What To Do After A Balayage

Caring for Your Balayage: Essential Aftercare Tips

You've just had a beautiful balayage treatment, and now you want to ensure those sun-kissed highlights stay vibrant and healthy for as long as possible.

Proper aftercare is crucial for maintaining the beauty of your balayage. Here's everything you need to know about caring for your newly balayaged hair.

Immediate Aftercare

Wait before washing: The golden rule after getting balayage is to avoid washing your hair for at least 48-72 hours. This waiting period allows the colour to fully settle into the hair cuticle, ensuring better colour retention and minimising premature fading. The longer you keep your hair dry after treatment, the longer your balayage colour will last.

Avoid heat styling: In the first few days after your balayage, try to avoid using heat styling tools as they can damage your freshly coloured hair and cause the colour to fade faster.

Regular Maintenance

Limit washing frequency: To preserve your balayage, wash your hair only 2-3 times per week rather than daily. This prevents colour fading and helps maintain your hair's natural oils.

Use dry shampoo: Between washes, refresh your hair with dry shampoo to absorb excess oil and extend the time between washings without compromising your hair's health or appearance.

Choose sulphate-free products: Sulphates strip away colour and natural oils, leaving hair dry and damaged. Opt for sulphate-free shampoos and conditioners specifically formulated for colour-treated hair.

Weekly Hair Care

Deep condition regularly: Balayage often involves bleaching, which can dry out hair.

Use a weekly deep conditioning treatment or hair mask to keep your locks hydrated, nourished, and shiny.

Apply hair oil: Balayage hair tends to be more prone to dryness, especially at the ends. Apply a lightweight hair oil such as argan, avocado, or macadamia oil to the ends of your damp hair after washing to keep them hydrated and healthy6.

Use purple shampoo (for blonde balayage): If your balayage is on the blonde side, use a purple shampoo once or twice weekly to neutralise brassiness and maintain the cool tones in your hair.

Protection Measures

Apply heat protection: Before using any hot tools, always apply a heat protectant spray to shield your hair and preserve the integrity of your colour.

Protect from sun and chlorine: Wear a hat in strong sunlight and be cautious with swimming pools, as chlorine can affect your colour. If you're going swimming, wet your hair with clean water first to minimise chlorine absorption.

Avoid hard water: Hard water can dull hair colour.

Consider using a shower filter or a clarifying shampoo once a month to remove mineral buildup.

Long-term Maintenance

Schedule regular trims: Book a trim every six to eight weeks to keep your hair healthy and hydrated, which will help your balayage look its best.

Get touch-ups and toners: While balayage grows out naturally without harsh lines, schedule salon visits every 3-4 months for touch-ups and toners to refresh your colour and add dimension1.

By following these aftercare tips, your balayage will remain vibrant, healthy, and beautiful for months to come, making the most of this low-maintenance yet stunning hair colouring technique.

Excerpt: Protect your balayage investment with proper aftercare: wait 48 hours before washing, use sulphate-free products, and deep condition weekly for long-lasting, vibrant colour.

Ready to refresh your balayage or try this beautiful technique? Our award-winning stylists at Gusto Hairdressing are here to help. Book your consultation today.