How To Combat Hair Damage When Coloring, Balayage + Highlighting

The hair industry has seen a lot of changes in the past decade. With advancements in technology it is possible to achieve and maintain many different looks minimizing chemical damage to your hair. As a hair color expert in San Francisco, I'll discuss how you can combat hair damage when coloring your hair.

Hair care products are an essential investment for every person who cares about their appearance, but especially those who color their hair regularly. The are many brands promising all the same results, what I would like to achieve in this post is to inform you on products I use and believe in, when my client's visit me at Taylor Monroe Salon.

Before I get started on listing key ingredients and product suggestions, I'd like to point out the chemicals all haircolorist use that compromise your hair, to convince you to why you should trust your stylist when they suggest in-salon and at-home products and treatments to reverse the inevitable damage.

Hydrogen Peroxide and Ammonia are the two ingredients that salon professionals use to open and close the hair cuticle. When mixed together they reaction lifts the hair cuticle and delivers color molecules into the cortex of each strand.

-->How do we reverse this effect? Most haircolor will have a form of conditioner agent formulated within, however expert colorist use pH balancing treatments to further reverse the effects, sealing the hair cuticle so the color is locked-in and the hair shaft is smooth and shiny.

Bleach is a powder that is mixed with peroxide to lighten the hair. The bleach oxidizes the melanin molecule making it colorless, we then use toners to shift the color of the lighter pieces of hair.

-->How do we reverse this effect? We use amino acids and polypeptide chains to restore the broken sulfur bonds. Some affects the core of the hair, some only work in the inner and outer layer.

MEA (Monoethanolamine) and DEA (Diethanolamine) are used mostly in traditional "non-ammonia" haircolor.

-->How do we reverse this effect? We use a product called "Cationic Polymers" or simply, cationic treatments which closes the cuticle and create a protective barrier on the outside of each strand, repairing and preventing damage.

In Salon Treatments

K18 Hair is a patented peptide technology clinically proven to reverse damage in just 4 minutes. It heals damage from bleach, color, chemical services, and heat. Restores strength, softness, smoothness, and bounce. Doesn’t wash away with shampoo, leaving lasting results. Is vegan, color-safe, cruelty-free

Ola Plex is patented Bond Building technology using a patented single ingredient, Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate. Once all the bonds are intact and in alignment, you have healthy, beautiful, shiny, touchable hair. works on a molecular level to repair damaged and broken bonds

Wella Plex Bond Stabilizer strengthens the bonds, rebalances pH and strengthens the hair structure after chemical treatments.

Wella Post Treatment is a lightweight after-color treatment that protects and enhances oxidative (demi and permanent) color results. Optimized to work best with Wella Professionals color lines. Neutralizes oxidation residues and stabilizes color. Smoothens and gives shine to hair with Vitamin E.

Blondor Seal & Care the post-lightening treatment, specifically formulated for lightened hair. Conditions lightened hair, seals shine. The Acidic pH-value: conditions lightened hair after each Blondor lightening treatment

Maria Nila Silver Shot filled with treating and preserving ingredients, it will boost your hair and leave you with a soft, silky, and smooth result. The shot contains violet pigments, to help you keep the cool tones. If you’re aiming for a warmer outcome, leave it in for 3 minutes and it will provide you with the treatment without the violet pigments sticking.

Milbon Treatments uses Hydrolyzed keratins repair hair from the inside out. The 4 step treatment layers their patented SSVR-Silk™, CMADK™, and Cellulose to refresh & prolong results.

The 3 Step Rule To At Home Haircare

Your one time visit to the salon is not the last time you hair should be treated. Think about your routine skincare or routine diet plan, it must be done repeatedly.

Mask Up!

Depending on your hair type consider using a mask once a week or in replace of your normal conditioner- if your hair can withstand the concentrated moisture.

After shower, use a Leave In-Conditioner

Think of it this way, how often do you moisturize your face/ body after the shower...

Add Treatments

These type of products can be used in conjunction to your shampoo, conditioner, mask and leave-in. If you have a keratin based shampoo maybe buy an amino-acid based treatment. If your leave-in conditioner included moroccan oil consider using a high cosmetic grade silicone to protect the outer cuticle and lock in the moisture- get creative.

Lastly, the smell is very important to making your decision on buying products. There are many brands out there, it narrows down to finding your favorite scent and the right blend of ingredients that are absorbed by your hair as well as delivering results as you go through your beauty regimen and styling habits.