Whether it’s a bold new look or a subtle touch of color, many people embrace the fun of coloring their hair. Many visit salons to get their hair bleached, but some would instead do it at home.
As convenient as it is, at-home hair bleaching sessions have led to many cases of hair damage. It’s a harsh substance that can dry, break, and frizz your hair. If bleach has damaged your hair, you aren’t alone. You shouldn’t worry, either.
This blog post gives tips for caring for your bleach-damaged hair and saving your beautiful locks.
9 Ways to Take Care of Bleach-Damaged Hair
Before you head to the salon for an emergency haircut, you can do some things to save your bleach-damaged hair.
1. Change your hair-washing schedule
One of the first steps to nursing your bleach-damaged hair back to life is to reconsider your hair-washing routine. Washing your hair too often strips it of its natural oils. It needs these to heal and recover. Instead, extend the time between washes to allow your hair’s natural oils to nourish and protect it.
For example, if you usually wash your hair daily, you can try every other day. Use a dry shampoo in between to keep your hair feeling fresh and free from excess oil.
2. Dry your hair properly
How do you usually dry your hair? Do you take it slowly or rub it vigorously with a towel? If you do the latter, it might do more harm than good. Intensely drying your hair can worsen the damage and lead to more breakage. Instead, try to be gentler.
Try this: After washing your hair, gently pat it dry with a soft microfiber towel or an old t-shirt. If you need a hairdryer, set it to a low or medium heat setting and keep it at a safe distance from your hair to prevent heat damage and frizz.
3. Wear a hair mask
A hair mask is your best friend when revitalizing bleach-damaged locks. These deep-conditioning treatments provide intense moisture and nourishment to your hair, helping to repair the damage caused by bleaching.
Consider treating yourself to a luxurious DIY hair mask by mixing mashed avocado, a tablespoon of honey, and a dollop of coconut oil. Ensure your hair is damp before you apply it. Once you’ve applied, leave it for half an hour, then rinse thoroughly.
4. Choose the right shampoo
The wrong shampoo can worsen your hair’s health. Look for sulfate-free and moisturizing shampoos specifically designed for damaged or color-treated hair. Find ones with ingredients such as argan oil, shea butter, or keratin. These help moisturize your hair, which is just what it needs to recover.
5. Always use conditioner
Using conditioner should already be a non-negotiable step in your hair care routine. It’s even more important now that your hair is damaged. Why? Conditioners help lock in moisture, seal hair cuticles, and prevent further damage.
So, after applying and rinsing your shampoo, use conditioner from the middle of your hair to its ends. You don’t have to be conservative about how much you use. Leave it there for a few minutes before rinsing.
Doing this regularly will restore your hair’s health while making it more manageable, softer, and stronger.
6. Avoid heating your hair
Both sleek, straight hair and bouncy curls can be real confidence boosters, but subjecting your already damaged hair to excessive heat styling tools will only exacerbate the problem. Try to minimize using blow dryers, curling irons, and straighteners.
Instead, try heatless styling methods. You don’t need a lot of heat to achieve beautiful curls; overnight hair curling techniques will work just as well.
7. Practice gentle brushing techniques
Brush carefully and gently. Start using a wide-toothed comb or a specialized detangling brush to avoid tugging on knots and fragile strands. Begin brushing from the tips, working your way up gradually to reduce stress on the hair. Avoid vigorous brushing when the hair is wet, as it is more susceptible to damage in this state.
Additionally, applying a leave-in conditioner or a detangling spray can provide extra protection and make the brushing process smoother. Regular trims and deep conditioning treatments are essential to maintain healthy, strong bleached hair.
8. Stick to safe ingredients
When dealing with bleach-damaged hair, you’ve got to be careful about the products you use. Harsh chemicals and synthetic additives can stress your hair even more and disrupt its healing process.
Stick with products with natural and gentle ingredients that are free from sulfates, parabens, and silicones. Look for hair care products containing botanical extracts, essential oils, and vitamins; aloe vera, chamomile, and rosehip oil are excellent natural ingredients that nourish your damaged tresses.
9. Adjust your lifestyle
Taking care of your bleach-damaged hair goes beyond just using the right products. Your lifestyle choices can also influence the health of your hair. Make some positive changes to promote the overall well-being of your locks.
Since your hair needs more moisture, drink lots of water and stay hydrated. The best part is that it benefits your overall health besides just your hair. Additionally, balance your diet with vitamins, minerals, and protein-rich meals. Your hair needs the nutrients to come back from the bleach damage.
It’s Not Too Late for Proper Hair Care
It doesn’t have to be final for your bleach-damaged hair. You can do a few things to reverse the damage and save your hair for another day. For starters, change your hair-washing schedule to give your natural oils a chance to help. When you do hop in the shower, stay away from harsh ingredients. Stick to sulfate-free, moisturizing shampoos, and never forget the conditioner!
After stepping out of the shower, go easy on the drying. Spare your hair from blow drying since the heat only worsens things. Lastly, make positive lifestyle changes by staying hydrated, maintaining a balanced diet, and caring for your hair from the inside out.
A big takeaway from this experience should be understanding how to bleach your hair properly. There’s nothing wrong with doing it at home. You must follow the proper steps to avoid damaging your hair again.
Once you’ve understood the basics of at-home bleaching, you can explore different hair colors without worrying about potential hair damage.
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