Color Treatment Aftercare

The first two days are critical for letting your color set and bond to your hair. A little patience now means much longer-lasting color.

• Don't wash your hair for 48 hours. This gives the color molecules time to fully penetrate and lock into the hair shaft. The longer you wait, the better.
• Stay away from pools, hot tubs, and salt water. Chlorine and salt can strip freshly applied color very quickly. If you can't avoid it, wet your hair with clean water first and apply conditioner as a protective barrier.
• Avoid heat styling. Give your hair a break from flat irons and blow dryers for the first few days. Heat opens the cuticle, which can release color.
• Keep it cool. If you do get your hair wet (rain, etc.), avoid hot water. Cool or lukewarm water is your friend.

Color-treated curly hair needs a little extra love. These habits will keep your color vibrant and your curls healthy.

• Use color-safe, sulfate-free shampoo. Sulfates are harsh detergents that strip color fast. Switch to a gentle, color-safe formula. [Product recommendation TBD — will update with Jessica's picks]
• Wash with cool or lukewarm water. Hot water opens the hair cuticle and lets color escape. Cooler water helps seal the cuticle and lock color in.
• Deep condition weekly. Color processing can dry out your hair. A weekly deep conditioning treatment restores moisture and keeps your curls bouncy. This also helps your color look more vibrant.
• Use UV protectant spray. Sun exposure fades color over time. If you're spending time outdoors, use a hair sunscreen or wear a hat.
• Limit heat styling. Always use a heat protectant when you do style with heat. Lower temperatures are better for color-treated hair.
• Wash less frequently. Every wash fades color a little. Try to extend time between washes — your curly hair will thank you anyway.

• Clarifying shampoos — they're designed to strip buildup, and they'll strip your color too.
• Baking soda or apple cider vinegar rinses — these are too harsh for color-treated hair.
• Excessive sun exposure without protection — UV rays break down color molecules.
• Very hot showers — even if they feel amazing, your color disagrees.

Color refresh timing depends on the type of service:

• All-over color / root touch-up: Every 4–6 weeks
• Fantasy colors / vivids: Every 4–8 weeks (these fade faster)
• Gray coverage: Every 4–6 weeks

[Rebooking intervals TBD — will customize based on Jessica's recommendations]