How To Care For Bleached Hair
How to prevent damage to bleached hair.
1. Limit Heat Styling
Excessive heat styling is the fastest way to permanently damage bleached hair. Limit your self to heated tools for special occasions only and make sure you use a heat protection spray.
You must also use a leave in product that contains heat protector on wet hair before blow drying. I recommend using either the Pureology 21 Benefit Treatment Spray or Colour Wow Money Mist. Spray a couple of times to the mids/ends on damp hair. Once blow-dried, if the hair feels too heavy, use less next time.
For extra protection, use GHD Heat Protection Spray on dry hair before straightening, curling, or using any heated tools. Be sure to spray it from a distance and allow it to fully dry into your hair before styling.
2. Use Correct Detangling Techniques
It’s important to be gentle when brushing wet hair, as it’s at its most vulnerable and prone to breakage. The Detangle Eco Brush is perfect for fine hair or for thicker hair use a Wet Brush. They both feature flexible bristles that glide through your hair without causing damage.
Always use a Leave-in Conditioning Spray before brushing. Divide into sections, start from the bottom and gently detangle the ends working your way up to avoid pulling the hair.
3. Ensure Hairdryer Is Safe
Old hair dryers can burn your hair due to the worn out heating elements or faulty temperature control. This can cause excessive heat to be applied unevenly.
For hairdryer recommendations I would always say salon professional, as they are built to last, powerful and super light. I use daily and would recommend in a heartbeat a Parlux Powerlight.
Would I recommend GHD Hairdryer? I do love the speed and power of the GHD hairdyer however, find this to be very heavy when completing a blowdry.
Would I recommend the Dyson Hair Dryer? I use this on my self at home, however within 2 years it has started to cut out. For the price, I don’t think it’s worth it
4. Protect from the Sun
Just like your skin, your hair can suffer from UV damage. Wear a hat and use a UV-protectant hair product such as Pureology 21 Benefit Treatment Spray or Colour Wow Money Mist, to shield your bleached locks from the sun’s harmful rays.
5. Avoid Chlorine
Chlorine strips the hair of moisture, leaving it dry and brittle. It also fades colour, making the hair look dull.
It is best to avoid it where possible. However if you decide to swim in a chlorinated pool, make sure to protect your hair by either:
Rinsing your hair with cold water, applying and leaving in a thick coat of conditioner or swimming cap to reduce chlorine absorption.
You can and a post chlorine clarifying shampoo, conditioner and mineral remover. I recommend this bundle by Malibu!
6. Don’t Sleep with Wet Hair
As your hair is more vulnerable when it’s wet, the damp strands are more prone to breakage and friction whilst tossing and turning in the night.
7. Don’t Use Tight Hairbands or Wear Clips in the same Places.
Avoid using tight hairbands or wearing clips in the same places repeatedly, as they can cause hair breakage. To minimise damage, rotate the placement of hair accessories and avoid excessive tension on your strands. In the summer, be cautious of sunglasses getting caught on the top of your head, as this can also cause hair breakage. I recommend using soft, gentle hairbands like Scrunchies or Silk Hair Ties to reduce tension and prevent damage.
8. Avoid Over-Washing
Washing your hair too often can strip it of natural oils that help protect it. Aim to wash your bleached hair 2-3 times a week, using a dry shampoo in between if needed.
9. Turn Down the Temperature
Hot water opens the hair cuticle, causing color to fade faster with each wash. Using lukewarm or cool water helps close the cuticle, locking in color and preserving vibrancy longer. You HAVE to watch here!
10. Deep Condition Regularly
Swap your regular conditioner with a mask/treatment, or use it every other wash to give your hair extra nourishment. See my treatment recommendations below in the blog for additional tips and products.
Shampoo & Treatment recommendations.
Bleached hair is all about hydration. Here are my favourite shampoos and conditioning treatments that I love rotating for myself and clients.
- Pureology Hydrate Shampoo & Conditioner - Loreal Metal Detox Shampoo & Mask - Colour Wow Money Mask - Amika Soul Food Mask - Redken Acidic Bond Shampoo & Conditioner
Ensure you towel dry your hair after your shampoo before using your mask of choice.
For best results, leave your hair mask on for as long as possible. You can enhance its effectiveness by applying heat, which helps the treatment penetrate deeper into the hair cuticle.
Try using a plastic cap, of for a more intensive treatment, leave it on overnight or wear it throughout the day on your day off.
Why you need both Protein & Moisture.
Protein is essential for rebuilding the inner structure of the hair, strengthening and repairing damage from bleaching, colour or heat.
Weak hair requires protein to build elasticity and strength. When getting your hair done in salon, be sure to add Innoluxe Bond Builder to your colour. Either Kerastase Resistance Ciment Thermique or Redken Extreme Anti-Snap excellent choices for reinforcing hair structure at home.
Moisture, on the other hand, helps seal the hair’s cuticle, locking in hydration and smoothing the outer layer for a healthier, shinier appearance.
Dry hair needs moisture to restore softness and prevent breakage, For hydration, try Colour Wow Money Mask, Amika Soul Food Mask, Loreal Metal Detox Mask.
How to avoid and fix dullness to your bleached hair.
1. Hard water filter: Prevents mineral buildup from hard water, which can dull bleached hair and alter cool-toned colors, making them look warmer or brassy.
2. Malibu hard water sachet: Helps detoxify hair from minerals and restores shine, keeping color vibrant and preventing damage from hard water.
3. Overusing purple shampoo: Can dry out bleached hair and strip it of moisture, leading to a dull appearance and less vibrant color.