Bleached hair care is about replacing what bleach takes away. Lightening is the most demanding color process there is. It can look beautiful, but the hair is left fragile, and how you treat it in the weeks afterwards decides whether it stays soft or starts to snap.
What bleach does to hair
Bleach lifts the cuticle and breaks down the natural pigment inside the hair. In the process it also:
- Removes natural oils and moisture.
- Weakens the protein structure, so hair loses strength and elasticity.
- Leaves the cuticle raised, which makes hair very porous.
Porous hair soaks up water quickly, dries slowly, tangles easily and loses toner fast. Hair Porosity: What It Is and Why It Matters explains porosity.
Washing
- Wash less often. Two or three times a week is enough for most people.
- Use a gentle, moisturizing shampoo on the scalp only.
- Use lukewarm water.
- Squeeze, do not rub. Wet bleached hair stretches and breaks easily.
Conditioning
- Condition after every wash, and leave it on for a few minutes.
- Use a deep-conditioning mask once a week. See Conditioner vs Hair Mask: What's the Difference?.
- Apply a leave-in conditioner to damp hair.
- Seal the ends with a small amount of serum or oil.
Protein and moisture
Bleached hair has lost protein, and products containing proteins can make it feel stronger for a while. Too much protein can leave hair stiff and brittle, so balance it with moisturizing products. If your hair feels mushy and over-soft, add a protein product. If it feels hard and snaps, switch to moisture.
Bond-building treatments
"Bond-building" products are designed to reinforce the links inside hair that bleach breaks. Many colorists use them during lightening, and at-home versions are popular. Much of the published evidence comes from manufacturers, so treat them as a helpful addition to gentle care, not a cure.
Toning
Bleached hair turns yellow or brassy as toner washes out.
- Use a purple shampoo or mask about once a week to counter yellow tones.
- Leave it on for the time stated. Longer is not better and can tint porous hair lilac.
- Follow with conditioner, because toning shampoos can be drying.
How to Help Hair Color Last Longer has more on keeping tone fresh.
Drying and styling
| Do | Avoid |
|---|---|
| Blot with a soft towel or cotton T-shirt | Rubbing with a rough towel |
| Detangle with a wide-tooth comb from the ends | Brushing soaking wet hair |
| Air dry when possible | Daily flat ironing |
| Use heat protectant and low heat | High heat settings |
| Wear loose styles with soft ties | Tight ponytails and metal clips |
See Heat Styling: How to Protect Your Hair for safe temperatures. Fragile, lightened hair should stay at the lowest setting that works.
Sun and swimming
- Wear a hat in strong sun.
- Wet hair with clean water and apply conditioner before swimming.
- Rinse immediately afterwards. Chlorine and copper in pool water can give blonde hair a green tint. A chelating or swimmers' shampoo removes it.
Trims and timing
- Trim the ends every six to ten weeks to remove splits.
- Leave as long as you can between lightening sessions.
- Ask your colorist to lighten new growth only, without overlapping onto hair that is already bleached.
- Do not perm or relax bleached hair without professional advice.
Warning signs
Stop all chemical and heat styling and see a professional if:
- Hair feels gummy or stretchy when wet.
- It breaks when you run your fingers through it.
- Clumps of hair snap near the root.
- Your scalp is burned, blistered or very sore after bleaching. A burn needs medical care.
Badly damaged hair cannot be repaired. It has to be nursed with gentle care and trimmed as healthy hair grows in.
Bleaching at home
Bleach is the hair process most likely to go wrong at home. If you do it yourself, follow the instructions and timings exactly, do the allergy test, never mix products from different kits, and do not bleach hair that is already damaged. A professional is the safer choice for big changes. For general care of colored hair, see Color-Treated Hair: A Simple Care Routine.
Related on ArniSun
- Color-Treated Hair: A Simple Care Routine
- How to Help Hair Color Last Longer
- Hair Porosity: What It Is and Why It Matters
- Conditioner vs Hair Mask: What's the Difference?
- Heat Styling: How to Protect Your Hair
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
How often should I wash bleached hair?
Two or three times a week suits most people. Washing less often keeps moisture and toner in for longer.
Can bleached hair become healthy again?
The bleached lengths cannot return to their original state, but good care makes them softer and stronger to the touch. Healthy new hair grows from the root.
Why does my bleached hair feel like straw?
Bleach removes moisture and natural oils and roughens the cuticle. Regular conditioning, weekly masks and less heat usually improve the feel.