Keep Your Colour Vibrant All Summer
Summer is the toughest season for colour-treated hair. UV rays fade colour, chlorine turns blonde hair green, salt water dehydrates strands, and increased heat styling adds another layer of stress. But with the right approach, you can enjoy summer without sacrificing your colour.
Here are the protection strategies our colourists at Fluff in Denver recommend.
UV Protection Is Essential
Just like your skin, your hair needs sun protection. UV rays break down colour molecules, causing fade and brassiness. Use a leave-in spray with UV filters before sun exposure. Wearing a hat during peak hours (10am to 3pm) protects both your colour and your scalp.
The Pool and Ocean Strategy
Before swimming, thoroughly wet your hair with clean water and apply a layer of conditioner. Hair is like a sponge — if it is already saturated with clean water and conditioner, it absorbs far less chlorine or salt water. After swimming, rinse immediately with fresh water. Keep a small bottle of leave-in conditioner in your pool bag for a quick post-swim treatment.
Wash Less, Condition More
Summer activities tempt you to wash your hair more often, but frequent washing is one of the fastest ways to fade colour. Try to limit washing to 2 to 3 times per week, using dry shampoo between washes. When you do wash, use a colour-safe, sulfate-free formula and always condition thoroughly.
Weekly Repair Treatments
Add a weekly deep conditioning or bond-repair mask to your summer routine. The cumulative effects of sun, water, and heat styling create low-level damage that builds over time. A weekly treatment keeps this in check so you do not arrive at September with straw-like hair.
Pre-Summer Colour Strategy
If you know summer will be hard on your hair, talk to your colourist about a colour formula that accounts for fade. Going slightly deeper or more saturated than your target shade means your colour fades into a beautiful place rather than looking washed out.