Which Type of Shampoo Should Be Used on Highlighted Hair

What Is Highlighted Hair

Highlighted hair involves lightening strategic sections of hair to add brightness and dimension to your natural hair color. Highlights can work on any base hair color, from dark brown to light blonde. The process uses bleach or high-lift permanent dyes to strip the natural pigment from selected strands, making them shades lighter than the rest of your hair.

There are several different highlighting techniques that can create various effects:

• Traditional foil highlights place lightener on thin sections of hair which are then wrapped in foil to process. This allows for very precise placement of highlights.
• Balayage is a freehand technique where lightener is painted onto the hair in sweeping motions. This creates a soft, blended, sun-kissed look.
• Babylights are very delicate, thin highlights that mimic the subtle dimension seen in children’s hair. These require weaving very small sections of hair for an ultra-natural result.
• Chunky highlights feature thicker, bolder strips of lightened hair for a more dramatic contrasting effect. These were very popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

The overall goal with highlighting is to lighten portions of your hair while leaving some of your natural base color showing through. This interplay of light and dark tones creates the illusion of depth and dimension in the hair. Highlights can also impart a brightening effect on your overall hair color.

Why Does Highlighted Hair Require Special Care?

The process of highlighting hair causes damage and dryness for several reasons:

1. Bleach and high-lift dyes work by penetrating the hair cuticle and dissolving the natural melanin pigments inside the hair shaft. This allows the new, lighter color to take its place. However, this process also breaks down the proteins that give hair its strength and structure.
2. Highlighted hair is more porous than virgin hair. The cuticle is left more open and raised after lightening. This makes highlighted hair more vulnerable to moisture loss, tangling, and breakage. The hair may feel dry, rough, and straw-like after highlighting.
3. Highlighted strands are more susceptible to UV and thermal damage. The chemicals used in highlighting make those sections of hair weaker and less resilient. Heat styling and sun exposure can exacerbate dryness and lead to color fading.
4. Highlighted hair has special needs in terms of cleansing, moisturizing, and color maintenance. Using the wrong products can strip away the hair dye, alter the hue, and worsen damage and dehydration.

For these reasons, highlighted hair requires specialized care and products to stay healthy, strong, and vibrant. Using shampoos and conditioners specifically formulated for color-treated hair is essential for keeping your highlights looking their best.

Why Are Special Shampoos Necessary for Highlighted Hair?

Shampoos designed for highlighted hair serve several important functions:

Gentle Cleansing

• Highlighted hair needs a mild, sulfate-free shampoo that won’t strip away moisture or fade the hair color.
• Harsh detergents like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) can be too stripping for fragile, color-treated hair.
• Sulfate-free shampoos use milder surfactants to cleanse the hair without disrupting the hair dye or moisture balance.

Color Protection

• Shampoos for highlighted hair often contain ingredients that help preserve and enhance the vibrancy of your hair color.
• UV filters protect the hair from the sun’s color-fading rays.
• Antioxidants help neutralize free radicals that can dull and alter your hair color.
• Some formulas deposit subtle tones to refresh your highlights between salon visits.

Moisture and Strength

• Since highlighted hair is more porous and dry, it needs extra hydration from washing and styling products.
• Shampoos for highlighted hair often contain humectants, emollients, and proteins that attract moisture, smooth the hair cuticle, and temporarily patch up damage to fortify strands.

Preventing Brassiness

• Highlighted hair, especially blonde and light brown hues, is prone to developing brassy, orange tones over time.
• Purple shampoos contain violet pigments that neutralize unwanted warm tones to keep highlights cool and bright.
• Blue shampoos are used for deeper brunette hues to counteract orange brassiness.

Using regular shampoos on highlighted hair can lead to color fading, moisture loss, brassiness, and damage. Color-safe shampoos are essential for maintaining the integrity and appearance of your highlights.

What Ingredients Should You Look for in Shampoos for Highlighted Hair?

When shopping for shampoos for your highlighted hair, look for formulas that feature some of these key ingredients:

In addition to these nourishing ingredients, look for shampoos that are free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, and harsh alcohols. The formula should be gentle enough for daily use if needed. If brassiness is a concern, opt for a purple or blue shampoo to neutralize unwanted warm tones.

What Are the Top Recommended Shampoos for Highlighted Hair?

With so many color-safe shampoos on the market, it can be overwhelming to find the ideal one for your highlighted hair. Here are some of the top recommended shampoos for highlighted tresses:

Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo

• This reparative shampoo features Olaplex’s patented bond-building technology to strengthen highlighted hair from within.
• It gently cleanses while repairing broken protein bonds to restore hair health.
• Highlighted hair is left stronger, shinier, and more resilient to damage.

Pureology Hydrate Sheer Shampoo

• Highlighted hair that is on the finer side will love this lightweight moisturizing shampoo.
• The sulfate-free formula gently cleanses while imparting airweight hydration.
• A blend of sage, green tea, and chamomile extracts protect color vibrancy.
• The fresh aromatherapy fragrance energizes the senses.

Matrix Total Results So Silver Shampoo

• Blonde and silver highlights can develop brassy tones that diminish their icy, pristine appearance.
• This purple shampoo deposits violet pigments to neutralize unwanted yellow tones while gently cleansing the hair.
• Highlights are left cooler, brighter, and healthier-looking.

Redken Color Extend Magnetics Shampoo

• This color-preserving shampoo is infused with a Charge-Attract Complex that locks color pigments inside the hair shaft for up to 4 weeks.
• The gentle sulfate-free formula also contains amino acids to strengthen highlighted strands.
• Hair color stays truer and more vibrant for longer.

