“What to do right after bleaching hair” is a question many ask post-treatment. Bleaching strips hair of its natural pigment.
This process can leave strands vulnerable. Proper aftercare is essential.
This article offers guidance to ensure healthy, vibrant locks. Read on for key steps to maintain your newly bleached hair.
What Happens To Your Hair When You Bleach It?
Bleaching your hair involves stripping away the natural color. This can cause some changes. The bleach breaks apart the proteins in your hair, damaging it and leading to several side effects.
Understanding what bleaching does to your hair helps you better understand how to care for it.
Here is a list of 10 effects of hair bleaching:
| Hair Issue | Description |
|---|---|
| Dryness | Bleach can cause your hair to lose moisture, making it feel dry and brittle. |
| Breakage | Damaged hair becomes weak and can break easily. |
| Frizz | Bleached hair may develop frizz due to damaged cuticles. |
| Dullness | The natural shine of your hair may fade, leaving it looking dull. |
| Split Ends | Bleaching can lead to split ends as the hair becomes more brittle. |
| Color Changes | The bleach may result in uneven color, or it may not lift as expected. |
| Elasticity Loss | Your hair may lose its natural elasticity, making it harder to style. |
| Texture Changes | The texture of your hair can change, becoming rougher or more difficult to manage. |
| Scalp Irritation | Bleach can irritate your scalp, causing itchiness or redness. |
| Hair Thinning | In some cases, excessive bleaching can lead to hair thinning or loss. |
Immediate Steps After Bleaching
Taking care of your hair right after bleaching is crucial for maintaining its health and vibrant color. Following a few simple steps can make a big difference in your hair’s condition:
- Rinse with lukewarm water
- Avoid shampooing immediately
- Use a deep conditioning treatment
- Dry with a microfiber towel
- Avoid heat styling
- Apply a pH-balancing leave-in conditioner
- Keep hair protected from direct sunlight
1. Rinse with Lukewarm Water
After the bleaching process, it’s essential to rinse your hair with lukewarm water. Hot water can further damage your hair and cause the cuticles to open, making it difficult for the color to settle in.
2. Avoid Shampooing Immediately
Give your hair 48-72 hours before washing it with shampoo. This allows time for the cuticles to close and the color to seal in, preventing any fading or damage caused by shampooing too soon.
3. Use a Deep Conditioning Treatment
.Apply a deep conditioning treatment or a protein mask to provide much-needed hydration and strengthen your hair. This can also help protect against further damage from styling.
4. Dry with Microfiber Towel
Be gentle when drying your hair after bleaching. Using a microfiber towel instead of a regular one can reduce friction and breakage.
Pat or squeeze your hair with a towel to soak up excess water instead of rubbing it.
5. Avoid Heat Styling
Limit the use of heated styling tools like hair dryers, straighteners, or curling irons. They can cause more damage to your bleached hair.
Opt for air drying or use heat protectants if heat styling is necessary.
6. Apply a pH-Balancing Leave-In Conditioner
Using a pH-balancing leave-in conditioner can help restore your hair’s natural pH levels and smoothen the cuticle. This results in less frizz and better moisture retention.
Apply this product after washing and conditioning to keep your hair healthy and manageable.
7. Keep Hair Protected From Direct Sunlight
Sunlight can cause further damage and fading to your bleached hair.
Wear hats or use hair products with UV protection to shield your hair from the sun’s harmful rays. This will help preserve your hair’s color and health.
Steps to Maintain Bleached Hair Health
Keeping your bleached hair healthy is important for maintaining its vibrancy. It also helps prevent further damage. Here are some essential steps you should follow after bleaching your hair:
- Use a color-safe or sulfate-free shampoo
- Moisturize the scalp with natural oils
- Apply hair masks on a regular basis
- Spray heat protectant
1. Use A Color-Safe Or Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Using a color-safe or sulfate-free shampoo is crucial for maintaining the health of your bleached hair.
Sulfates are full of salt. This can dry out and damage your hair. Color-safe shampoos prevent fading and maintain moisture.
When choosing a shampoo, read the labels and look for products without sulfates.
2. Moisturize The Scalp With Natural Oils
Natural oils, like coconut oil and olive oil, are excellent for moisturizing dry, bleached hair. A few drops can go a long way in restoring your hair’s vitality.
Apply the oil with your fingertips, focusing on your ends. This will help keep your hair hydrated and prevent split ends.
3. Apply Hair Masks on a Regular Basis
Hair masks can provide deep nourishment and hydration to your bleached hair. You can either use commercial hair masks or try some DIY recipes.
Apply the mask to your hair for 10 minutes and rinse with warm water.
