How to Take Care of Bleached Hair

Looking to try out a new hair color trend? Whatever you’re going for, whether bright blonde, balayage, or a bold rainbow shade, creating your new hue will probably require some bleaching along the way. If you’re already a blonde, you still might need to bleach in order to achieve your desired level of lightness. On the other hand, if you’re a brunette or redhead, you’ll like need to lighten things up before applying your final color. Either way, bleached hair, and color-treated hair in general, requires special care in order to maintain its health and integrity. Don’t panic, with a few tips and tweaks for your hair care and styling routines, maintaining your new hue and caring for the health of your bleached hair is totally doable. Here, we’re breaking down exactly how to take care of bleached hair.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU BLEACH YOUR HAIR

First things first, let’s establish exactly why bleached hair requires special care. We’re not against coloring your hair—just the opposite actually! However, doing so will require that you adjust your hair care routine slightly. It’s widely known, and confirmed by the Cleveland Clinic, that bleaching your hair can strip the protective fibers and oils from your hair. The result is hair that’s more susceptible and prone to becoming dry and damaged. Because the hair bleach has to reach deep down into the hair shaft in order to serve its purpose of lifting the color, it can also cause the hair shaft to become thinner. Again, the result here is hair that’s more prone to damage. This is precisely why it’s important to take a few extra steps to care for your bleached strands. Keep reading to learn how.

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF BLEACHED HAIR

Wondering exactly what you can do to help minimize damage and care for your bleached hair? Add these tips to your hair care routine ASAP.

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 so very important. In order to maintain your new hue for as long as possible, and also help keep your bleached hair 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.

As for those who don’t have blonde hair but have still used bleach to achieve another hair color, try a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner system that’s targeted at preventing damage, such as the L'Oréal Paris EverPure Repair and Defend Shampoo and the L'Oréal Paris EverPure Repair and Defend Conditioner.

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

Another way to help ward off damage and keep your bleached hair hydrated and healthy is to incorporate a deep conditioning treatment into your routine. While switching up your shower routine may sound like a hassle, using a deep conditioner doesn’t have to be tedious. The L'Oréal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Rapid Reviver Deep Conditioner, for example, works in just sixty seconds. Swap it into your routine in place of your regular conditioner, applying it after shampoo for hair that’s hydrated, silkier, and shinier. Bonus: It will also help enhance and revive your new hair color.

Editor’s note: Looking to curate the perfect three-step hair care system? Our deep conditioner rec pairs perfectly with the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Intensive Protecting Shampoo and the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Intensive Protecting Conditioner.

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

Bleached hair can have a tendency to become brassy, which we’re guessing isn’t on your wish list. So, what can you do about it? Well, there’s actually one pretty easy way to defend your strands against brassiness: You can use a purple or blue shampoo. If you have bleached blonde hair or highlights, try using the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Brass Toning Purple Sulfate Free Shampoo (with the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Brass Toning Purple Sulfate Free Conditioner). If you’ve bleached your hair and currently have brunette locks, a blue shampoo will be the way to go.

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

As nice as a hot shower feels, it can also strip your hair (and skin) of its natural oils, which can lead to color fading and also dry strands. But there’s an easy fix—simply turn down the water temperature when you shower. Lukewarm is ideal, and even though it doesn’t feel as good, we promise it’ll be worth it.

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 causing damage. Whatever hairstyle you’re about to create, start by spritzing on the L'Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle SLEEK IT Iron Straight Heatspray before you even think about picking up your blow dryer or hot tools.

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

After you’ve shampooed and conditioned, applying a leave-in hair treatment to damp strands will help seal in the moisture and keep them hydrated. Try the L'Oréal Paris EverPure 10-In-1 Elixir, which is a total hair and scalp solution for those with color-treated hair. It will help nourish, hydrate, smooth, and repair hair with continued use over time. To use, apply a small amount of product onto your damp hair and scalp in sections, then comb through to evenly distribute. That’s it! Don’t rinse it out, just go about styling as usual.

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 hair 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: Want to lighten things up but aren’t ready to commit to a full-head of lighter locks? Here’s How to Highlight Your Hair at Home.