Try a blow-dry spray to reduce blow-dry time (ensure it is alcohol free) and avoid heat styling wherever possible. If you can avoid heat styling altogether, try products that refresh or restyle second day hair. Try Moroccanoil Heat Styling Protection Spray

#5. The Environment

Did you know that air pollution can affect the quality of your hair and colour? A colour threat right outside your front door, pollutants attach to and dull the hair, as UV rays from the sun can attack the colour molecules, breaking them down which can change the colour and damage the proteins in the hair, making it weaker and more porous. So when on holidays or in the sun wear a hat or use a product such as Moroccanoil Treatment Oil that features a UV filter, to keep the integrity of your hair colour as vibrant and vivid as possible.

Discover the ColorWow collection now available on Beautyfeatures.ie, to maintain your colour in between salon visits!