Can I dye my hair after a bad bleach job?

Author: Florian Haley IV  |  Last update: Tuesday, August 26, 2025

Melissa Gilbert, beautician at Fantastic Services, says that you don't want to be in too much of a rush to re-dye your hair (yup, even if it looks really, really bad). "Experts advise waiting at least 2 weeks (technically 15 days) before dyeing it again.

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 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!

How do you fix your hair after a bad bleach job?

The fastest method is to use another, darker hair dye to cover the unevenly bleached hair. If you bleached your hair to a medium blond, for example, you could cover it with a light brown. To fix uneven bleached hair you can either dye your hair in a darker color or bleach it again. Dye your Hair in a Darker Color.

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.

Hair Fails/Wins TikTok Compilation

What color cancels out bleached hair?

Blue and purple shampoos neutralise unwanted brassy tones to reveal a cooler blonde or light brown shade.

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 do you fix terribly 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 long does it take for hair to recover from bleach damage?

In some cases, the only way to fix damaged hair is to give it time, about 6 weeks after bleaching to see if your hair starts to recover.

How to correct hair color mistakes?

The trick is to use a shampoo that isn't a 'colour protecting' one, as it helps to strip your hair of any unwanted colour and lift it back to its lighter tones. It also helps to add a little bit of soap into the mix too.

Can you put brown box dye over bleached hair?

Yes, but if you dying it more than 2 levels darker you may need to use a filler.

How do you fix bleached hair that is too white?

You would want to replace the pigment that is missing from the hair. If it is white you would want to add a formula with red, copper and yellow as your hairs melanin is missing and it needs a base to stick to.

How soon can I recolor my hair if I don't like the color?

Generally speaking though, it's best to wait 4-6 weeks before having another color treatment – in most cases, this is enough anyway and reduces the risk of hair damage. There are some exceptions, but in general, it's better to err on the side of caution and wait for this long.

Can I dye damaged bleached hair?

Dyeing already damaged, bleached hair can potentially cause further damage, as both bleaching and dyeing are chemical processes that utilize Hydrogen Peroxide and high pH which can be harsh on your hair.

Can I dye my hair again after 2 days?

"Experts advise waiting at least 2 weeks (technically 15 days) before dyeing it again. However, this is the minimum amount of time and, in some cases, you may need to extend that period to 4 weeks.

How to fix bad hair color from salon?

If you had a bad coloring job your best bet is to visit a reputable beauty salon and have a trained professional perform corrective coloring that will rid you of the unnatural color and give your hair a second chance.

Is my hair permanently damaged after bleaching?

Bleaching raises your hair's outer cuticle to allow the bleaching agent to fully penetrate. Repeated bleaching can permanently raise your cuticle, which allows rapid and continuous loss of moisture from your strands. Damage from bleaching includes: Dry Hair.

How to reverse bleach damage?

How to Fix Bleach Damaged Hair
  1. #1 Use Heat Protectant.
  2. #2 Apply a Restorative Hair Bond Treatment.
  3. #3 Follow Proper Hair Brushing Protocols.
  4. #4 Go in For Regular Trims.
  5. #5 Treat Your Tresses to High-Quality Products.
  6. Restore Your Hair's Health with Living Proof.

What does fried hair look like?

Damaged hair becomes brittle and breaks easily. Your hair might look dull and dry, and the appearance of split ends is more noticeable. It can also be challenging to get your hair to lie flat.

How to fix hair after a bad bleach job?

Re-Dye the Hair a Darker Colour

Now, we understand you might be a bit nervous to put more dye on your hair after your bleaching disaster. However, dyeing your hair a darker colour is the fastest way to resolve badly bleached hair.

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 fix fried hair overnight?

“For very damaged hair, add a couple drops of argan oil into the conditioning treatment, wrap your head, and sleep. In the morning, rinse with lukewarm water—hot water causes inflammation.” This may be the best way to fix fried hair overnight.

How long does it take hair to recover from bleach?

We know the wait for hair recovery can feel neverending, but go easy on your locks. Depending on your hair, it could take up to two weeks before your strands feel ready to play again. If your bleach damage is more severe, you might need a month of care before your hair starts to feel smooth and shiny again.

Can I dye my hair again if I missed spots?

You Missed a Spot

For a more permanent solution, try applying the hair dye to the exact area you missed before. Make sure to position a mirror in the right spot so you can see it clearly. Or, turn to a professional hair colorist who will be able to seamlessly fill in any gaps in your hair color without overlap.

Does dying your hair twice make it lighter?

Generally speaking, hair dye won't lighten previously-colored hair. Why? Because it's not designed to! Hair dye is created to simply add color to your hair, not to lighten or remove color.

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