How to fix bleached hair damage

Bleaching your hair doesn’t just strip the color from it. It also breaks down fatty acids on the hair shaft, leaving your hair dry and fragile.[1] X Expert Source

1. 1

   Skip the shampoo for the first 24-48 hours after bleaching. Bleaching severely dries out your hair, so don’t strip any more natural oils away by shampooing. Try to hold off washing with shampoo as long as you can. You can still rinse and condition your hair.[2] X Research source Go to source

   Note: The cuticle of your hair becomes very swollen and fragile right after bleaching. This may give you the appearance of more body, but shampooing can further damage your vulnerable locks.

2. 2

   Apply an intensive hair treatment instead of conditioner every other wash. Apply a hair oil or cream mask to dry hair before you get in the shower. Let it sit for 3-5 minutes, then rinse and shampoo your hair.[3] X Research source Go to source

   • Try making your own hot oil treatment with olive, coconut, or avocado oil to add deep-penetrating moisture to the hair shaft.
   • You can also wrap your head in a towel and let the oil stay on your hair while you sleep. Rinse it out in the morning in the shower and then shampoo and style as usual.
   • If you find oil-based products too heavy, try a cream-based hair mask from your stylist or local drug store.

3. 3

   Use a leave-in conditioner every day to add moisture to your hair. Boost the power of your regular conditioner by applying a leave-in conditioner after you shower. Use the conditioner to help style your hair and keep frizz under control.[4] X Research source Go to source

   Tip: A leave-in conditioner will be especially helpful for taming your locks in extremely hot or cold weather.

4. 4

   Use an at-home protein mask to nourish your hair on a budget. An at-home protein mask is a great way to deep condition your hair without spending money at a salon. You can typically find these at your local drug store, or you can purchase them online.[5] X Research source Go to source

   • Look for products that contain the hair-healthy protein keratin.
   • Make your own protein mask at home by mixing together 1 egg and a large spoonful of plain yogurt. Add an extra spoonful (or 2) of yogurt if you have longer than shoulder-length hair. Leave the mask on for 30 minutes, then rinse your hair with cold water, to avoid cooking the egg in your hair.
   • Apply your protein mask every night for the first week after bleaching if your hair is especially brittle.

5. 5

   Be gentle with your hair, especially when it’s wet. Your hair is especially vulnerable to breakage when it's wet, so always wait to brush or comb it until it’s completely dry. Be gentle when towel-drying your hair, too. Use a soft, microfiber towel to gently blot your hair dry, since rubbing or squeezing your hair can cause it to break.[6] X Research source Go to source

   • If you don't have a soft towel, try drying your hair with an old T-shirt instead!

6. 6

   Cut off as much of the damaged ends as possible. Ask your stylist to trim off your split ends. If you hair is breaking off in the middle, try getting your haircut in a style that seamlessly incorporates the length of the broken-off pieces.[7] X Research source Go to source

   • Split ends are when the end of the hair shaft divided into multiple, smaller hairs. This can travel all the way down your to your scalp, resulting in damaged, frizzy hair. Cutting the ends prevents the damage from moving down the shaft.
   • If you don’t want to do a drastic cut right away, have your stylist cut off about 1⁄4 inch (0.64 cm) and then get your hair trimmed every month or so, taking off more and more of the damaged bits every time.

7. 7

   Have a protein treatment done at a salon if it’s within your means.[8] X Expert Source

   
   Christine George
   Master Hair Stylist & Colorist Expert Interview. 10 January 2020. Go to source Protein will help make your hair stronger and less likely to break off. The most intensive protein treatments are applied at professional salons. Talk to your hairstylist about what type would be best for your hair. The sooner you have the treatment done, the more breakage and damage you can prevent.[9] X Research source Go to source
   • Most hair salons have different strength treatments and formulas for various purposes. Even after your first intensive treatment, you can continue to get protein and/or moisture treatments every few months to keep your hair healthy. Discuss the perfect plan with your hair stylist.
   • Too much protein can harden your hair and damage it instead of restoring it.[10] X Expert Source
     
     Christine George
     Master Hair Stylist & Colorist Expert Interview. 10 January 2020. Go to source

8. 8

   Take hair-strengthening vitamins to encourage healthy new growth. Omega 3-rich fish oil capsules can help transform your hair from the inside out. Try taking the supplement for about 6 months to see if you see an improvement in your new hair growth.[11] X Research source Go to source

   • For a vegan alternative, try a flaxseed oil supplement.

