How to Care for Blonde or Balayage Hair at Home

After a lightening session your hair becomes more fragile. It is important that you are gentle with your lightened hair and have a routine in place at home to care for your lightened hair.

Here are a few tips for caring for your blonde or balayage hair at home.

1. Trim your ends every 6-8 weeks.

This will help to maintain your hairs volume as it grows. Lightened hair is more fragile and therefore more prone to split ends. Frequent cuts ensure that you are removing any split ends before they travel up the hair shaft. The quicker a split end is cut, the less time it has to travel up the hair shaft saving you length. Removing the split ends frequently ensures that your hair stays thick as it grows.

2. Use purple shampoo as infrequently as possible.

Purple shampoo can be used to maintain cool tones at home. It works to neutralize warm yellow tones, to keep your blonde bright between salon visits.

Purple shampoo should only be used on an as needed basis. The less frequent the better. Over use of purple shampoo can lead to a dry scalp or dull colour.

3. Keep hair strands moisturized! Your hair strand requires moisture in order to reduce tangles + friction. Proper moisture helps to maintain your hairs shine and texture. Oil your hair at least once a day. For blonde hair a light oil is recommended like argan oil, be generous i application but keep the oil off of your scalp.

4. Use professional quality shampoos + conditioners free of sulphates. This does not mean that you can "only" purchase products from your hairstylist, just be aware of the ingredients in the products you use.

Why not sulphates? Sulphates can dry your hair strands, leading to brittle hair. It is best to avoid hair products that contain sulphates.

5. Remember that lightened hair is more fragile. Be gentle when wrapping or drying your hair. Tie your hair in a low braid or pony when sleeping to avoid friction that may lead to breakage.

6. Use a bond builder consistently.

Olaplex is sold in studio, however there are many other alternatives. Bond builders, do NOT contain protein. A bond builder works to restore the disulphide bond that may become altered during the lightening process. It helps to reverse and prevent split ends and keep hair strong.

7. Stay away from protein builders.

Protein builders are not for all hair types and can cause more damage than good if not used correctly. This includes keratin masks. Often times they feel great at first, because protein masks work by filling your hair cuticle with proteins. Unfortunately. this often leads to the protein rupturing the hair cuticle and causing breakage.

These treatments are great for coarse, unlighted hair. Coarse hair has the capacity to hold the protein in its larger cuticle. Fine or lightened hair has a much finer diameter per hair strand, resulting in the protein rupturing the cuticle.

8. Always use heat protectant.

Let's repeat it, blonde hair is fragile! Your hair needs protection from sun, heat and other environmental elements. Before using hot tools (curling iron, blow dryer, straightener) apply heat protectant. When going outside in the sun try to cover your hair with a hat or use heat protectant that contains SPF. Your hair has cuticles just like your skin, that can become deprived of moisture from the sun. A heat protectant will help seal in the moisture to keep your hair looking shiny and feeling smooth.