Image Source: Getty Images/Mint Images [1]

Experimenting with your hair colour [2] can be a fun way to shake up your look or get through a stifled style period. While it's much cheaper than shelling out for a new wardrobe, it's still an investment, and you want to make sure that fabulous colour [3] lasts as long as possible. Washing your hair [4] is often framed as a key cause of fading colour, but it turns out, the secret to washing your hair after you colour it isn't when — it's also how.

As well as providing a hair wash timeline, we spoke to hair expert at House of Keune by Bloom, Sophie Cabell, about maintaining your new hair shade post first wash, and, for the curly girls, we heard from SheaMoisture's Afro hair expert, Jennie Roberts, for the top tips on keeping your coloured-treated curls revitalised, because, as Roberts says: "You need to be mindful because maintaining dyed, healthy curls requires a lot of time and effort, and you want to make sure you're providing as much moisture as possible."

So, if you're unsure on when to wash your coloured hair, or are looking for the best shampoo for your first wash, post-colour session, keep reading.

Can You Wash Your Hair 24 Hours After Dying It?

The short answer is no, as Cabell says it's best to wait at least 48 hours before washing your hair after a colour service. "During this time, the pigments of the salon colour are still settling, and washing too soon can cause your colour to fade quicker," she tells us.

Related:

This Budget Shampoo From Tresemme Transformed My Hair [5]

Best Shampoo for Coloured Hair

When washing coloured hair, it's crucial to use products specifically formulated to protect colour-treated hair. It can take some extra time as you'll want to maintain your fresh shade and healthy strands.

Cabell recommends sulphate-free shampoos and conditioners, like the Keune Tinta Colour Shampoo [6] (£17) and Keune Tinta Colour Conditioner [7] (£21). "These gently cleanse and strengthen colour-treated hair without stripping away the colour," she says.

For curly, colour-treated, thick hair, Roberts recommends SheaMoisture's Jamaican Black Castor Oil Shampoo [8] (£11), to ensure you're providing as much moisture as possible to your strands. Similarly, Shea Moisture's Superfruit Complex Shampoo [9] (£8) offers colour-safe cleansing for all hair types.

"Both are sulphate-free, so great for keeping coloured hair clean without drying it out. For extra moisture, I recommend following with a deep conditioning mask to help revitalise your curls. If your coloured hair still feels brittle, try using a leave-in conditioner to bring back moisture and restore your curls," she advises.

Products to Avoid When Washing Coloured Hair

As much as we all love a hot shower, you'll want to turn down the heat when washing your colour-treated hair, as it could cause more harm than good. Don't worry, you won't need to have a cold shower per se, but high water temperatures can cause colour bleeding.

"To prevent colour bleeding, always rinse your hair with cold water after colouring to close the cuticle and trap the colour," Cabell explains. Heat protection in general is a must for treating coloured hair.

"Don't use too much heat as that will strip colour, always use heat protection, try and keep out of the sun, try to use a UV sun spray, and don't wash too regularly — once or twice a week for longer-lasting colour," she adds.