How to Keep Highlights From Fading

Do you have colored highlights that seem to lose their luster faster than you’d like? Are you looking for ways to make your color last slightly longer? If so, look no further – we have just the tips and tricks for you!

If you want to prevent your highlights from fading, it’s essential to incorporate certain practices into your hair care routine.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss how to keep those highlighted locks vibrant and healthy-looking. From the proper shampooing methods to helpful at-home treatments, these steps are guaranteed to maintain that salon-fresh hue without making too many trips back for touch ups. Read on and find out more about how to keep highlights from fading!

What Will You Need?

Before starting your routine, you’ll need to pick up a few products. Some of the most important items include:

• Shampoo and conditioner specifically designed for color-treated hair.
• A leave-in conditioner or styling cream for after showering.
• A deep conditioning mask once a week.
• A heat protectant

Once you’ve gathered up these items, you’ll be all set for the next step.

10 Easy Steps on How to Keep Highlights From Fading

Step 1. Proper Shampooing

When shampooing colored hair, it’s important to be gentle. Always use lukewarm water and a sulfate-free product to avoid stripping away the vibrant color from your highlights. Avoid washing your hair more than two times a week, as this can also cause fading.

Step 2. Conditioning

Conditioning your hair is vital in maintaining the color and vibrancy of your highlights. When you apply conditioner, focus on the ends and mid lengths of your hair rather than the roots. This helps to prevent oily buildup, and it also assists in keeping your highlights vibrant. Opt for a conditioner specifically designed for colored hair, as this will contain ingredients that help seal the color and offer additional protection against fading. Rinse your hair thoroughly after conditioning.

Step 3. Heat Protection

Highlights are particularly susceptible to heat damage, which can cause them to fade over time. Therefore, it’s crucial to always use a heat protectant before using any heat-styling tools. This will create a protective barrier between your hair and the tool, helping to maintain the longevity of your color. Moreover, try to minimize the use of these tools and opt for natural drying methods whenever possible.

Step 4. Regular Deep Conditioning

To keep your highlights from fading, regular deep conditioning is essential. This not only nourishes your hair but also locks in the color. Using a deep conditioning mask once a week can work wonders for your colored hair. Apply the mask evenly throughout your hair, leave it on for the duration suggested on the product packaging, and rinse off thoroughly. This step will keep your highlights looking fresh, vibrant, and shiny.

Step 5. Protect Your Hair from Sunlight

Exposure to UV rays can cause your highlights to fade rapidly. To guard against this, it’s wise to wear a hat or use a UV protection spray for your hair when planning to spend considerable time in the sun. This barrier will preserve your color, adding longevity to your highlights and also add extra protection to your scalp. The key is to remember that your hair color is an investment that needs to be protected to maintain its vibrancy and health.

Step 6. Avoid Chlorine

Chlorine found in swimming pools can harm your highlights, causing them to fade or even change color. Before swimming, it’s advisable to soak your hair with fresh water and apply a protective leave-in conditioner. This will create a barrier and minimize the amount of chlorine that your hair absorbs. After swimming, rinse your hair thoroughly to remove any residual chlorine. If you swim regularly, consider investing in a swim cap for added protection.

Step 7. Minimize Chemical Treatments

Excessive chemical treatments, including perms, relaxers, or other color treatments, can strip the color from your highlights, leading to quicker fading. Try to space out these treatments as much as possible and consult with your stylist about which treatments are safe for colored hair. Remember that maintaining the health of your hair should always be a priority.

Step 8. Eat a Balanced Diet

Believe it or not, what you eat can impact the longevity and vibrancy of your highlights. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats can help keep your hair healthy and vibrant. In particular, foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, and vitamin C can help maintain your hair’s health and color.

Step 9. Stay Hydrated

Hydration is key to maintaining healthy and vibrant highlights. Drinking plenty of water helps to hydrate your hair from the inside out, promoting overall hair health and helping to keep your color looking fresh. Keep a water bottle with you throughout the day, and aim to drink at least eight glasses of water.

