Can I color damaged bleached hair?

Author: Doris Lind Sr.  |  Last update: Thursday, May 8, 2025

Don't re-dye or re-bleach your hair As tempting as it might be—especially if you're dealing with a color you don't like or are bored with—this can further damage your hair. In the worst-case scenario, your hair may even break off.

Can you dye damaged bleached hair?

Yes, you can dye over bleached hair after a previous color has faded. Here are some tips to consider: Condition of Hair: Ensure your hair is in good condition. Bleached hair can be more porous and prone to damage, so deep conditioning treatments before dyeing can help.

How to tell if hair is too damaged to dye?

Generally it's best to tell when it's wet. If it's ``slimy or sticky'' when wet. If the individual strands are stretchy like an old rubber band. Hair shouldn't do that. When it's dry it's pretty obvious. If it looks super dry and frizzy it's usually from split ends and breakage already happening.

Can I dye over a bad bleach job?

Yes. You can use another colour of direct dye on previously bleached hair if the previous direct dye has faded. Or same colour. Direct dye is deposit-only colour and will not further damage your hair.

Can you color correct damaged hair?

Hair Treatments: Focus on repairing your hair first with protein treatments or bonding treatments before considering dyeing. In summary, while it's possible to dye damaged hair, it's essential to proceed with caution and prioritize hair health to avoid further damage.

5 Tips to Grow Out Dry, Damaged & Bleached Hair

What hair color is best for damaged hair?

Garnier Olia Oil Powered Permanent Hair Color

A top performer in GH Beauty Lab testing, Garnier's permanent color is made with no ammonia and a high concentration of nourishing oil so it's gentle on hair that's damaged from treatments like keratin or thinning strands.

Can you color correct bleached hair?

Color Correction with Dye

Often the least damaging and best color correction for bleached hair or hair that is too light is to dye it darker. A good stylist will first “fill” your hair to insert pigment back into your strands and give them warmth and prevent your end color from appearing flat and muddy.

How to fix messed up bleached hair?

Opt for a Toning Shampoo

A toning shampoo can be a surprisingly simple way to address a less than desirable bleach job. They are designed to neutralise any unwanted orange, yellow or green tints that have been left by the bleach, so if that's what you're struggling with, it's definitely worth a try.

Can I dye something I accidentally bleached?

Bleach actually damages fabric, making it very difficult to dye. If you still want to try and dye the garment, you could try using Rit Color Remover on the garment before dyeing.

How long should I wait to dye my hair after bleaching?

If you want to dye your hair after bleaching, it's safest to wait two weeks. However, you may not need to wait as long because bleach affects everyone's hair differently. Your stylist might feel comfortable dyeing your hair within a couple days if your hair doesn't feel too damaged after bleaching.

How to fix damaged bleached hair?

8 Ways to Fix Bleach-Damaged Hair
  1. Leave-in Conditioner. Using leave-in conditioner is a great way to bring moisture back into your bleached hair follicles and strengthen the hair shafts. ...
  2. Trimming. ...
  3. Avoid Heat Styling. ...
  4. Protein Treatments. ...
  5. Gentle Hair Care. ...
  6. Regular Hair Masks. ...
  7. Overnight Oil Treatment. ...
  8. Silk or Satin Pillowcases.

How to prep damaged hair for color?

Hair Care and Prep
  1. Space out your dye sessions by 2 months or so. Don't color your hair too frequently, or you'll worsen the damage. ...
  2. Trim away any split ends. ...
  3. Double-condition your hair. ...
  4. Nourish your locks with a protein treatment. ...
  5. Use a conditioning hair mask the day before coloring your hair.

What does a bad reaction to hair dye look like?

This means their skin may become red, dry, scaly, bumpy, blistered, or irritated (inflamed) when they come into contact with a particular substance. The substance may either be an irritant, directly damaging the skin, or an allergen, triggering an allergic reaction that affects the skin.

How do you know if your hair is too damaged to dye it?

If your hair absorbs the water in less than ten seconds, your cuticle is compromised and your strands are too damaged to stand up to bleach. Also, if your hair feels overly stretchy when wet, our condolences, but hold off on any procedures that could cause breakage.

What is the best color to cover badly bleached hair?

Blending With A Darker Hue

Dyeing your hair with a darker shade can help neutralize and counteract the unevenness caused by bleaching.

How long does it take for damaged bleached hair to recover?

As long as the hair follicle is preserved, the hair will regrow in most cases. Bleached hair will regrow at the same rate as other forms of damaged hair, which in a healthy growth cycle is typically between 6-12 months.

Can you dye your hair after bleach damage?

Yes, you can dye your hair after a bleach bath, but the outcome still largely depends on the condition of your hair after the bleach bath. Intrigued? Read on to learn more about the factors that could influence the results, and tips to achieve that vibrant hair color you've always wanted!

Can I colour over bleached hair?

When you bleach your hair you strip it of its natural pigments, which means it won't react to dye in the same way. Dye can come out darker than you would assume and you may need to use a protein filler. Speak to your stylist and be sure you're choosing the right colour and products for you.

Can you color hair that has been bleached?

Bleached hair is often porous. Porous hair absorbs the colour pigments from hair dye too quickly and too strongly. This is because the hair cuticles are damaged; the dye pigments penetrate faster and more effectively into the cortex of your hair. As a result, a new colour turns out much darker.

Can you reverse the damage of bleached hair?

While you can't undo all the damage bleach does, the fix here is to supply your hair with some added strength to prevent any additional breakage and achieve smoother strands.

What cancels out bleached hair?

If your lousy bleach job has come out more yellow, you'll need a purple toner. Purple shampoo can help neutralize the yellow. If your hair is orange, you'll need a blue toner. Try a blue shampoo to tone the brassiness and get rid of the orange.

How to repair chemically damaged hair?

Here are some ways to fix damaged hair caused by bleach or other chemical treatments:
  1. Cut off the split ends to avoid further hair breakage.
  2. Moisturize the hair with argan oil or olive oil, which will help rehydrate the hair and smooth the cuticle.
  3. Use products with UV-protection.

Can you put box dye on freshly bleached hair?

Yes - it's generally safe to colour your hair by yourself using a box dye as long as you do the following: Wait at least 2 weeks after you have bleached, colour-treated, highlighted, permed or relaxed your hair before colouring your hair again. Do a patch test 48 hours before colouring.

How much do color corrections cost?

On average, a salon will charge $100 per hour for a color correction.

Does color remover work on bleached hair?

Colour Remover Can't Help Lightened or Bleached Hair

The pigment has been lifted, meaning you'll need to rebuild it. A fresh Colour over your Lightened locks can seamlessly match your Natural hue or transition you into a new Shade.

Previous article
What hormone deficiency causes cellulite?
Next article
What is a pearl bump?