How To Care For Bleach-Damaged Hair

Real talk: Hair color comes in handy to add pizzazz to your locks, but one misstep during the application and hair-care process can take a toll on your strands. While frizzy or knotty strands may be the first thing that comes to mind, it’s possible to find yourself left with bleach-damaged hair. Whether you’re dealing with dry, brittle strands or hair breakage, it can be frustrating to tackle. That’s why it’s important to nail the right hair-care routine to get your locks back into shape. If you’re not sure where to start with your mane, we can help. Ahead, we’re giving you the lowdown on how to care for bleached hair, including the best shampoo for bleached hair and other product recs to revive your mane.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU BLEACH YOUR HAIR?

First things first, let’s establish precisely why bleached hair requires special care. We’re not against coloring your hair—just the opposite, actually. However, doing so requires you to adjust your hair-care routine slightly. It’s widely known and confirmed by the Cleveland Clinic that bleaching your hair can strip it of its protective fibers and oils. This will leave you with a mane that’s more susceptible and prone to becoming dry and damaged.

Hair bleach has to reach deep down into the hair shaft to serve its purpose of lifting the color, so it can also cause the shaft to become thinner. Again, the result here is hair that’s more prone to damage. This is precisely why it’s essential to get the intel on how to care for bleached hair properly.

DOES BLEACHING YOUR HAIR DAMAGE IT FOREVER?

If you’ve been wondering about bleach damaging your mane forever, there’s no need to panic—you won’t have any long-term effects. That said, bleach-damaged hair requires extra TLC. It’s also important to let the damage grow out over time. If your ends are super damaged, you’ll likely need a haircut. As your new hair grows in, you may have contrasting roots to deal with, but your strands won’t be damaged and you can start fresh.

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF BLEACH-DAMAGED HAIR

Now that you have a better understanding of bleach-damaged hair, it’s time to take action. Consider our seven tips below to help you learn how to care for bleached hair properly.

BLEACHED HAIR-CARE TIP #1: USE COLOR-SAFE SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER

This first tip may seem obvious, but we’re listing it first because it’s essential to achieve healthy-looking hair. In order to maintain your new hue for the long haul and help keep your bleached strands from becoming damaged, you’ll need to use the right shampoo and conditioner.

If you’re a blondie and you’re planning to keep your hair lightened for the long term, use a blonde-boosting shampoo and conditioner system, like the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Blonde Shampoo and the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Blonde Conditioner. This sulfate-free duo is formulated with iris and helps to balance and neutralize brassiness in just one use. It also hydrates over-processed blonde hair to leave you with soft and shiny strands. Conditioner is a key part of how to hydrate bleached hair, so don't skimp on this essential. Once or twice a week, swap out your conditioner for the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Blonde Shade Reviving Treatment to show your strands some extra love by intensely nourishing your strands.

As for those who don’t have blonde hair but have still used bleach to achieve another hair color, try the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Repair and Defend Shampoo and the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Repair and Defend Conditioner. This pair is formulated with goji and deeply conditions and strengthens fragile strands. It also repairs and protects strands from environmental damage and daily color aggression. Trade in your conditioner for the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Repair Remedy Balm once or twice a week. This hair mask works to intensely repair and restore strength to damaged locks.

BLEACHED HAIR-CARE TIP #2: USE A DEEP CONDITIONER FOR EXTRA TLC

While shampoo and conditioner is a need-to-have staple for bleach-damaged hair, you’d be surprised to see how a deep conditioning treatment can transform your mane. This hair-care staple provides your strands with a more thorough conditioning, leaving you with lasting moisture. Consider trying the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Rapid Reviver Deep Conditioner, which is formulated with a conditioning serum, antioxidants, and pomegranate and works in just sixty seconds. Swap it into your routine in place of your regular conditioner to score a mane that’s hydrated, silkier, and shinier. Bonus: It will also help enhance and revive your new hair color.

BLEACHED HAIR-CARE TIP #3: FIGHT BRASSINESS WITH TINTED SHAMPOO

Bleached strands can have a tendency to become brassy, which we’re guessing isn’t on your wish list. Thankfully, you can make those unwanted warm tones yesterday’s news with the help of purple shampoo. The L’Oréal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Purple Shampoo for Color Treated Hair is our best purple shampoo for bleached hair. It keeps brassiness at bay and maintains your mane’s vibrancy between coloring sessions. Be sure to follow up with the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Purple Conditioner for Color Treated Hair for the best  results.

BLEACHED HAIR-CARE TIP #4: TURN DOWN YOUR WATER TEMPERATURE

Hot water feels like the ultimate delight, but it can strip your hair (and skin) of natural oils, which can lead to fading color and dryness. Play it safe and turn down the water temperature when you shower.

BLEACHED HAIR-CARE TIP #5: USE HEAT-PROTECTANT BEFORE STYLING

This tip goes for hair of all types—even virgin hair—because using hot tools without a heat protectant is a recipe for damage. Not to mention, it can cause your hair color to fade prematurely. Whatever hairstyle you’re about to create, start by spritzing on the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle SLEEK IT Iron Straight Heatspray before heat-styling. Aside from providing 450-degree heat protection, this staple conditions, seals in shine, and calms frizz.

BLEACHED HAIR-CARE TIP #6: USE A LEAVE-IN TREATMENT

In case you haven’t noticed, bleach-damaged hair needs all the hydration that it can get. Once your wash session is complete, you’ll want to apply a leave-in hair treatment to damp strands that will help seal in moisture and keep your strands hydrated. Try the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil Deep Nourishing Treatment Serum, which works to hydrate and nourish your mane for soft, shiny, and lightweight strands. Smooth on a small amount of product onto your damp hair, making sure to concentrate on the ends—no need to rinse. Style your strands as desired. You can also use this treatment as a pre-shampoo treatment or as a finishing oil.

BLEACHED HAIR-CARE TIP #7: SHIELD YOUR STRANDS FROM THE SUN

According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), the sun can make hair weak, brittle, and dry, and this is especially true for a mane that’s been bleached. If you’re planning to spend an extended amount of time outdoors, bring a wide-brimmed hat with you, and seek shade as often as possible.

Next up: If you want to lighten up your mane without the full commitment of a full head of lighter locks, we can help. Click through to our article, How To Highlight Your Hair at Home to get some pointers.