Hair lightening products, whether purchased over the counter or from a salon, almost always contain some bleach. Bleach is still a go-to method for removing color from hair because it is so simple and quick to use. Bleaching your hair is a great way to get a new look, but it comes with a price.
This chemical invader rips down your hair’s protein structure to remove the color. After bleaching, your hair will be lighter, but it will also be substantially weaker. A Reliable and Credible Source. Damage such as breakage, frizz, and dryness are all possible after bleaching your hair. Tips for regaining the strength and suppleness of your hair after bleaching will be provided in this post.
Can I blow dry my hair after bleaching it?
What if your colorist brings a space-age-looking heater with him or her to your new salon? It may be fine—or a recipe for disaster. Even if you’re used to it, sitting under the dryer while dyeing your hair isn’t necessary.
As a result, stylists are compelled to see as many clients as possible in a short period of time in order to maximize their income. The usage of heat throughout the lighting process can be beneficial, but it’s crucial to know if you’re a good candidate because the heat and need for speed may directly conflict with your desire for healthy hair.
How does heat effects the bleaching process?
A little background information on how hair is handled is necessary before we get into the “why’s” of heating color-treated hair. Bleach is used by colorists to lighten hair or enhance it. Bleach powder is typically blended with ten, twenty, thirty, or forty volumes of peroxide.
In general, the more peroxide in a solution, the more potent it is. Bleach in a mixed solution has a shelf life of several hours or longer, but it may need to be refreshed from time to time. A well-applied bleach will remain moist for up to an hour and continue to lift the skin.
Bleach doesn’t need heat to complete its function. Why would hair colorists use heat to lighten hair if it isn’t necessary? Briefly, the answer is “time.” Using heat to speed up the process of lightening might result in serious harm, as it raises moisture.
If your color isn’t seeming light enough, you’re especially in danger from a colorist overdoing it with a little heat. After blow drying your hair, you’ll notice a sea of “flyaways” at the top of your head.
What to do if my hair is taking too long to dry after bleaching?
Going lighter when you have naturally dark hair has a big influence, and not simply on your new appearance. Bleach damages your hair in a significant way. Even if you’re just going a couple of shades lighter. After bleaching, your hair’s cuticles are damaged and weak, resulting in dry, coarse hair.
Dark-haired beauties, don’t despair; becoming blonde is still an option for you. It just signifies that your bleached hair requires a little additional care. Using the advice in this guide, we’ll show you how to maintain your vibrant color while also improving the condition of your hair and preventing damage.
Bleaching causes the cuticles of your hair to be opened by alkaline substances that are lighteners. Melanin, the natural color of the hair, is dissolved by alkaline chemicals that reach the hair’s cortex.
Bleach must break down the natural fatty acids in your hair shafts in order to remove the dark pigments, which leave your hair brittle. The cuticle continues to grow until it is completely open. Finally, the cortex is exposed, split ends form, and bang – damage that can make your hair look unhealthy.
How to prevent hair damage after bleaching?
However, it is well known that bleaching your hair might cause harm, but this doesn’t mean you should avoid it. We’ve put together this guide to provide you with our best advice for protecting your hair when bleaching. A bleaching agent is required whenever you want to lighten your hair color.
Bleaching and highlighting your hair, as you’ve probably heard, can cause harm. Bleaching agents can be harsh on your hair, and that is a fact. Dry, brittle hair that is prone to breaking can be the result. Preventative measures can be taken to maintain your hair healthily, nourished, and looking its best, even if you decide to dye your hair a darker shade.
Bleaching, on the other hand, offers some benefits, such as making your hair appear fuller and thicker. When your hair is thinning, and you have light skin, bleaching might help hide the difference between your hair and the bare areas of your scalp.
1. Shampoos and conditioners should be rotated
Finding a balance between protein and moisture is key when it comes to restoring or maintaining the health of blonde hair. It’s what I did in 2013, and if you looked into my current shower scenario, you’d notice that it’s still how I do things.
What’s most crucial when it comes to caring for blonde hair, regardless of how long it’s been since your previous session or how severe any damage is, is balancing moisture and protein—and not overdosing on either—Duenas said to me as I sat in her chair. Sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners, which can eventually peel and dry up your hair, are another something I advocate. A sulfate-free, protein-rich formula and a sulfate-free, moisture-rich recipe will be ideal for the ultimate shampoo ritual.”
2. Be careful with the bleach
According to Dumas, the most typical cause of disastrous damage is the Bleach being layered too thickly. My last bleaching disaster appears to have been caused by this. (The hairdresser had bleached my entire head the day before, after which she had done a full highlight.) It’s also important to keep an eye on your hairline (where we have fine hairs) and to keep an eye on how long each piece of hair has been dyed.
3. Treatment Alternatives
Additionally, Dumas emphasizes the need to use a high-quality hair mask as part of your daily hair care routine. Again, you don’t want to overdo it with these products, but they can make a great impact in protecting your hair’s integrity. At home, you may get salon-quality results by putting a shower cap on your hair for about 20 minutes after applying your hair mask, combing it through to ensure even dispersion, and then washing your hair.
