Raise your hand if you’ve been personally victimized by bleach. Ugh, it’s truly the worst, isn’t it?
Being blonde looks like it’s all fun and games until you fall prey to a bad stylist or even a DIY dye job that goes awry.
And if you’re currently dealing with damaged bleached hair, fret not, because we have some advice and tips to share. Tiffanie Richards, master colorist at Louise O’Conner Salon, shared her insights regarding rehabbing bleached hair, below!
All About Damaged Bleached Hair
If you have an inkling that your bleached hair is damaged, we think you should trust your gut. From brittle ends to hair falling out, damaged bleached hair is typically pretty easy to spot.
“Your ends will always be a telltale sign that your hair is damaged,” Richards adds. “If you see your ends are literally split, it’s time for a cut. For more intense damage you will notice while your hair is wet. It will have a cotton-like texture/appearance and will be stretchy. Healthy hair should not be able to be stretched like a piece of rubber where damaged hair will have an odd stretch to it.”
What to Do If You Damage Your Hair From Bleach
If you accidentally damage your hair from bleach, the number one rule is to leave your hair alone, and under no circumstances add more color to “fix it”.
Instead, Richards says, “Don’t panic and DO NOT over brush or touch. Leave your hair alone as much as possible. There are many products on the market now, such as Olaplex, to immediately help rebuild your hair. The sooner you act, the better chance of repair there will be. Also, the obvious haircut is recommended.”
The bad thing about bleach damage is that it’s pretty impossible to reverse once the deed is done, however, there are certain things you can keep in mind to avoid further damage. As we mentioned earlier, don’t add any more bleach to your hair.
Additionally, you’ll want to avoid heat styling as much as you can. “If your hair is already in a gummy state while wet, it means it’s lacking any kind of hydration,” shares Richards. “Heat styling is going to further this dehydration.”
The Recovery Process
Buckle up, because rehabbing damaged bleached hair is a marathon, not a sprint. The unfortunate reality is that the recovery process might take years, depending on the length and texture of your hair.
However, to help speed things along and get your hair back to its silky, voluminous, healthy nature, it’s all about focusing on rebuilding.
Richards tells us, “Chances of the hair 100% rebuilding are slim to none. When damage from lightener occurs you can only try to preserve and grow out. Patience is really key in these situations. Also, less is more. Hydration is extremely important, do NOT heat style and use hesitation when it comes to tight ponytails or buns.”
If you’re looking for treatments to add into your hair care routine, we suggest looking into Olaplex and Keratin.
Richards agrees, telling us, “Keratin treatments such as Lasio are great for damaged hair. This will help rebuild the keratin lost and will be much more managable for styling resulting in less heat styling. Let your stylist know that you want to be gentle and they will do the keratin treatment with a lower heat while ironing.”
She also discusses Olaplex, stating, “Products like Olaplex are created to help PREVENT damage. It’s not a miracle balm that can magically reverse damage that has already been done. It can help make it feel manageable but have realistic expectations.”
Invest in Good-For-Your-Damaged-Hair Products
When dealing with damaged bleached hair, rehabbing is going to take patience and the best products available on the market. From shampoo to conditioner, masks, and even leave-in conditioner, there are a few products we think you should definitely get your hands on.
When shopping for these products, Richards suggests looking “for words like hydration, moisture, and repair.” She goes on to say, “Avoid too many protein-driven products. While a little bit of protein is great to repair, too much will cause more brittleness. Look for a leave-in treatment for post-shower as well. Hask has a leave-in treatment made with argan oil. This product also protects from heat damage which will definitely be needed.”
Another product you’re going to benefit from is a hair mask, which we recommend using weekly. Richards tells us her favorite is Kitsch’s Bond Repair Treatment ($12), saying, “This is made with a vegan keratin-like protein that helps to seal the hair’s cuticle. This mask makes hair super soft and healthy-feeling after just one use.”
To Chop, or Not to Chop?
If you’ve noticed your hair seems less thick and that your hair brush is gobbling up larger-than-normal amounts of your locks, you might want to consider a cut.
However, if you were to cut off all of the damage, you wouldn’t be left with much. So we suggest taking off the ends of the hair that have the worst breakage.
And as the months go by, you’ll notice more hair growth, meaning you can continue to cut the dead ends off.