Step 10. Regular Salon Visits

Lastly, regular visits to your salon for touch-ups and professional treatments can help keep your highlights from fading. Your stylist can provide expert advice tailored to your hair type and color, ensuring your highlights stay vibrant for as long as possible. Professional stylists have the knowledge and expertise to handle colored hair, so their advice is invaluable in maintaining your color.

And there you have it! By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to keeping your highlights from fading and maintaining that fresh-from-the-salon look. Remember, it’s all about treating your highlights with the care they deserve.

5 Additional Tips and Tricks

1. Use Color-Protecting Products: Invest in shampoos, conditioners, and hair masks specifically designed for colored hair. These products contain ingredients that help to seal the color and add moisture to prevent fading and dryness.
2. Avoid Excessive Heat: Limit the use of heat styling tools, as they can strip your highlights of their vibrant color. When using these tools, always apply a heat protectant to minimize damage.
3. Clean Your Tools: Make sure your styling tools and hair brushes are regularly cleaned to prevent the buildup of oils and dirt, which can cause fading.
4. Be Mindful of Your Water Temperature: Avoid washing your hair with hot water as this can strip away color and leave it dull. Use lukewarm or cold water instead whenever possible.
5. Get Regular Touch-Ups: Regularly visit your hairdresser for touch-ups to keep your highlights looking fresh and vibrant. Professional treatment can help maintain your hair’s color and overall health.

With these tips, you can keep your highlights fresh and vibrant for longer. Take care of your hair, which will reward you with a beautiful, healthy-looking color!

5 Things You Should Avoid

1. Excessive Sun Exposure: Prolonged exposure to the sun’s harsh UV rays can cause your highlights to fade. Protect your hair by wearing a hat or UV-protective hair spray when you’re outside for extended periods.
2. Chlorine and Salt Water: Both chlorine and salt water can strip the color from your hair, causing your highlights to fade. Always rinse your hair thoroughly after swimming in a pool or the ocean.
3. Overwashing Your Hair: Washing your hair too frequently can lead to color fading. Limit shampooing to twice or thrice a week, and use a dry shampoo in between if needed.
4. Using Non-Color-Safe Products: Avoid hair care products not designed for color-treated hair. They often contain harsh ingredients that can strip the color from your hair.
5. Skipping Deep Conditioning Treatments: Omitting regular deep conditioning treatments can dry and dull your hair, causing your highlights to fade faster. Remember to condition your hair at least once weekly to keep your highlights vibrant.

With these tips, you can prolong the life of your highlights and maintain a beautiful, healthy-looking color!

Do Highlights Fade After You Wash Them?

No, highlights won’t fade after you wash them. However, washing your hair too frequently may cause the color to become dull and eventually start to fade. You should limit shampooing your hair to twice or thrice a week and use dry shampoo in between when needed. Additionally, using color-safe products designed specifically for colored hair can help protect the vibrancy of your highlights. Regularly visiting your hairdresser for touch-ups can also help maintain the health and color of your hair.

Overall, if you care for your hair and use the right products correctly, you can keep your highlights looking fresh and vibrant for a long time!

How Often Should Highlights Be Done?

It depends on various factors, including the type and color of highlights you have and your desired look. Generally speaking, most people must get touch-ups every 4-6 weeks to maintain their highlights. However, this can vary based on individual preferences. You should consult with your hairdresser to assess when a touch-up is needed. They can also advise you on the best ways to care for your hair to prolong the life of your highlights.

By following their advice and using these tips, you’ll be able to keep your highlights looking fresh and vibrant for longer!

Conclusion

In conclusion, keeping your highlights vibrant and fresh is key to maintaining your desired look. Taking care of your hair should be a priority for anyone with highlights; by following the simple steps mentioned in this post, you can help ensure that your highlights will look like they were just done at the salon. If consistent maintenance becomes too much to handle, seek help from a professional.

Regularly visiting a hairstylist or beauty expert to keep your style fresh is also an effective way of preserving beautiful highlights and color treatments. Remember to find products that work well with dyed hair so as not to strip away any existing color– hair that remains moisturized and healthy will also reflect light better than dry and brittle strands.

Whatever route you decide to take, how to keep highlights from fading is achievable, given proper attention and care!