Getting highlights is a great way to add dimension and color to your hair. But, many people are left wondering how soon after highlights can they wash their hair? It’s important to know the answer to this question so you can maintain healthy, hydrated hair and keep your highlights looking vibrant.
With that said, today we’ll be discussing how soon after highlights you can wash your hair. We’ll also be going over the best practices for washing your hair following a highlighting session so that you can keep your highlights looking their best. Keep reading to learn more!
The Hair Highlights Process
To know how soon after highlights you can wash your hair, it’s important to understand the highlighting process. During a highlighting session, stylists usually use a combination of bleach and toner to lighten or brighten the desired areas of your hair. This process can be damaging to the hair if not done correctly, so it’s important that you follow the instructions of your stylist.
See Also:
- Cap Highlights Vs Foil Highlights: What’s the Difference Between the Two?
- How Long Do Highlights Last?
- How Long Does It Take To Get Highlights?
So, How Soon After Highlights Can You Wash Your Hair?
The answer to this question depends on the type of highlights you receive. Generally speaking, experts recommend waiting at least 24 hours after getting your hair highlighted before washing it. This gives the product enough time to set properly and helps prevent any further damage or fading of your highlights.
If you have recently undergone a highlighting session and need to wash your hair before the 24-hour mark, it’s important that you use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo. This will help protect your hair from further damage while still cleansing away any dirt or product buildup.
How to Wash Hair After Highlights
When washing your hair after highlights, it’s important to use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo. This type of shampoo will cleanse your hair without stripping away the color or moisture.
Additionally, it’s best to avoid using hot water and instead opt for lukewarm or cold water when washing your highlighted hair. Hot water can cause the cuticle to open up, allowing moisture to escape and causing your highlights to fade more quickly.
The amount of time you should spend washing your hair after highlights will depend on the type of highlights you’ve had. If you have permanent or semi-permanent highlights, it’s best to limit your wash time to around 5 minutes. If you have temporary highlights, then it’s okay to spend up to 10 minutes washing your hair.
Finally, when you’re done washing, it’s important to follow up with a deep conditioner or hair mask. This will help replenish any lost moisture and nourish your highlighted strands, keeping them hydrated and healthy.
Things to Avoid When Washing Hair After Highlights
When washing your hair after highlights, there are a few things you should avoid:
- You should never scrub your hair vigorously or use a brush when shampooing as this can strip away the color and cause damage to your highlighted strands. Instead, opt for a gentle massaging motion to get a thorough cleanse.
- Skip the towel drying and use a t-shirt or microfiber cloth to dry your hair instead. Towels can be abrasive on highlighted strands and cause them to break more easily.
- You should avoid using hot styling tools such as blow dryers, curling irons, or flat irons as this can cause your highlights to fade more quickly.
Conclusion
Knowing how soon after highlights you can wash your hair is important for achieving healthy, vibrant-looking locks. Generally speaking, it’s best to wait at least 24 hours before washing your hair after a highlighting session.
When you do wash, be sure to use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo and follow up with a deep conditioner or hair mask. Additionally, it’s best to avoid scrubbing your hair or using hot water or styling tools when washing highlighted hair. Following these tips can help ensure that your highlights stay looking their best!
