We’ve all been there. A bad haircut or color can is traumatizing, particularly right before a big event. Haircuts can generally be repaired but knowing how to fix bleached hair fast can save you a lot of stress and angst.
Today’s styles sometimes call for the bleaching of hair before other processing. If you long for pink, green, purple, or platinum tones, you probably will have to bleach your hair first, so the desired color comes through. Make no mistake, hair bleach is a harsh chemical, and the results vary depending on the type of bleach used, how long it processes, the color of your hair, and your hair’s texture.
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Hair Bleach
First, let’s set the record straight. Hair bleach and cleaning bleach is not the same product. Never use a household cleaner/chemical on your hair. The base of hair bleach is generally hydrogen peroxide and depending on the type, other chemicals like ammonia, are added to obtain the desired results.
Second, it is important to understand that bleaching your hair is permanent. The actual action and the chemicals are stripping your hair of its natural pigment. Unlike when you color your hair, bleaching won’t fade, and your natural color won’t come back unless you learn how to repair bleached hair fast.
Third, bleaching your hair does damage it. Not only is the pigment stripped, but so are all of the healthy oils that keep your hair moisturized and lush. And, the damage is permanent – hair becomes porous, coarse, weak and brittle after bleaching. You’ll need to condition properly and use a gentle shampoo so as not to cause further damage. And of course, limiting the use of hair dryers and other heat-based tools is a must.
Step 1 – Use a Gentle Shampoo
Just like your skin, your hair needs daily care and a bit of love. Clarifying shampoos strip the hair of styling products, but they can also leave your hair even more brittle and dry. Just like when you use the wrong facial cleanser that leaves your skin dull and dry, the wrong shampoo can leave your hair in even worse condition after bleaching.
And, stop shampooing daily. This is key to understanding how to repair bleached hair fast – over-cleansing is not going to help the color or the condition of your hair. A gentle cleansing conditioner may be your best friend after a bad bleaching job. Stick to washing your hair 2-3 times each week, maximum. You can still rinse it in the shower, and even apply a light conditioner to make styling easier.
While you shouldn’t wash your hair every single day, we also suggest you skip shampooing your locks for the first 24-48 hours after bleaching. Remember that when your hair is bleached it’s being stripped from its natural oils, meaning it’s most likely drier than usual. Shampooing will only make it drier, damaging your hair further.
With this being said, you can still condition your hair – in fact, we suggest you do!
Step 2 – Stop Using Heat-Based Styling Tools
I know, your hair dryer and flat iron are your best friend in the morning, but they are just going to cause further damage to your hair. If you simply must use a styling tool, be sure to use a thermal hair protector spray each time. But of course, even better is to allow your hair to dry naturally. If you long for curls, try an old-fashioned sock bun that is guaranteed to give your hair beachy waves overnight.
Step 3 – Condition, Condition, Condition
Of course, you need to condition your hair each time you wash it, but you can also condition it on the days you don’t need shampoo. And, another hint is to use a leave-in conditioner to help seal in your hair’s moisture. This can help prevent fly-aways and leave your hair soft and manageable.
Also, select a great deep conditioner that you use once a week. Much like a great facial mask, a deep conditioning mask for your hair can penetrate deep into the hair shaft making your hair feeling softer and more alive. One of the best natural deep conditioners for hair is coconut oil. It nourishes, strengthens, and smells great. After applying, leave it on for a couple of hours, or even overnight, for best results.
Step 4 – Hair Masks Work Wonders
After every other wash, you want to give your hair some love by applying an intensive hair treatment. This can be a cream or hair oil. Normally, you want to apply it to your hair and let it sit for a few minutes before you rinse it out.
Making your very own conditioner has become popular among many men and women. It’s so easy to make a hot oil treatment using ingredients you may already have around the house such as coconut, olive, or avocado oil. These ingredients do an amazing job moisturizing and adding some life to your hair.
Here are some other ways to get the most benefits from your hair masks:
- Wrap your head in a towel so that the oil stays in your hair while you sleep. In the morning rinse it out, shampoo, and style as usual.
