Whether you’re a blonde or a brunette, highlights are an excellent way to brighten up your look and add some dimension to your hair. However, if you’ve recently added highlights to your hair, you may have noticed that they’ve left your locks feeling dry and brittle. That’s because the bleach used to lighten your hair can strip it of its natural oils and moisture, leaving it prone to breakage and frizz.
But don’t worry: there are plenty of ways to soften your hair after highlights and restore its natural shine and bounce. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best tips and tricks for nourishing and hydrating your hair after a highlight treatment, so you can enjoy the benefits of your new look without sacrificing healthy, luscious locks.
Understanding the Impact of Highlights on Your Hair Texture
When it comes to highlights, there’s no denying the instant boost of radiance they can give your hair. However, those gorgeous streaks of color do come with a price, and that’s harsh chemicals that can severely damage the hair texture. Bleaching and coloring agents in hair highlighting products can strip away the natural oil and moisture content in your hair, leaving it dry, frizzy, and brittle.
The impact of highlights on your hair texture can vary, depending on factors such as the strength and type of the product used, the duration of application, and the existing condition of your hair. While some people may notice a negligible change in texture, others may experience more significant damage, with the hair feeling rough, weak, and prone to breakage. Understanding the impact that highlights can have on your hair is crucial if you want to take steps to soften and nourish it back to health.
The Importance of Deep Conditioning for Highlighted Hair
After highlighting your hair, it’s essential to keep it nourished and moisturized to avoid dryness and breakage. Deep conditioning is one of the best solutions to restore and maintain your hair’s health and softness. This treatment is crucial for highlighted hair, as it tends to be more fragile and prone to damage due to the highlighting process.
Deep conditioning works on restoring your hair’s natural oils, proteins, and moisture that might have been lost during the highlighting process. This treatment can be done at home or by a professional, depending on your hair’s needs. The ideal deep conditioning product should contain natural ingredients like avocado oil, shea butter, and coconut oil for maximum hydration and nourishment. With consistent deep conditioning, you can soften and protect your highlighted hair, giving it a smooth and healthy texture.
Effective Ways to Use Natural Oils and Butters to Soften Your Hair
Natural oils and butters are a great way to soften and moisturize your hair after highlights. These oils and butters help to replenish the lost moisture from your hair during the highlights process. Some of the best natural oils and butters for softening hair after highlights include coconut oil, avocado oil, shea butter, and argan oil.
One effective way to use natural oils and butters is by creating a hair mask. For example, mix coconut oil with honey and apply the mixture to your hair before shampooing. Leave it on for 20-30 minutes, then wash your hair as usual. Another way to use natural oils and butters is to apply them as a leave-in treatment. After washing your hair, apply a small amount of your chosen oil or butter to the ends of your hair. This will help to seal in moisture and prevent breakage.
Choosing the Right Shampoo and Conditioner for Softening Highlighted Hair
Choosing the right shampoo and conditioner is essential to soften highlighted hair. Highlighted hair needs a gentle shampoo that helps to hydrate the hair and add moisture. Look for a shampoo that is sulfate-free and has ingredients like chamomile, avocado, or argan oil. Sulfate-free shampoos are gentle on hair and scalp and are less likely to strip the hair of its natural oils.
A conditioner is also crucial to keep the hair soft and moisturized. Look for a conditioner specially formulated for highlighted hair that contains keratin, biotin, or coconut oil. These ingredients help to repair and strengthen the hair strands, making them soft and silky. It’s essential to use the conditioner on the ends of your hair without avoiding the scalp, as highlighted hair tends to be fragile and break easily. With the right hair care products, you can enjoy soft, lustrous, and healthy-looking hair, even after highlights.
How to Minimize Damage and Breakage After Getting Highlights
After getting highlights, your hair becomes vulnerable to damage and breakage due to the chemicals used during the highlighting process. Therefore, it is essential to take good care of your hair to minimize damage. First and foremost, avoid heat styling tools such as blowdryers, straighteners, and curling irons as these devices can cause damage to your hair. Instead, air-dry your hair to prevent further harm.
You can also opt for hair care products specifically formulated for colored hair, as they contain ingredients that protect your hair from damage. Hair masks and deep conditioning treatments that contain keratin and other strengthening agents can also help to rebuild and repair your hair. Regular trims can also help remove the damaged ends and enable healthy hair growth. With these simple steps, you can minimize damage and breakage and keep your hair healthy, soft, and shiny after getting highlights.
Tips for Maintaining Soft, Smooth Hair Between Highlight Touch-Ups
Maintaining soft and smooth hair can be a challenge, especially if you’ve recently had highlights done. However, to avoid frequent trips to the salon, taking good care of your hair is important. Here are some tips to help you keep your hair in good condition between touch-ups.
First, use a sulfate-free shampoo to protect your hair from harsh chemicals. Sulfate can strip your hair of natural oils that it needs to stay healthy. Secondly, make conditioning a regular part of your hair care routine. Use a deep conditioning treatment once a week to keep your hair moisturized and prevent breakage. Thirdly, try not to use too much heat on your hair. Use a heat protectant spray when styling, and avoid using the highest heat setting on styling tools. Lastly, avoid tight hairstyles that can cause tension on your hair. Opt for looser styles such as braids or buns. By following these tips, you’ll be able to maintain soft and smooth hair between highlight touch-ups.
Seeking Professional Help: Salon Treatments for Softening Highlighted Hair
If you’re struggling to keep your highlighted hair soft and manageable at home, it may be time to consider a salon treatment. There are a variety of options available, so it’s important to choose the right one for your specific hair type and needs.
Some popular salon treatments for softening highlighted hair include deep conditioning masks, keratin treatments, and hot oil treatments. These nourishing treatments can penetrate deep into the hair shaft, providing hydration and protection against future damage. A professional hairstylist can also recommend personalized options based on your individual hair concerns. While these treatments may come with a higher price tag than DIY options, they can provide long-lasting results and help to revive your hair’s natural softness and shine.
Final Words
The process of highlighting hair can leave it feeling dry, brittle and damaged. Softening your hair after highlights is essential to not only restore its health but also maintain its shine and elasticity. A few simple tips and tricks can go a long way in remedying the potential damage caused by highlighting.
The key to softening your hair after getting highlights is to add moisture back into it. This can be achieved through a variety of methods such as using a deep conditioning treatment, avoiding excessive heat styling and using a leave-in conditioner. By taking these steps, you can not only restore the health of your hair but also ensure that your highlights look vibrant and fresh for weeks to come.