Purchasing Bleach-Friendly Products
Stick with sulfate-free products made for color-treated hair. Sulfates are full of salt, which can dry out and damage your hair. When picking up shampoo, conditioner, hairspray, or other products, read the labels carefully. Avoid anything containing sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonium laureth sulfate, or sodium laureth sulfate. You should also make sure that every product you use is formulated for use on color-treated hair to ensure your locks remain healthy.
Invest in purple shampoo to keep your hair from looking yellow. A purple shampoo will gently tone your hair and keep it from looking too yellow or brassy. You can find purple shampoo formulated for bleached hair at your salon as well as beauty supply stores. Use it the same way you would a regular shampoo, and rinse it out with cool water to seal the hair cuticle. You can use the purple shampoo each time you wash your hair. If you find that it tones your hair too much, simply use a clarifying shampoo the next time you wash your hair to strip out the toner.
Do an oil treatment once a week to add moisture and shine. You can use coconut or argan oil to rehydrate your tresses. Put a small amount of oil in your hands and coat your hair from the mid-lengths to the ends. Cover your hair with a shower cap and let it soak in for a few hours, or even overnight. Simply rinse it out with cool water in the morning and you’re good to go!
Protect your hair from the sun with a UV-protectant product. The UV rays in sunlight can damage your hair and even cause it to turn a brassy color. If you plan to be outside, you can apply a UV-protectant product to your tresses to limit the damage from the sun’s rays. Just spray it on your hair as per the package instructions before going outside. Alternatively, wear a hat or scarf to keep your hair out of the sun.
Washing Your Hair
Shampoo your hair every 3 days to keep it from drying out. Washing your hair strips it of its natural oils, which can lead to dull, lifeless hair. If you prefer to shower more often than every 3 days, you can wear a shower cap to keep your hair dry.
Condition your hair each time you wet it to smooth it out. If you skip the shampoo in the shower but still wet your hair, be sure to apply conditioner. Bleaching your hair can dry it out, and conditioner helps to strengthen and smooth the hair. Apply it from the mid-lengths of your hair to the ends and rinse it out with cool, not warm, water to close the cuticle and lock in the moisture.
Use dry shampoo in between washes if your hair looks greasy. Dry shampoo is available in either a powder or aerosol variety. This product absorbs oil and adds texture and shine. If your hair is looking greasy or limp, you can easily refresh it with dry shampoo. Sprinkle a small amount of powder on the roots, or spray the dry shampoo 6 inches (15 cm) from your roots. Massage the powder into your scalp then thoroughly brush your hair to distribute the product.
Use leave-in conditioner to replenish your hair’s moisture. A leave-in conditioner can provide your hair with much-needed moisture and prevent it from drying out during the day. Choose a leave-in conditioner formulated for your specific hair type. Work it into your hair from the mid-lengths to the end while your hair is damp, and don’t rinse it out. You can use a leave-in conditioner every day if you want, or only once or twice per week.
Pat your hair dry instead of rubbing it with a towel to prevent breakage. The fibers of a regular towel can pull your hair and cause it to break. Instead of vigorously scrubbing your hair to get it dry, gently pat out the excess moisture. Use a microfiber towel or old T-shirt in place of a regular towel to prevent your hair from catching in the fibers.
Styling Bleached Hair
Limit your use of heat-styling tools to keep your hair healthy. Heat-styling tools, like blow dryers, flat irons, and curling irons, dry out your hair and can cause damage. If you want to keep your bleached locks looking healthy, let your hair air dry and try no-heat styles like braids, buns, or beachy waves. You could also use Velcro or foam rollers to create cute no-heat styles.
Use a heat-protectant spray if you do use heat-styling tools. If you just can’t go without your blow dryer or flat iron, be sure to invest in a heat-protectant product. These products contain silicone which evaporates quickly, leaving your hair smoother and less porous. Heat-protectants also prevent moisture loss. Simply spray the product onto damp tresses, then comb it through to distribute it evenly. Style your hair as usual.
Touch up the roots only to prevent further damage. When your hair grows out and the roots start to show, you may be tempted to bleach all your hair again. However, repeated bleaching treatments can severely damage your hair. Bleach only the roots, rather than all of your hair. It’s best to have this done by a stylist to ensure the color remains even.
Get a trim every 6 weeks. Bleaching your hair makes it more susceptible to split ends, so you’ll want to have your hair cut regularly. Most stylists suggest you come in for a trim every 6 weeks to keep your hair as healthy as possible.
Practicing Everyday Care
Comb your hair with a wide-tooth comb to reduce breakage. Bleached hair is fragile, especially when it’s wet! Instead of ripping through snarls with a regular hairbrush, use a wide-tooth comb. Begin at the ends of your hair and work your way carefully to the roots.
Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase. Cotton pillowcases actually draw moisture out of your hair. Smooth fabrics, like silk or satin, do not. These pillowcases also reduce tangles and frizz, leading to smoother hair and less styling time in the morning.
Wet your hair with fresh water before swimming. If you have plans to spend a day at the beach or pool, you should rinse your hair before getting in the water. Salt water can dry out hair, while chlorine can turn it green. Wetting it with fresh water first keeps your hair from soaking up the salt water or pool water and will keep it healthier.
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