1. 1

   Shampoo your hair 1-2 times a week. Shampoo strips your hair of natural oils that keep it healthy. Since bleached hair naturally has less oil, you should wash it less. Aim to shampoo your hair once per week if possible.[12] X Research source Go to source

   • If shampooing once per week is not enough, try slowly cutting down to about 2-3 times per week instead. You can also try using dry shampoo in between your shampoo days, to help keep your hair clean and fresh.
   • Avoid shampoos containing sulfates, which will further dry out your hair.
   • Try using a cleansing conditioner instead of shampoo to gently clean and nourish your hair. Ask your hairstylist for a recommendation. You can switch over entirely to a cleansing conditioner or use a sulfate-free shampoo and cleansing conditioner interchangeably.

2. 2

   Protect your hair from the sun. Bleached hair is particularly vulnerable to UV light, and it can even lead to sunburns on your scalp if you aren't prepared. If you plan on being outside for more than an hour, bring a hat or parasol along.[13] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source

   Tip: For even more protection, spray your hair with a sunscreen oil spray made with natural like coconut oil and shea butter.

3. 3

   Avoid chemicals like chlorine. If you go swimming with bleached hair, keep your head above water or wear a swim cap to protect your hair from the chlorine. Since bleached hair is more vulnerable to damage, you need to be wary of keeping any chemicals in your hair for too long.[14] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source

   • Rinse your hair thoroughly after swimming to get any chlorine out as soon as possible.
   • If you plan to shampoo your hair after it’s been exposed to chlorine, use a chlorine-removing shampoo. Ask your stylist for a suggestion, or browse the options at your local drug store. A clarifying shampoo will also remove chlorine from your hair.

4. 4

   Avoid using heat to treat or style your hair. Experiment with low-maintenance styling options. Let your hair air dry when it’s wet, and embrace your hair’s natural texture so you don’t have to use a curling iron or straightener.[15] X Research source Go to source

   • Bleached hair is already brittle, and adding heat will make it more prone to breakage.
   • If you must occasionally use heat for styling, spray your hair with a heat protectant and keep your styling tool on the lowest heat setting.

5. 5

   Keep your hairstyle simple. Avoid excessive combing or styling that pulls, bends, and breaks hairs. Let your hair recover by leaving it free as much as possible. Don’t put tight hair ties, clips, or bobby pins in your hair.[16] X Research source Go to source

   • If you must put your hair up with a hair tie, try using a gentle, no-crease hair tie. Hair ties that leave creases in your hair when you wear them can cause your hair to break.

6. 6

   Bleach new regrowth very gently. Speak to your stylist about creating a look for your hair that is more gentle on your hair. Try a look that doesn’t require dragging the bleach through to the ends of your hair every time. Ask about making your roots a darker color than the ends, so you won’t need to bleach your new hair growth as intensely.[17] X Research source Go to source

   Tip: If you have to bleach your hair again, you can help prepare and protect your hair by sleeping with coconut oil in your hair the day before the treatment.

• What can I do if it starts breaking or turns mushy? I don't want to cut my hair.

  Look into some kind of hair treatment - conditioning hair masks, nourishing shampoos, and also try massaging your hair with argon oil every day. If nothing works, then I think you might have to cut your hair. But try argon oil first.

• What do I do if my hair is continuously falling? I use hair oil or shampoo, but neither seems to help.

  Purchasing hair oil treatment and applying shampoo in the shower will help build natural oil glands to support the scalp. Apply permanent hair color to dye the hair after bleach to rebuild its chemical attraction. Wait three to six months before bleaching and dying the hair again.

• Which product is used for hair highlights?

  You could use a hair bleach bundle set that comes with a hair cap, accessories and a permanent hair color product. These can be found online, or from many local retailers.

• Is it always or usually this bad if bleaching is done? What if you bleach with hydrogen peroxide and baking soda?

  Your hair will always be damaged if you bleach it. Follow this article to get healthy hair.

Co-authored by:

Master Hair Stylist & Colorist

This article was co-authored by Christine George and by wikiHow staff writer, Amy Bobinger. Christine George is a Master Hairstylist, Colorist, and Owner of Luxe Parlour, a premier boutique salon based in the Los Angeles, California area. Christine has over 23 years of hair styling and coloring experience. She specializes in customized haircuts, premium color services, balayage expertise, classic highlights, and color correction. She received her cosmetology degree from the Newberry School of Beauty. This article has been viewed 411,607 times.

Co-authors: 13

Updated: September 16, 2021

Views: 411,607

Article Rating: 93% - 58 votes

Categories: Featured Articles | Hair Treatments | Dyeing Hair Blond

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  "My hair was naturally very soft and smooth, but recently I got my hair bleached from the roots. It became like a doll's hair, so rough, dry and fragile. But then I started oiling my hair and washing it once or twice a week. It made my hair better."

• "This answered most of my questions all in one place! I just got bleached highlights for the first time."

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