Silver is a beautiful color for hair, but it can sometimes be difficult to maintain. Hair color may start to fade or turn yellow. The bleaching process required to achieve a silver color is also very damaging to hair, making it rough and dry. However, with proper care you can enjoy the beauty of silver-colored hair with the risk of color fading, as well as small dry and coarse hair.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Washing and Conditioning Hair
Step 1. Wait for 1 week after staining before shampooing
If you want to treat silver-colored hair (not natural color), wash your hair with shampoo immediately after bleaching and condition your hair after coloring it. After the first shampooing and conditioning process, leave the hair for 1 week to allow it to recover and regain the lifted oil. If you wash your hair immediately after coloring your hair, you are at a higher risk of dryness and breakage.
Step 2. Condition your hair before washing it
Use coconut oil on your hair and make sure you spread it all over your hair. Leave it for 1 hour, then wash your hair with shampoo. You can also use a hair mask instead as long as the product can be used on dry hair. Leave the mask on for 5 minutes or the duration suggested on the package.
- For best results, use virgin coconut oil that has not been added to chemicals and processed with the cold-pressing technique.
- Cover your hair with a shower cap to protect the work area around you from oil droplets.
Step 3. Use a shampoo and conditioner for colored hair that doesn't contain sulfates
Focus on shampooing your roots and scalp, then apply conditioner from the middle to the ends of your hair. Don't forget to leave the conditioner on your hair for 1-2 minutes before rinsing your hair.
Sulfate is an ingredient commonly found in shampoos and conditioners. This substance can make hair dry and fade hair color
Step 4. Do deep conditioning 1-2 times a week with a hair mask
Choose a mask product that is formulated for dyed hair. Wash your hair first with shampoo, then rinse your hair. Use the mask while your hair is still wet. Wait for 3-5 minutes, then rinse your hair to remove the mask.
- Use a sulfate-free hair balm if your natural hair color is gray.
- If you can't find a hair mask for color-treated hair, look for a mask to moisturize or repair your hair. Check the product's ingredient list to make sure the mask doesn't contain sulfates.
Step 5. Use cold or warm water to wash and rinse hair
Hot water can damage your hair and make it worse on colored hair. Water temperature that is too high can also accelerate the fading of hair color. You can make the color last longer by shampooing and rinsing your hair with cold or warm water. The lower water temperature also helps make hair appear shinier and smoother.
Rinse your hair with cold water to remove any remaining conditioner, seal the cuticles, and hold moisture in your hair
Step 6. Wash only 1-2 times a week
Gray or silver hair dyes fade faster than other hair dyes, so the less you wash your hair, the longer the color will last. If your hair is not too oily, wash it once a week. If your hair tends to get oily easily, don't wash it more than twice a week.
Use dry shampoo when you're not washing your hair if your hair starts to look greasy or dirty
Part 2 of 3: Protecting Hair and Heat Damage
Step 1. Limit styling with a heat source to keep hair healthy and color bright
Dry your hair naturally if possible and try to accept the natural texture of your hair. Styling your hair with a heat source not only damages your hair, it also speeds up the color fading. Heat-free drying and styling methods help keep hair healthy and maintain its color.
Step 2. Use a low temperature setting if you need to style your hair with a heat source
These tools include dryers, curlers, and straighteners. If the curling iron or straightener has an adjustable temperature setting, use a temperature setting between 150-175°C, or 120-135°C if your hair is very fine and thin.
Make sure your hair is completely dry before you straighten or curl it
Step 3. Always use protective products when styling your hair with a heat source
Use protective products while your hair is still wet. If you want to use it on dry hair, make sure the product is allowed to dry first. Otherwise, the product will burn on your hair when you use a heat sourced styling tool. After using the product, you can dry, curl or straighten your hair as usual.
- Make sure you apply a protective product all over your hair, and not just the ends or roots. Do not be too "stingy" when using this product.
- Hair protection products from heat are available in various forms, such as sprays, serums, creams, and others. Look for products labeled “heat protectant” or “heat protection”.
Step 4. Use the no-heat method to curl your hair
This method takes longer than curling irons, but is much more hair-friendly. Wet your hair, then roll it using a hair roller. Let your hair dry naturally, then remove the rollers. Use your fingers to separate or loosen the curls you get, but don't brush your hair.
- Try using the rollers at night before going to bed and letting your hair dry in the rollers overnight.
- You can also style your hair in a bun or braid if you want.
Part 3 of 3: Maintaining Color Consistency
Step 1. Use a silver, purple, or gray color-deposit shampoo
Use a purple shampoo if a yellowish tinge starts to appear on your hair, and a silver or gray shampoo if the color starts to fade. Wet hair and use shampoo. Leave it on for the duration recommended on the package (usually 5-30 minutes), then rinse your hair.
- Leave the shampoo on for just 5 minutes on the first use to see how strong it is on your hair.
- Blue shampoo is an alternative product to purple shampoo. This product is better suited for silver or gray hair, and may be labeled as such.
- You can buy color-enhancing shampoo at beauty supply stores.
Step 2. Alternately use colored shampoo and color enhancing shampoo
If you use color-enhancing shampoo too often, you may end up changing your hair color. Use shampoo/conditioner for colored hair once or twice a week. Every 2-3 weeks, use a color enhancing shampoo/conditioner.
- For example, using purple shampoo too often (eg every day) can actually make silver hair appear purplish.
- Feel free to use different types of purple shampoo. There are some products that look like purple paint, as well as products that look like shimmery conditioner. You can even mix the two together to create a unique mix.
Step 3. Use a gray or silver temporary rinse to even out the hair color
Products like these can lift, so you need to use them after you've washed your hair and while your hair is still damp. Apply the product to your hair, then let your hair air dry, or use a blow dryer to speed up the drying process.
- This product can leave stains. Use an unused towel when you dry your hair.
- If you don't find an application bottle comfortable to use, try using a spray bottle.
Step 4. Perform a toning treatment if color enhancing products are not enough
It's a good idea to undergo this treatment at a salon, although you can do it yourself at home. If you get this treatment at a salon, undergo the treatment at the same time as a root touch-up. When doing it yourself at home, use a low volume developer cream and white or platinum colored toner.
You can also do a bleach bath every 1-2 months. Get this treatment professionally at a salon, and keep in mind that bleach baths can cause damage to your hair
Step 5. Recolor the hair roots (root re-touch) as they begin to grow
Although the spacing between root stains differs based on the speed at which hair grows, most people get this treatment every 4-8 weeks. Because it requires skilled hands, it's a good idea to get this treatment at a salon. If the cost is too high, ask a friend or other family member for help.
If you ask a friend or family member for help, make sure they have experience bleaching or coloring their hair
Tips
- Some people can use purple shampoo or color enhancer every time they wash their hair. However, how often you use it will depend on the color you want.
- Take advantage of hair oil and cream conditioners. These products are more effective on damp hair because in this condition, the hair can absorb the product better.
- You can use these methods even if your hair is naturally silver.