4. Spray Heat Protectant
Heat styling tools, such as flat irons and curling wands, can cause damage to your hair. This damage is more prevalent on bleached hair.
To reduce this risk, always use a heat-protectant spray before styling your hair. This will help shield your hair from the damaging effects of heat and keep it looking healthy and vibrant.
Steps To Minimize Hair Damage
To minimize hair damage after bleaching, follow these steps:
- Test Your Hair Porosity
- Trim Split Ends
- Avoid Swimming in Chlorinated Pools for a Week
- Use Dry Shampoo
- Massage Your Scalp
- Choose Natural Hair Regrowth Methods
1. Test Your Hair Porosity
Hair porosity refers to the hair’s ability to absorb and keep moisture. Knowing your hair porosity will help you choose the right products to maintain a healthy hair condition.
After bleaching, determine your hair’s porosity by performing a simple test:
- Place a healthy strand of hair in a bowl of water and observe.
- If it floats, you have low-porosity hair.
- If it sinks, you have high-porosity hair.
- If it’s somewhere in the middle, you have normal or medium-porosity hair.
Check out our hair porosity quiz!
2. Trim Split Ends
Visit your stylist to trim split ends, which are more likely after bleaching your hair.
Getting rid of damaged ends helps prevent further damage and keeps your hair looking healthy.
3. Avoid Swimming In Chlorinated Pools For A Week
Chlorine in swimming pools can cause hair damage. So, for at least a week after bleaching, avoid swimming in chlorinated pools. This allows your hair to recover and reduces the risk of further harm.
4. Use Dry Shampoo
Using dry shampoo instead of traditional shampoo can help protect your hair from damage. It absorbs excess oil without completely stripping your hair of its natural oils.
Natural oils are essential for maintaining hair health after bleaching.
5. Massage Your Scalp
Massaging your scalp helps improve blood circulation and encourages hair growth.
Rub your scalp with your fingertips using circular motions for a few minutes daily to promote the regrowth of healthy hair strands.
6. Choose Natural Hair Regrowth Methods
Incorporate natural hair regrowth methods into your hair care routine after bleaching. Use essential oils which can encourage hair regrowth and prevent damage like:
- Rosemary
- Lavender
- Peppermint
Be sure to mix these essential oils with carrier oils such as coconut, olive, or jojoba oil before applying them to your scalp.
Intro and list the steps
Congrats on your newly bleached hair! Now it’s time to manage the color to keep it looking fresh and vibrant. Here are some steps to follow after bleaching your hair:
- Use Purple Shampoo
- Neutralize Unwanted Colors with Toner
- Rinse with Rice Water
- Use Color-Enhancing Toners
1. Use Purple Shampoo
Purple shampoo is essential for maintaining color in bleached hair, especially if you have blonde hair. The purple pigment works to counteract yellow and brassy tones, keeping your blonde bright and cool.
Use a toning shampoo after bleaching once or twice a week in place of your regular shampoo, leaving it on for a few minutes before rinsing it out.
2. Neutralize Unwanted Colors with Toner
Sometimes bleaching can result in unwanted brassiness or orange tones. Using a hair toner can help neutralize these colors and give you a more even, natural-looking shade.
Apply the toner according to the product instructions, let it sit for the recommended time, and then rinse it out.
3. Rinse with Rice Water
Rinsing your hair with rice water can help maintain its color and promote healthy hair growth.
Soak half a cup of rice in two cups of water for at least 30 minutes, then strain the water. After shampooing and conditioning your hair, pour the rice water over your hair and leave it on for 5 minutes before rinsing it out with cold water.
Make sure you test your hair porosity first, as the use of rice water for low and high-porosity hair differs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to restore hydration in bleached hair?
Restoring hydration in your bleached hair is crucial to maintain its health and prevent damage. Use a hair mask designed for bleached or color-treated hair. Apply it according to the instructions, usually leaving it on for a few minutes before rinsing. Incorporate natural oils like olive oil or coconut oil to your hair care routine, focusing on the ends where dryness is more prominent.
When to use toner on bleached hair?
Toner is essential for neutralizing unwanted brassy or yellow shades after bleaching. It’s best to apply the toner right after bleaching or on damp, towel-dried hair. Follow the instructions provided on the toner’s packaging. Be sure to check the progress of the toning process on a regular basis to avoid over-toning, which can result in an undesired hue.
Can I use home remedies for hair bleach after-care?
Yes! Home remedies can be a cost-effective and natural way to take care of your bleached hair. You can create a DIY hair mask using ingredients like avocado, honey, and egg, which can help nourish and moisturize your hair. You can also dilute apple cider vinegar with water and use it as a hair rinse to restore your hair’s pH balance and create shine. Remember to rinse your hair after using any home remedy to ensure that no residue remains behind.
