Bleach can seriously damage the condition of your hair, and it is crucial that bleached hair is properly hydrated.
If your hair is bleached by a professional stylist, it is likely that the hair will maintain a reasonable condition. Bleaching hair at home is often dangerous and can lead to hair loss.
While some individuals have good success with bleaching their own hair, it comes with great practice and risk.
Even in a salon experience, it cannot be guaranteed that the hair will remain in a good condition.
As a result, it is important that you rehydrate your hair after bleaching, and continue the practice of hydrating your hair.
This will help improve the appearance of your hair and will also prevent, or minimize, any hair loss that could occur.
What Does Bleach Do To Hair?
Hair cuticles are the outermost part of each strand of hair. When hair undergoes the bleaching process, alkaline agents, known as lighteners, open and expand the cuticles of the hair.
The alkaline agents will enter the hair’s cortex, which will dissolve the natural pigments of the hair, which are referred to as melanin.
In order to make the hair lighter, the bleach needs to break down natural fatty acids that are found on the hair shafts, but this process can leave hair very brittle.
The hair cuticles expand further, unable to be rejoined, which leaves the cortex of the hair exposed. This causes split ends and further damage to the hair.
Why Should You Rehydrate Bleached Hair?
Bleached hair has to rehydrate, otherwise, it will be left in a very vulnerable position. If hair is not rehydrated, then the hair will become further damaged, more brittle, with increased split ends.
The hair will become extremely weak, and it can result in hair falling out of your head. In some cases, this can be a whole head of hair that falls out, and in other cases, strands of hair.
Either way, it can be incredibly upsetting and uncomfortable.
While rehydrating the hair will not always prevent the hair from falling out, it can help ‘repair’ some damage, to minimize the chances of hair loss, and help improve the quality of the hair.
How To Rehydrate Bleached Hair
Now that you know the importance of rehydrating bleached hair, we will discuss some of the most effective ways that you can rehydrate your hair.
Wash Your Hair Less Often
This is an absolutely crucial step for those who have bleached hair. You must not overwash your hair.
If you are someone who is used to washing your hair daily – this habit needs to be changed, because you will worsen the quality of your hair.
Ideally, you should wash your hair every three to four days. This does not mean you cannot shower, it means you should use a shower cap on the days you do not wash your hair.
You can also use dry shampoo if you notice that your hair is a little greasy.
This is especially important during the first three weeks after hair has been bleached because hair is more susceptible to breakage.
Hair should be washed less often because shampoo strips the hair cuticles of natural oils, and needs oils are essential for the health and growth of the hair.
Also, when bleached hair is wet, it is more susceptible to breakage.
So, make sure you limit the number of times you wash your hair to every three to four days.
Conditioner, Conditioner, Conditioner
Related: Conditioner Buyers Guide
An essential part of rehydrating bleached hair is making sure the hair is properly conditioned.
Conditioners are one of the main ways you will rehydrate your hair. They help put hydration back into the damaged locks, which will minimize the risk of breakage, and improve hair quality.
This will make your hair less brittle, less dry, and improve the appearance of your hair quality. Conditioners will make your hair a little shiner, and make your hair a lot softer.
This is crucial for any bleached hair, as bleached hair gets extremely dry.
When it comes to shampoos and conditioners, opt for makes that are specifically designed to help damaged and brittle hair.
There are also conditioning treatments that are used after conditioner and washed off after five minutes. They will add further hydration to damaged hair.
Don’t Forget Hair Masks
Hair masks are going to be vital in repairing your damaged hair.
Generally speaking, hair masks should be used once a week. If your hair is extremely damaged, you may want to use a hair mask twice a week.
This will give your hair added moisture that is crucial for improving the quality of your hair. There are many brands that sell hair masks, so they are easy to find online and in most supermarkets.
There are also many natural products that can be used to create hair masks. For example, coconut oil is widely used as a hair mask as it creates softer and more hydrated hair.
To create a hair mask out of coconut oil, all you need to do is heat up two tablespoons of coconut oil. You will apply this to your hair – damp, or dry, and then wrap your hair up.
You can use a microfiber towel or an old tee. Furthermore, you can sleep while wearing that mask, but some people prefer not to.
In that case, try to leave the coconut mask on for seven hours, or as many hours as you can in the day. This may be ideal for Sundays, or days you do not have to leave the house.
Let Hair Dry Naturally, Or Use Heat Protector Products
Ideally, if you have damaged hair, you should let your hair dry naturally.
For some, this is a concept that they cannot get on with. It can be incredibly nerve-wracking to let your hair dry naturally if you are used to using a hairdryer.
Hairdryers add more volume to the hair, after all, and impact the structure of the hair. However, you should remember that you have bleached hair, and you made the choice to bleach your hair.
This means that you may have to change your normal hair routine, in order to improve the quality of your bleached hair.
We know that air drying is not a possible solution for everyone, for a multitude of reasons. In that case, make sure that you use heat protector products before you use any heat on your hair.
You should never use any heat on your hair without using heat protectors first.
Likewise, avoid using any heat styling products on your hair if you can. This means no straighteners and no curling wands.
Summary
So, if you need to rehydrate your bleached hair, follow the steps we outlined above. This will help improve the quality of your hair, add hydration to your hair, and create softer hair.
Overall, our tips should prevent, or minimize, any hair breakage.