- If oil products feel too heavy then try a cream mask. You can ask your stylist, visit a nearby drug store, or browse through our reviews for the best hair treatments available.
These are all great ways to take care of your hair after its been bleached that don’t require you to spend tons of money at a beauty salon. Be sure you’re looking at a product with natural ingredients and with keratin in them.
Another great hair mask you can try is protein masks. You can make these by mixing together 1 egg and a spoonful of plain yogurt. Massage the mask into your hair and enjoy the benefits! After 30 minutes, rinse out with cold water. Otherwise, the egg will cook in your hair! Apply the protein mask every single night for a whole week after bleaching. This will help your brittle hair regain strength and get on the right track to recovery!
Step 5 – Don’t Brush Hair When Wet
When your hair is wet it is vulnerable to breakage. For this reason, you don’t want to brush it immediately after showering. Instead, you want to be sure it’s completely dry and brush it from ends to roots. Gently pat your hair down with a towel or t-shirt. Using an old t-shirt is a great way to blot your hair dry gently before detangling.
Step 6 – Cut It
This may be the last thing you want to hear. However if your hair is severely damaged, cutting it is the best way to get rid of the damage. Next time you’re at the hair salon, ask your stylist to trim off the split ends. If you notice your hair is so damaged it is breaking off in the middle, then you may need a full haircut (this may be the perfect excuse for a new look)!
If you don’t want a drastic cut immediately, then trim your hair every month. This way you’ll slowly trim off the damaged areas while it starts to heal. Along with this be sure you are taking vitamins to strengthen and encourage healthy hair growth. We are talking about omega 3-rich fish oil capsules every day. Doing so will transform your locks inside out. You can expect to notice results after about 6 months.
A Quick Fix
Continue these 6 steps for a month or until your hair starts to recover from bleaching. If you want quicker results, there are a few products on the market that claim to be the best hair treatment for bleached hair. The one with the best reviews is Olaplex. There are salons that do Olaplex treatments, or you can purchase the kit and do it at home to repair your bleached hair fast.
If you simply must permanently bleach your hair, be prepared to deal with the inevitable damage by understanding how to repair bleached hair fast. Slow or fast recovery is your call, but realize the more you shampoo, condition, and style, the slower your hair will recover.
Caring for Your Hair
Taking good care of your locks is a lifelong process. Practicing healthy habits will give you strong, smooth hair that will turn heads everywhere you go. Here are 3 simple ways you can protect your hair from further damage:
Always Protect Your Hair from the Sun
You always want to protect your hair from the sun, especially if it’s been recently bleached. Your hair is already vulnerable as it is and when exposed to sun rays it can lead to sunburns and dry out your hair even more. An easy solution is to wear a hat or use an umbrella when you’re outside for long periods of time.
Avoid Chlorine
If you’re wondering how to repair bleached hair fast you need to stay out of the water! If you swim often, we suggest you wear a swim cap or keep your head above water to protect it from the chlorine. Immediately after swimming, rinse your hair to get any chlorine out. We also suggest you use a chlorine-removing shampoo if you want to get it completely out.
Consider Styling Options
We all want the cutest hairstyles, but to what extent? Using heat on our hair, for instance, is a great way to make hair look longer and smoother, however, it’s always one of the most damaging options. Instead, we encourage you to embrace its natural texture and avoid those hot styling tools.
Think about it – your bleached hair is already so brittle. Will adding heat make it recover faster? No, it will probably just lead to more breakage. If you absolutely need to use heat when styling, then invest in a heat protectant and use your hot iron or curler on a low heat setting.
Moreover, avoid any hairstyles that pull or bend your hair. Let your hair loose as much as possible and stay away from hair ties or bobby pins. They will only stretch hair more and break it up. If you want to put your hair up, use a gentle, no-crease tie.
Wrap Up
How to repair bleached hair fast? Using these tips and tricks is the absolute best way to do it. It is a process, however. So if you’re patient and consistent, you’ll enjoy soon strong, beautiful, healthy-looking hair.
Have you had a bad hair bleaching experience? We’d like to hear about it! What has worked for you in terms of treating damaged hair? What hasn’t? Have you tried some of the methods above? Comment below and let us know!