Buzz
Bleaching your hair involves using chemicals to strip away the natural pigment, resulting in lighter and brighter hair. However, this process can be highly damaging, so it’s essential to take extra care of your hair. Limit the use of chemicals and heat, regularly moisturize, and incorporate protein treatments. Special care should be taken for several weeks before bleaching.
Steps
Minimize Hair Damage Before Bleaching
Understand Your Hair. Consult with an experienced hairstylist about your bleaching plan. Every head of hair is unique, with different characteristics and needs. If you plan to bleach at a salon, the stylist can provide quick advice without charge.
- You may need multiple salon visits to achieve the desired shade. Discussing your plans with a stylist beforehand will help you make informed decisions.
- Ask questions like: “Will this cause significant damage to my hair? What products should I use before and after bleaching? Will I need multiple sessions to get the perfect color?”
- Request a strand test. If you’re bleaching at home, perform a test a few days in advance. If you’re unhappy with the color or texture, visit a salon for professional advice.
- Inquire if the salon offers Olaplex products. These professional-grade treatments protect and restore hair before, during, and after chemical processes like bleaching.
Allow Your Hair to Recover. If you’ve recently treated your hair with chemicals, wait for a period of time before bleaching. If you’ve just dyed, highlighted, permed, or straightened your hair, wait at least two weeks before bleaching. Ideally, wait a month or longer. Extend the waiting period if your hair has been severely damaged by previous treatments.
- Avoid bleaching hair that is already damaged (frizzy, dry, or brittle).
- Note that darker hair is more prone to damage during bleaching. Individuals with darker hair often face challenges in achieving their desired color (due to the significant contrast between the original and bleached shades). Over time, bleaching can thin the hair and cause lasting damage. While bleaching has less impact on lighter hair, risks still exist even with reduced chemical use and fewer bleaching sessions.
Reduce Heat Styling a Week Before Bleaching. Minimize or stop using curling irons, flat irons, blow dryers, or other heat tools. Heat styling damages hair, and bleaching compounds this damage.
- Natural, untreated hair is generally stronger and less affected by bleaching.
Skip Washing Your Hair. Avoid washing your hair on the day of bleaching. In fact, having some natural oils in your hair is beneficial, so refrain from washing for two or more days before bleaching.
- Bleaching doesn’t require hair to be as clean as dyeing does. Unwashed hair won’t hinder the effectiveness of the bleach.
Save Money for Quality Products. Many products are designed to maintain and/or extend the effects of bleaching and achieve a golden hue. Ensure you can afford and find the right products to care for your newly bleached hair. Some salons sell products at a premium, but you can save by purchasing them at supermarkets. Additionally, be cautious when styling your hair, as bleach strips natural oils and weakens the hair, even with proper care. If you frequently use heat tools, consider adding heat protectants or heat-free styling products to your routine.
Moisturize Hair with Oil
Apply Oil to Your Hair. While coconut oil strengthens the protein in your hair, avocado oil and argan oil are effective for treating damaged or chemically processed hair. Using oil before bleaching helps your hair withstand and absorb the bleach better. The night before bleaching, melt about half a cup of coconut oil in a small pot or microwave. Let it cool, then massage it into your hair. Wear a shower cap to bed or lay an old towel over your pillow.
- Your hair will feel greasy, but don’t worry: coconut oil is also good for your skin.
- If bleaching at home, you can apply oil again before bleaching without rinsing it out.
- After bleaching, continue caring for your hair by applying oil daily or every other day. Massage the oil into your hair, starting from the tips and working your way up to the roots.
Use a Hair Mask. Apply a hair mask once or twice a week. You can make a DIY hair mask at home by combining coconut oil, olive oil, yogurt, honey, banana, avocado, and egg. Mix the ingredients well, apply to clean, dry hair, and leave it on for 30 minutes. For best results, start this routine as soon as you plan to bleach your hair and continue even after bleaching.
- You can also purchase deep-conditioning masks and treatments.
Tip: Many hair experts recommend using hair masks instead of conditioners for their superior moisturizing and nourishing effects on damaged hair.
Apply Oil Daily. Coconut oil, argan oil, and avocado oil are excellent for restoring chemically treated, bleached, or frizzy hair. If you don’t have time for a mask, simply massage a small amount of oil into your hair, starting from the tips and moving up to the roots. Start this oil routine as soon as you decide to bleach your hair and continue even after the process is complete.
Finish.
Tips
- Save money to bleach your hair at a salon, as it will look better when handled by a professional, though this can sometimes be costly.
- Choose hair dyes with conditioning ingredients if you plan to bleach your hair for a different color.
- Oils and masks are highly beneficial for hair that is about to be bleached, has been bleached, or has never been bleached.
- Compared to other oils, coconut oil contains a type of protein that bonds more effectively with the protein in your hair.
