Colour that lasts, even after two weeks
Colour fades fastest in the first 72 hours after treatment. The biggest gain lies not in the product, but in what the customer does during that period: do not wash, no hot water, and then cleanse with a colour-fast shampoo without aggressive sulphates.
Why colour bleeds
During colouring, the hair cuticles open and the pH rises. The pigment is not yet fixed. Hot water and strongly cleansing shampoo open the cuticle again and wash away pigment, visible as coloured foam in the drain. Hair that is already porous due to previous bleaching or colouring holds pigment worse anyway.
What you give the customer
- Do not wash for the first 48 to 72 hours, so that the pigments can bond.
- After that, a maximum of two to three washes per week, with lukewarm water.
- Delicate shades such as red, copper, pastel and cool blonde shades fade faster. Always sell colour maintenance with these.
- If colour bleeds extremely quickly, first look at the porosity of the hair, not just the product.
What it solves
For maintenance between treatments, a colour-fast shampoo without aggressive cleansers works. Immediately after treatment, you finish with a professional after-colour cleanse. A leave-in that closes the cuticle gives shine and combability without weighing it down.
From the practice of KOOS
After years at the counter, we know that colour loss is not always due to the treatment. Heart medication and the menstrual cycle can also temporarily change the hair structure and thus affect the colour result. Keep that in mind if a customer keeps complaining about fast fading without a clear cause. And the silent saboteur we see most often is cheap silicone shampoo from the supermarket, which puts a layer on the hair where colour and care can no longer penetrate.
Professional tip for the mixing bowl: use a cloth instead of a brush to mix your colour or emulsion. You get a smoother, more even emulsion and thus a more even final result.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a customer wait to wash after colouring?
At least 48 hours, preferably 72 hours, so that the pigments can bond.
Why does red fade faster than brown?
Red and copper pigments are larger and less stable and wash out faster than deep browns.
Does a colour-fast shampoo really help?
Yes, provided it is without aggressive sulphates. Those cleanse too strongly and pull pigment with them.
If the hair does not hold colour, then look at recovery after chemical treatment: porous hair is often the real cause.
6+1 free
6+1 free
