A Professional Salon Guide
If your hair colour fades faster than expected, it’s rarely just “bad colour”.
Professionals know that colour fade is usually caused by daily habits, water quality, heat styling and incorrect products — not the salon service itself.
In this guide, we’ll explain why colour fades, the most common mistakes that speed it up, and how professionals protect hair colour so it stays vibrant, glossy and salon-fresh for longer.
Why Does Hair Colour Fade?
Hair colour fades when the cuticle opens and colour pigments escape. This can be caused by:
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Washing too frequently or with harsh shampoos
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UV exposure from sunlight
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Heat styling without protection
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Hard water mineral build-up
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Over-clarifying or incorrect toning
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Hair damage and dryness
The more compromised the hair, the faster colour fades.
1️⃣ Use a Colour-Protecting Shampoo (Not Just Any Shampoo)
One of the biggest mistakes professionals see is using the wrong shampoo.
Colour-safe shampoos are designed to:
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Cleanse gently
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Help lock colour pigments into the hair
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Protect the keratin structure
A professional option like System Professional Color Save Shampoo helps maintain vibrancy while keeping hair soft and shiny.
💡 Professional tip:
If hair is coloured and damaged, alternate a colour shampoo with a repair shampoo — not a harsh cleanser.
2️⃣ Protect Hair from UV Exposure
Sunlight fades hair colour just like it fades fabric.
Professionals recommend:
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UV-protective shampoos and leave-ins
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Wearing hats in strong sunlight
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Avoiding excessive sun exposure on freshly coloured hair
UV filters help slow colour fade and keep hair looking glossy.
3️⃣ Always Use Heat Protection
Heat is one of the fastest ways to fade colour.
Unprotected heat:
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Opens the cuticle
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Evaporates moisture
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Speeds up pigment loss
Professionals never heat-style coloured hair without protection.
Lightweight, professional protectants help preserve colour while styling.
4️⃣ Clarify Occasionally — But Carefully
Build-up from hard water and styling products can make colour look dull and uneven.
However:
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Over-clarifying can strip colour
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Never clarify too often
Professionals recommend gentle clarifying occasionally, followed immediately by conditioning or repair.
If colour looks flat or products stop working, a controlled reset can help.
5️⃣ Balance Toning with Conditioning
For blondes and highlighted hair, toning is important — but over-toning causes dryness and dullness.
Professional rule:
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Tone only when needed
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Maintain hair health in between
Blonde care ranges like Davines HEART OF GLASS are designed to support tone and strength, without relying on constant purple shampoo use.
6️⃣ Repair Hair to Hold Colour Better
Healthy hair holds colour longer.
When hair is damaged:
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The cuticle stays open
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Pigments escape faster
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Colour looks dull sooner
Professionals often combine colour care with bond-repair treatments like Olaplex, which help strengthen the hair so colour lasts longer.
7️⃣ Wash Smarter, Not Harder
Simple habit changes make a big difference:
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Avoid very hot water
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Don’t overwash
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Use professional products consistently
Colour longevity improves when hair is treated gently.
The Professional Colour Fade Prevention Routine
Stylists follow a simple structure:
1️⃣ Gentle, colour-protecting cleanse
2️⃣ Regular conditioning or repair
3️⃣ Heat & UV protection
4️⃣ Occasional clarifying (if needed)
This keeps colour vibrant and hair healthy.
👉 Explore our Colour Care Salon Routine to remove the guesswork.
Final Professional Advice
Colour fade isn’t inevitable — it’s preventable.
With the right products, protection and routine, hair colour can stay vibrant, glossy and fresh for weeks longer.
If your colour fades quickly, don’t blame the dye.
Change the routine.
👉 Read Color Save vs Repair Shampoo: Which One Does Your Hair Need?
👉 Or visit our Start Here: Professional Haircare Hub