The No. 3 Olaplex should be used once or twice a week before shampooing, and Dueas recommends switching between a protein and moisture mask. Wean yourself off of using the protein pick (Davines’ Hair Building Pack, $39) after a few months and stick to only utilizing the moisturizing choice (Davines’ Hair Building Pack). Dues like the Liss Unlimited Smoothing Mask by L’Oréal Professionnel.
4. Wait for the right time
Despite the fact that my 2013 colorist should never have bleached right on top of my highlights, I still bear some responsibility for it. I’d been getting my hair highlighted for so long that I should have known how permanent and destructive the results might be, yet I still caved into my impatience. I was in a hurry, and the colorist saw my trepidation. When she became worried, she applied Bleach incorrectly, which resulted in severely damaged hair, which caused her to become even more concerned. (It’s a waste of time).
Wait at least a couple of weeks before having a lightning service if you’re not happy with the color or if anything needs to be altered because you simply cannot highlight your hair so close together in time after a lightning service. Instead, give it some time to sit and see if there are any non-bleach solutions for adjusting the color. It is possible to brighten or alter the tone without using ammonia, according to Dumas.
5. Towels aren’t all the same
The ultra-soft, absorbent feel of microfiber towels helps strands maintain their natural texture without frizzing or damage, so purchasing one is always a good idea for any type of hair (treated or untreated). However, it’s critical if your hair is very prone to breakage. Rather than rubbing your hair with a towel, squeeze or scrunch it instead.
How to rehydrate hair after bleaching?
Do not misunderstand; we are huge fans of the pixie. It’s hard not to get goosebumps just thinking about Michelle Williams’ 2011 haircut. However, a transformation of that magnitude necessitates a level of confidence that the majority of us do not possess. Cara and Katy’s fans may not expect to see a major change in their lives, even though they constantly admire them.
Sadly, my personal attempt to undergo a significant hair change did not go as smoothly as I had hoped. A few years ago, I was sitting in one of Minneapolis’ most renowned salons when my freshly bleached strands began to fall from my scorching scalp, seemingly at random. Panic.
Although the aftermath of “the bleach apocalypse of 2013” may have been a frightening mess, my hair is now back to its pre-bleaching glory owing to a trusted arsenal of products and a few healthy trims.
1. Don’t look for a fix in the near future
To avoid further harm to newly damaged hair, Lee recommends avoiding it for the first 24 hours. She tells him, “Don’t touch it again.” “Lastly, steer away from instructional found on YouTube! To get the hair color you want without sacrificing your hair’s quality or length, do some research to find the best colorist in your area.”
2. Wait for the right time
Allowing your hair time to heal is extremely important. When I expressed my unhappiness following a highlight appointment, my over-bleaching nightmare began. The stylist promised me that if I wanted to lighten my hair, all I had to do was cover the highlights with Bleach, and my hair would remain healthy and white. She was completely misinformed in this regard.
Her freshly bleached hair started falling out as soon as she started brushing it. Fearing for my safety, she advised that I go back home and let it dry completely before brushing again. While driving home, I could see my hair falling and breaking at an uncomfortably quick rate out of the corner of my eye.
I was inconsolable and had no idea where to begin. In the end, I scheduled an appointment for the following day at another salon in the neighborhood. The receptionist was a calming angel, encouraging me that the professionals could do a lot of things to save my hair. I hoped for a miracle while I slept with my knotted hair scrunched up in a scrunchie.
3. Reduce the temp
Whether it’s everyday heat styling or heavy-duty bleaching and highlighting, we see clients with hair damage concerns every day, “According to Chase Kusero, co-founder of IGK. Blow-dryers and super-hot showers should be avoided until your hair is in better condition.
4. Use a DIY repair kit at home
With feedback from trichologists, Lee recommends In Common Beauty’s Crystal Cashmere At-Home Kit She recommends searching for items that are beneficial “on hair suffering serious damage due to chemical processes, coloring + bleaching services, or on weak, brittle hair.” At-home treatments should nourish, strengthen, and modify hair’s texture in order to produce healthy and beautiful locks. To restore your hair’s health, continue to get regular trims.”
5. Take your vitamins
A topically applied vitamin (i.e., one that can be put directly to the hair) is a godsend for damaged hair, says Lee. “Vitamins for your hair are common, and you should take them every day! It’s safe to use on both damp and dry hair, “she asserts, “Hydrates replenishes and protects hair from heat with this product!! Are you still with us? Bottled magic, to be sure.”
6. Seek the advice of an expert
Get treatment from a professional as soon as you can after a salon (or self-induced) bleaching disaster. Adding an extra product or attempting to fix the situation on your own could make matters worse. Nikki Lee, a hairstylist, recommends phoning a professional “as soon as possible,” she advises.
“This may be a delicate and frightening operation that no one but a professional should touch, and there they will be able to take a look at your hair and come up with a game plan to return it back to health,” he says. “There is no substitute for a professional.”
7. Protease inhibitor therapy
It’s time for me to take another step forward in the quest to improve the health of my hair. An intense protein treatment was carried out in-house with the sole goal of halting the current breakage. If you’re looking for a specific hair treatment, most salons have a wide variety of options.
