Have you just had your hair done and wondering what to do after balayage? Well…what you do depends on the results you got after visiting a balayage salon.

What to do if you don’t like the results

It’s not uncommon to have your hair done, and you don’t like how it looks. Two of the most common reasons for this are if you have problems with the color and problems with the bleach.

Balayage’s goal is to fade color from dark to light, and it starts from dark roots and moves to a lighter level on the ends. Unfortunately, if the color difference between the roots and ends is more than two levels, you will have a bad or even an outright ugly balayage.

When you are having a color problem, the roots are too dark or the ends are too light.

To fix this problem, you need to correct the end color. Work with your stylist and find a dye color that will give you a better look or even return your hair to the original color.

If you don’t like your balayage due to a bleaching problem, the stylist must have done a sloppy job and ended up with a patchy, uneven color. If the balayage looks bad because the stylist didn’t properly divide the hair when applying bleach, you need to raise your balayage by an inch or two.

Sometimes an inexperienced stylist will also bleach the hair roots, which is often a serious error. If this is the case, simply relax and let the hair grow at least 1.5 inches. If you are already pissed and you no longer want balayage, dye the entire hair a darker color.

What to do if you love your balayage

If your stylist is experienced and has done a good job, you don’t need to do much—you simply need to take good care of your balayage so it lasts for a long time. How do you do this? Here is what to do:

Don’t wash your hair for at least three days

After getting your balayage, wait for at least three days before you wash your hair. The purpose of doing this is to allow the cuticles to close and the color to set.

You also should avoid getting the hair wet during these days, so avoid engaging in strenuous exercises. For example, avoid going to the gym during the three days. Of course, you also should avoid going swimming.

Stretch out your hair wash cycle

Even after the three days, avoid washing your hair too often. To keep your hair color fresh and intact, make it a habit to wash your hair two to three times a week. Avoid washing your hair daily as doing so will wash the balayage color and the natural oils necessary to moisturize your hair and scalp and keep it fresh and healthy.

Invest in a color-safe shampoo

There is nothing that will strip your hair the much-needed color as fast as the wrong shampoo. If you visit many stores, you will find most of them have sulfate-filled shampoos and these are wrong for your hair.

While sulfates give your hair the squeaky-clean feeling, avoid them. When you are in the stores making the purchase, pay close attention to the ingredients. As a rule of thumb, avoid any shampoo containing sulfates.

Stay away from the sun

Although chemicals and chlorine are two of the most popular color strippers, experts providing balayage services Olney MD also recommend you avoid sitting under direct sunlight for extended periods as you will damage the hair.

If you will be spending a lot of time outside, use a good UV spray protectant. It also doesn’t hurt putting on a hat.