Q: Hi! I just went today from brown hair to red hair. How long will the red last? How do I prevent it from fading too
fast? Will the red rub off onto my pillow tonight or not? Thanks and greatly appreciated.
A: A good long-lasting red color is sometimes difficult to manage. Red haircolor is usually the fastest to fade, and is most
susceptible to becoming brassy. However, permanent haircolor generally is permanent, but does get dulled down by frequent shampooing.
The best way to care for red colored hair is to follow the guidelines laid out by your
stylist. If you did the color yourself at home, you can usually find “after color” conditioner treatments that will help to
smooth the cuticle layer and lock in the haircolor, making it last longer before dulling.
In addition, many makers offer tinted shampoos for color-treated hair that will give your hair
just a touch of color boost when used. Just select a formula designed for your color (red) and you can help to prolong the color.
As to rub-off of the color on bed linens, etc., this can happen and is not uncommon. Most red
haircolors are high-saturation and many women experience some rub-off onto fabrics that come in contact with the hair. It all
depends on the color used, the porosity of the hair, and whether or not the cuticle layer was sealed.
You can usually prevent the color rub-off by wearing a sleeping cap. And if you do get color
stains on your pillowcases, you can usually remove them by using bleach on whites in the wash, or by using an oxygenated stain
remover. For red stain on the skin, there are products available at your local beauty supply store that will remove haircolor
stain from skin easily, without affecting the color in the hair.
