Beauty & the Brush: After-dye hair care

there are millions of little girls everywhere tossing, flipping their hair like shampoo commercials on television.

At this moment in time, there are millions of little girls everywhere tossing and flipping their hair like the shampoo commercials on their television sets. As grown ups we’re not much different - the same advertisements catch our attention with their promise of soft, silky tresses attained by a simple lather and rinse.

But, if like us, you’re a fan of experimenting with different dyes and tints, glossy strands can sometimes remain an elusive dream. Hair care and maintenance is always a must, but when infused with chemicals, locks need a little extra caution and attention to remain healthy and shiny.

The first rule of post-dye hair care is to use colour friendly hair products, starting with shampoo and conditioner. Every brand has specific formulations for colour treated tresses, and yes, they are worth the investment. For several weeks after dying, your strand cuticles are exposed and brittle thanks to the chemicals that were used. As a result, it’s essential to wash with a shampoo that is Ph balanced for your mane’s temporary sensitivity. Regular shampoos have high Ph levels, in other words, they not only will strip your hair colour, but they will cause breakage, frizz, and split ends.

Don’t know where to get your hands on the right shampoo and conditioner? Ask your hairstylist - he or she will be able to sell you an appropriate product or at least point you in the right direction. We also recommend avoiding dandruff shampoos - many mane experts use these to lighten colour when a dye job goes wrong. So, if you’re prone to dandruff, try to massage your roots with an oil or flake treatment instead of wrestling with your entire head of hair. Other products such as hairsprays (which contain a massive amount of alcohol) can ruin your hair colour. Try to use styling pomades and sprays that are alcohol free to prevent your tresses from drying out further. In addition, using flat irons and curling irons on chemically processed strands will cause them to appear dehydrated and easily break.

The idea is to baby hair that has been tinted. Some stylists advise their clients not to over wash treated hair - no daily washes that will remove the little moisture that’s still present.

After showering, never detangle your hair with a brush, that is, unless you want your already weakened hair to split. Use a wide-tooth comb and gently unknot your tresses. If you must use a heating appliance, wait until your hair is mostly air dried, and then run it under the nozzle.

Whether or not you can see it, your dyed hair is most likely dehydrated. This is because the process manages to strip your hair of its natural oils while depositing permanent colour. Deep condition your locks at least once a week or have your mom oil it for you. Salon hot oil treatments have also been known to strengthen hair and restore shine.

Our final tip: avoid over processing your hair. We understand the need to transform yourself, but additional dye jobs should on average wait about four weeks. We’ve witnessed many women having to get drastic cuts in order to salvage what’s left of their tresses. Do yourself a favour - allow your roots to grow out before subjecting your locks to any more pain. Ignore our word of caution and the colour of your hair will be the last of your concerns.

Maria Saadat is author of the popular desi beauty site Lipstick Masala.

QUESTION TIME

Do you have a question about make-up? Can’t figure out a hairstyle for an upcoming wedding? Do your attempts at smoky eye make-up leave you looking like a raccoon? Have no fear! E-mail your questions and issues to [e-mail] and Maria Saadat will respond to them in an upcoming column

Published in The Express Tribune, January 7^th, 2011.