Every few months, I alternate between moisturizing and protein-rich treatments in order to keep my hair’s integrity intact. This is a must-have for anyone who uses heat or dyes their hair frequently. Afterward, the stylist (under the watchful eye of the owner) began combing my hair. A few minutes later, I opened my eyes to see fists of hair scattered throughout, and I still cringe at the sight of them.
Finally, the savagery took place. Three to four inches of hair were removed, leaving a very thin shoulder-length style—a far cry from the razor job I had been dreading but still an unwelcome one. The personnel at the salon felt that they had done everything they could for me in terms of product and process recommendations and urged that I return in a month for another consultation, treatment, and trim. My responsibilities had been fulfilled by them; all that was left was for me to carry on their work.
8. Try a hair mask and an oil
Hydrate your hair as much as you can once the Bleach is out and your hair is on the road to recovery. Using a weekly heavy-duty mask in the shower, avoiding using heat tools, waiting as long as possible between washings to allow natural oils to form, and protecting ends of hair with a moisturizer/serum/oil are some of Kusero’s suggestions for restoring damaged hair. Some of our favorites are included in the list below.
9. Use a serum to treat
“Works on the most damaged hair types to help strengthen and repair while enhancing hydration and nourishment,” says Kusero of IGK’s repair collection, which includes Pay Day Instant Repair Shampoo + Conditioner and Cash In Instant Repair Serum.
To show that the system protects against breakage, softens hair by 11x, seals 88% of split ends, and even protects from 450F degrees of heat, Kusero says, “What’s different is that we could demonstrate the results not only in the salon, but we could demonstrate it through the highly rigorous clinical testing.”
10. Consider using hair oil in addition to the other ingredients
Oiling hair before and after a shower is an excellent way to hydrate and protect the hair’s cuticles, which have been damaged by the bleaching procedure. “This is critical,” says Julia. “Pre- and post-shampooing with a hair oil can help seal in moisture.
Using oil as a pre-treatment before shampooing helps protect your hair from being stripped by the shampoo. After a shower, apply oil to your skin to keep the moisture locked in. Moisture cannot pass through the oil layer. Bleached hair is in need of all the aid it can receive. Therefore, it is critical that you apply this oil every day for three weeks after bleaching to restore the natural oil barrier.”
When can you apply heat to hair after bleaching?
Porosity is the most prevalent reason for bleached hair that doesn’t dry as quickly as normal. And the best approach to combat porosity is to ensure that your bleached hair receives the proper nourishment. I’ll go over some of the other possible causes of your hair’s inability to dry and provide you with a remedy for each one. Join me, and I’ll tell you everything about it! Is your hair still damp from the shower after a long time?
Do you believe that bleaching is responsible for the deterioration? Bleaching your hair causes it to become brittle, which makes it less able to hold water. The drying process is, therefore, slower. The cuticle of porous hair is rough and uneven. Damage to the hair shaft (with high-porosity hair) is easily done because it doesn’t have the ability to retain moisture. High-porosity hair, on the other hand, is more prone to absorbing moisture than other hair types.
Watch How soon can you relax your hair after bleaching it | Video
After bleaching, can I use a hair dryer to style my hair?
In no way, shape, or form. It’s best to avoid blow drying your hair immediately after bleaching it. Drying your hair with a hot iron or blow-dryer will remove even more moisture from your bleached hair, which is already dry and more prone to damage than unbleached hair.
Yes, you can use a blow dryer to dry your bleached hair?
No way, not at all! It’s best to avoid blow drying your hair immediately after bleaching it. Heat styling, such as blowdrying, will strip your hair of even more moisture because it employs hot air. Bleached hair is already more porous and prone to damage.
Blow-drying bleach-damaged hair is not recommended?
Using hot tools on bleached hair might further harm the hair’s dryness and brittleness. It’s always best to let your hair air dry, but if you must use a blow dryer or other hot styling equipment, be sure to use a protective blowdry primer for hair beforehand.
Is it better to blow dry or air dry?
Blow drying isn’t as good as air drying for hair. When you blowdry your hair, you risk damaging it. My hair will be put under a lot of stress if I use products and style them.
When Bleach is heated, what happens?
Using this chemical releases chlorine gas, which is accelerated by heat. Bleach fumes can be harmful if inhaled and can be emitted in greater quantities when heated. Be careful with bleach products, and don’t even think about heating them up.
Conclusion
I recommend that you use the plex system when bleaching to minimize damage. Many brands now make use of it. It’s a way to keep your hair strong and healthy during the various chemical treatments. It’s made with cutting-edge active compounds that encourage hair regrowth.
For the most part, plex protects the skin from bleaching without affecting its effectiveness. After bleaching your hair, wait at least fifteen days before blow drying or flat ironing it again. Using a heat-protectant beforehand is also a good idea. Direct heat damage is minimized in this manner. Your hair will thank you if you follow my advice. Your hair will normally dry once you repair the hair fiber.
Bottom up
Until the, Read about, How to Use Coconut Oil Before Bleaching Hair: Stepwise Guide
