What Is the Best Way to Treat Dyed Hair?

Dying a client’s hair usually isn’t a quick (or cheap) process. When done properly, there’s a lot of time and money that goes into achieving a colour change, whether it’s brunette to blonde or blonde to blue! Because of this, keeping hair maintained and protected between salon visits is essential; otherwise, the best-case scenario is that the client’s time and money are wasted. In worst cases, dyed hair, if not properly maintained, can end up damaged, falling out, and all that hard work in the salon becomes pointless.

So, we’re here today to provide you with our best advice for treating dyed hair, both in the salon and in between appointments. We’ll share our favourite products and treatments to keep stocked up to ensure your clients’ hair remains looking and feeling great, even after bleach and dye!

Which Professional Treatments Are Best for Dyed Hair?

First, let's start in the salon, the place where all great hair transformations begin! When colouring a client’s hair, it's crucial to use professional salon supplies that ensure high-quality results, leaving your clients in awe of their locks. Beyond the dye or bleach, the treatments and products you apply afterwards are equally important.

 For example, the CLEAN.tone range of O&M hair products is an absolute staple.

Available to suit a range of hair colours, from Copper to Platinum, these treatments are ideal for helping colour last and maintaining hair health. Applying the treatment is simple and can be done as part of a salon visit or in between visits at home:

1. Pop on a pair of gloves and massage the product onto the lengths and ends of washed and towel-dried hair.
2. If it’s the first time you’re using the product on a client, leave it on for three minutes. You can gradually build up the time with each use until the desired tone is reached (10 minutes max. The hair condition of each client will affect results).
3. Rinse out the product thoroughly until the water runs clear.

Using these treatments regularly not only helps a client maintain their colour but also keeps their mane healthy due to the gentle and nourishing ingredients each powerful bottle contains. For example, it is free from sulphates, MIT, and parabens and instead contains naturally derived fruit and lily extract to help soften hair and keep it glossy.

Why Looking into Ingredients Matters 

It is essential to look into the ingredients used in hair products, especially coloured hair products, before stocking them in your salon or sampling them for yourself. As you know, there are certain ingredients that strip dye from hair and cause damage, such as thinning and scalp irritation. Here are some of the main ingredients to avoid when using products on clients with coloured hair:

• Sulphates strip colour from the hair, leaving strands dull and uneven.
• Parabens also strip and fade colour and can also irritate and dry out the scalp.
• Sodium chloride (or salt) dries out the hair and also strips our dye.

While this isn’t an exhaustive list, if these three ingredients aren’t listed on the product, you’ll more than likely be safe to use it on coloured hair. However, it’s always best to thoroughly check the product descriptions, ask other industry professionals, and read reviews before purchasing a new product for your salon. So, with the above in mind, which ingredients are recommended for those with coloured hair? 

• Linseed oil works as a shield for the hair, protecting against fading.
• Rose helps to maintain colour and keep the vibrancy in between salon visits.
• Argan oil is present in many of the best products for coloured hair because of its deep conditioning nature.

Thankfully, we make selecting products with the best ingredients easy. Our range of hair products for coloured hair has some fantastic choices regardless of whether you’re doing foils or balayage. Take our EVERYGREEN Damaged Hair Mask, for example. Packed with ingredients such as the aforementioned argan oil, it is designed to revitalise damaged hair, keep colour shiny, and protect against fading.

The Importance of Conditioning 

Conditioning is one of the most important steps when caring for coloured hair. If you choose a professional hair conditioner, you can rest assured that your client’s hair will thank you! Here are just some of the benefits of conditioning dyed hair:

• Helps to lock in colour after the hair cuticles have opened up in hot water.
• Dyed hair is at risk of being dry, so conditioner works to keep it hydrated.
• Boosts shine and ensures hair remains silky and glossy.

At SBS, we have a range of hair conditioners targeted at those with coloured hair; for example, the INNOluxe Platinum Conditioner (left) is a great choice for those with bleach-blonde locks. It allows you to nourish, strengthen, and  moisturise  blonde hair, and with its violet pigments, it keeps strands icy blonde and without yellow tones.

Alternatively, we have the NINE YARDS True Cool Silver Conditioner (right) for your blonde-headed clients! This 100% vegan and cruelty-free conditioner isn’t just great for the planet, but it’s great for your hair, too. As the name suggests, it gives cool silver-toned hair in just one treatment while nourishing and moisturising from scalp to strand at the same time.

What Should Clients Do at Home? 

 As mentioned, clients can spend a lot of time and money at the salon, allowing you to work your magic on their hair. While a lot of the treatments take place in the chair, it’s important to ensure your client knows how to best look after their hair in between appointments.

One of the best things you can do as an industry professional is educate your clients. So, while you’re bleaching, toning, or colouring, pass on your expertise and give them the best advice for maintaining their colour and keeping their hair healthy, too. You’ll know each client is different, from their hair type to their length, to their natural colour, to their desired colour; there are many elements to consider, and each factor contributes to how they’ll best treat their hair at home.

As well as this, having a fully stocked salon will help your clients lock in their look for longer. This way, you can offer your in-salon products to clients to take away and use in the comfort of their own homes. You can buy professional hair products online right here at SBS. We have an extensive stocklist of products for coloured hair, including those highlighted in this blog. Don’t forget, you can sign up for Trade Registration and get access to discounts, wholesale prices, and next-day delivery (amongst other benefits) to get stocked up faster and for longer.