Joico Color Balance Blue Shampoo

• Brunette highlights can turn orange and brassy without the proper toning shampoo.
• This blue-hued formula keeps deep brown hues cool and brass-free.
• The gentle lather respects hair’s moisture balance while maximizing color vibrancy and shine.

L’Oreal Professionnel Serie Expert Vitamino Color Shampoo

• Highlighted hair will drink up this nourishing, color-preserving shampoo.
• The lush lather gently eliminates impurities while restorative ingredients lock in moisture and vibrancy.
• Highlights look salon-fresh and expensive between appointments.

With one of these top recommended shampoos, you can maintain the vibrancy and health of your highlighted hair, ensuring it looks beautiful and feels great.

Common Mistakes to Avoid With Highlighted Hair

To keep your highlighted hair healthy and beautiful, avoid making these common mistakes:

Washing Hair Too Frequently

• Over-shampooing can fade your highlights and dry out your hair. Try to shampoo every 2-3 days and use dry shampoo to refresh hair between washes.
• When you do cleanse, use a sulfate-free, color-safe shampoo.

Using Hot Water

• Piping hot water can strip away your hair’s natural oils and open up the cuticle, leading to color fading and moisture loss.
• Rinse your highlighted hair with lukewarm or cool water instead. The cooler temperature will also help seal the cuticle for added shine.

Rough Drying

• Highlighted hair is more delicate and damage-prone, so go easy with your drying routine.
• Gently squeeze excess water from your hair with a soft microfiber towel or old t-shirt.
• Allow hair to air dry when possible. If using a blow dryer, keep it on the lowest heat setting and use a diffuser attachment to minimize direct heat.

Skipping Heat Protectant

• Highlighted strands are more susceptible to heat damage from styling tools.
• Always apply a heat protectant product before blow drying, flat ironing, or curling your hair. Look for lightweight formulas that won’t weigh down your highlights.

Over-Processing Hair

• Highlighting hair too often can lead to severe damage, breakage, and color issues.
• Try to space out your highlighting appointments by at least 8-12 weeks.
• If you have very fine or damaged hair, consider highlights that only target the face-framing sections to minimize chemical stress on the hair.

Not Using Hair Masks

• Highlighted hair needs regular deep conditioning treatments to stay soft, smooth, and resilient.
• Use a hair mask or deep conditioner at least once per week. Look for formulas that are specially designed for color-treated hair and contain reparative proteins and moisturizing oils.

Swimming Unprotected

• Chlorinated pool water and salt water can wreak havoc on highlighted hair, leading to color fading, brassiness, dryness, and damage.
• Before swimming, saturate your hair with clean water and apply a leave-in conditioner to prevent your hair from absorbing the damaging water.
• You can also wear a swim cap for added protection.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can maintain the vibrancy and health of your highlighted hair, ensuring it looks beautiful and feels great.

How to Maintain Hair Health Post-Highlighting

Proper at-home care is essential for maintaining the health and beauty of your highlighted hair. Follow these tips to keep your highlights looking fresh and your hair feeling soft and strong:

Wait to Shampoo

• Avoid washing your hair for at least 48 hours after getting your highlights done. This allows time for the hair cuticle to close and the color to set.
• Premature shampooing can lead to color fading and dullness.

Use Color-Safe Products

• Switch your regular shampoo and conditioner for color-safe formulas that are designed for highlighted hair.
• Look for products that are sulfate-free, moisturizing, and color-preserving.

Shampoo Less Often

• Try to extend the time between shampoos to prevent stripping moisture and color from your highlighted hair.
• Use a dry shampoo in between washes to absorb excess oil and add volume at the roots.

Condition Correctly

• Using conditioner is crucial for keeping highlighted hair soft, smooth, and hydrated.
• Apply conditioner only from the mid-lengths to ends of your hair, avoiding the roots.
• Rinse with cool water to seal the cuticle for added shine.

Deep Condition Weekly

• Give your highlighted hair a moisture boost with a weekly deep conditioning treatment or hair mask.
• Look for formulas that contain nourishing ingredients like argan oil, shea butter, and keratin.
• Apply to damp hair, comb through for even distribution, and leave on for at least 5-10 minutes before rinsing.

Protect from Heat

• Minimize heat damage by air drying your hair when possible.
• When using heat styling tools, always apply a heat protectant product first.
• Use the lowest heat setting that still allows you to achieve the desired style.
• Invest in ceramic or tourmaline tools that provide even heat distribution.

Get Regular Trims

• Highlighted hair is prone to dryness and splitting, especially on the ends.
• Trim off any damaged ends every 6-8 weeks to keep your hair healthy and your color looking fresh.
• Regular trims will also help prevent the formation of split ends.

Protect from the Sun

• UV rays can fade and alter your highlight color, leading to brassiness and dullness.
• Protect your hair from the sun by wearing a hat or scarf when outdoors for extended periods.
• You can also use hair products that contain UV filters for added protection.

Eat a Healthy Diet

• The health of your hair is directly impacted by the nutrients you consume.
• Eat a balanced diet rich in protein, healthy fats, and antioxidants to promote strong, shiny hair.
• Foods like salmon, avocados, nuts, berries, and leafy greens are especially beneficial for color-treated hair.

Stay Hydrated

• Drinking plenty of water is essential for maintaining the moisture balance of your hair and skin.
• Aim for at least 8 glasses of water per day to keep your body and hair properly hydrated.
• You can also use a humidifier in your home to add moisture to the air and prevent your hair from drying out.