7 Mistakes You're Making with Your Post-Color Hair Care (And How Our Hairdressers in Concord NH Can Fix Them)

atory8
Jul 13
4 min read

GET THE BEST COLOR IN CONCORD Fresh color changes everything. You leave The Color Lounge Salon & Spa feeling like a new person. Our stylists are the best in Concord for a reason. We create transformative looks. But the work doesn't end when you leave the chair.

Maintaining that "just-left-the-salon" glow takes effort. Most clients make small mistakes that lead to fast fading. Dullness. Brassiness. Dryness. We see it every day.

Here are the 7 biggest mistakes you’re making with your post-color hair care and exactly how to fix them.

1. WASHING TOO SOON AFTER YOUR APPOINTMENT

MISTAKE: Heading straight to the shower 24 hours after your color service. WHY IT MATTERS: Hair cuticles stay open after chemical processing. Pigment needs time to settle. Washing early literally rinses your investment down the drain.

Wait 72 hours. Give the cuticle time to close completely.
Set a timer. Don't guess. 3 full days is the gold standard.
Use dry shampoo. If your roots feel oily on day 2, use a professional dry spray.

HOW OUR CONCORD STYLISTS FIX IT: We apply a post-color sealer at the bowl. This helps lock in the shade. We also provide specific timelines based on your color type (vivids need more time than highlights).

2. USING SULFATES AND HARSH DRUGSTORE PRODUCTS

MISTAKE: Buying "color-safe" labels at the grocery store. WHY IT MATTERS: Most reg. shampoos contain sodium lauryl sulfate. It’s a harsh detergent. It strips natural oils and artificial color.

PROFESSIONAL PRODUCT COMPARISON:

Feature	Professional (The Color Lounge)	Drugstore (Generic)
Price	$25 - $40	$5 - $12
Concentration	High (Less product needed)	Low (Mostly water)
Sulfates	Zero	High
pH Balance	Acidic (Closes cuticle)	Alkaline (Opens cuticle)

Professional sulfate-free hair care products on a salon shelf

Read the label. Avoid "Sodium Laureth Sulfate."
Focus on pH. Colored hair needs a pH between 4.5 and 5.5.
Invest in longevity. Professional products keep color vibrant for 6+ weeks.

3. TURNING UP THE HEAT IN THE SHOWER

MISTAKE: Taking a steaming hot shower to relax. WHY IT MATTERS: Hot water opens the hair cuticle. This allows color molecules to escape. It also causes frizz and moisture loss.

Lukewarm is best. If it’s steaming, it’s too hot for your hair.
The Cold Rinse. Use cool water for your final rinse. It seals the cuticle.
Clip it up. Keep your hair out of the water while you wash your body with hot water.

THE CONCORD PRO TIP: Wash your hair in the sink if you can't stand a lukewarm shower. It’s the easiest way to control the temp without freezing your toes.

Stylist washing hair with cool water at The Color Lounge

4. WASHING YOUR HAIR EVERY SINGLE DAY

MISTAKE: Thinking daily washing is necessary for "clean" hair. WHY IT MATTERS: Every time you wet your hair, the color fades. Water is the biggest enemy of hair color: even more than shampoo.

IDEAL WASHING SCHEDULE:

5. SKIPPING HEAT PROTECTANT DURING STYLING

MISTAKE: Going straight in with the flat iron or blow dryer on bare hair. WHY IT MATTERS: High heat oxidizes color. It turns blondes brassy and brunettes red. It also fries the cuticle, making hair look dull.

Always apply a barrier. Use a professional heat spray on damp hair.
Lower the temp. Most irons don't need to be at 450°F. Stay around 300°F.
One pass only. Don't iron the same section five times.

Professional heat protectant spray being applied to hair

HOW WE HELP: Our stylists at The Color Lounge Salon & Spa can show you the exact amount of product to use. Too much weighs hair down. Too little does nothing.

6. JUMPING INTO THE POOL WITHOUT A PLAN

MISTAKE: Diving into chlorinated or salt water with dry hair. WHY IT MATTERS: Dry hair is like a sponge. It will soak up the chlorine and salt immediately. Chlorine can turn blonde hair green and strip red tones in minutes.

The Wetting Technique. Soak your hair with tap water before entering the pool.
Coat with conditioner. Apply a leave-in treatment to wet hair before swimming.
Rinse immediately. Wash out the salt/chlorine as soon as you get out.

7. NEGLECTING UV PROTECTION AND MOISTURE

MISTAKE: Spending hours in the sun without a hat or UV spray. WHY IT MATTERS: The sun is a natural bleach. It destroys hair color and dries out the hair shaft.

Wear a hat. Physical barriers are the best protection.
UV Sprays. Use a hair-specific sunscreen spray.
Weekly Masks. Use a deep conditioning treatment once a week to repair sun damage.

Woman wearing a wide-brimmed hat to protect hair color from the sun

THE CONCORD PRO FIX: TONING AND GLAZING

Sometimes, you do everything right and the color still loses its "pop." This is normal. Environmental factors like hard water in Concord can take a toll.

THE SOLUTION: Book a "Glaze and Go" or a Toning treatment between full color appointments.

BENEFITS:

Reg. Price: $80+ (Full Color)
Special Price: $45 - $60 (Gloss/Toner)
Time: 30-45 minutes.
Result: Restored shine and corrected tone.

Vibrant hair glaze being mixed at a Concord NH salon

READY FOR A TRANSFORMATION?

Don't settle for dull, fading color. Whether you need a fresh set of highlights, a bold fashion color, or a restorative treatment, the best hairdressers in Concord NH are here to help. We focus on the health of your hair as much as the look.

Visit our website to see our latest transformations: https://atory8.wixsite.com/the-color-lounge

CALL US TO BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT: Schedule your next session by calling 603-856-8057.

We don't just do hair. We help you become a better version of yourself. See you in the chair!

THE COLOR LOUNGE SALON & SPA Concord, NH Full-Service Hair Salon & Bridal Specialists