Can I use glycolic acid after bleaching?

Author: Prof. Athena Fisher Jr.  |  Last update: Friday, July 25, 2025

Glycolic acid is super important for the hydration of the hair. Creatine strengthens and restores bonds after bleaching, making hair stronger and healthier.

Does glycolic acid affect bleached hair?

While ``glosses'' are generally used for coloured hair to brighten/tone/enhance, glycolic is an acid and this will absolutely strip your colour, as it strips our skin.

Can I bleach my face while using glycolic acid?

Immediately After Treatment:

Avoid excessive sun exposure and wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily of SPF 30 or higher. (Retin-A), Retinol creams, bleaching creams, etc. for 7 days. Avoid waxing, bleaching, tweezing, lasers, and other skin treatments until your skin has fully healed.

What cannot be mixed with glycolic acid?

What NOT to mix with Glycolic Acid. Retinol, other AHAs/BHAs, Vitamin C: Using these ingredients alongside Glycolic Acid in the same routine could irritate the skin.

How to layer hydroquinone and glycolic acid?

Look for a product that combines both for easiest application, though you can also layer serums. Glycolic acid and hydroquinone: Since hydroquinone can cause a lot of irritation, most professionals recommend not combining it with glycolic acid.

The ordinary / glycolic acid🩸افضل منتج لحل مشاكل الكلف ، التصبغات، رائحة العرق و المناطق السوداء

What should not be layered with glycolic acid?

Combining glycolic acid and lactic acid can be quite potent and is generally not recommended due to the increased risk of irritation. Both acids are effective exfoliants, and using them together can over-exfoliate the skin.

What cannot be combined with hydroquinone?

Chan both agree hydroquinone does not play well with benzoyl peroxide, hydrogen peroxide, or other peroxide products. Not only will pairing them cause irritation and dryness, but it can also temporarily stain your skin.

What cancels out glycolic acid?

Glycolic acid and niacinamide.

Indeed, niacinamide used with AHA's like glycolic acid and lactic acid has no effect and can even cause redness. Since niacinamide has a pH of about 5-7, it can actually increase the lower pH of glycolic acid, which is about 3-4, and negate its properties.

Can glycolic acid make hyperpigmentation worse?

In some cases, however, it can have the opposite effect. Especially if you're prone to hyperpigmentation (a common issue for people with medium to dark brown skin tones, for example, as the body already makes extra melanin, which can lead to dark spots), glycolic acid could make the issue worse.

What is best to layer with glycolic acid?

Using glycolic acid and hyaluronic acid together can be highly beneficial, as they complement each other well. Here's how to combine them effectively: Layering Order: Apply glycolic acid first to exfoliate and prepare the skin. Follow up with hyaluronic acid to hydrate and replenish moisture.

Can you mix glycolic acid with bleach?

Never mix bleach with acid-based products, or any cleaning products.

What to apply after bleach on face?

Immediate Care For Face Burn After Bleaching
  1. Put your face in the ice bowl for a few minutes to reduce the redness and burn.
  2. Do not apply any other activated product as it can harm your skin.
  3. Apply aloe vera gel to keep your skin hydrated and cool.
  4. You can use raw milk to cure burns and inflammation from the bleach.

How long does it take for glycolic acid to lighten hyperpigmentation?

The Ordinary glycolic acid toner often shows initial results within one to two weeks. Better results, such as even skin tone and reduced dark spots, generally appear after four weeks of regular use.

What should you not use on bleached hair?

Heat is the worst thing you can apply to colour or bleach damaged hair. Steer clear of hot styling tools that will worsen the damage. If you must use a hot tool, be sure to use a heat protection spray.

Is it okay to leave glycolic acid on scalp overnight?

Overusing glycolic acid on the scalp or leaving it on too long too frequently can actually cause irritation and further flakiness issues, as well as weaken your hair. Limit your use of this product to once, maybe twice a week if that, and no more than 20 to 30 minutes at a time.

Is it safe to use glycolic acid on armpits?

Glycolic acid, like other exfoliating acids, can be irritating on the skin, especially when used on your armpits, where your skin is thin and the folds rub against each other, Dr. Garshick says. This can lead to redness, flaking and sensitivity.

Who should avoid glycolic acid?

Glycolic acid can cause irritation and redness if you have sensitive skin or overuse the product. Since glycolic acid can make your skin sensitive to the sun, remember to wear sunscreen and consider using glycolic acid at night.

What worsens hyperpigmentation?

As sun exposure worsens hyperpigmentation it is important to protect the skin with sunscreen on a daily basis. Treatment often begins with a skin care regimen composed of a daily sunscreen, moisturizers, and skin care brighteners.

Which is better for hyperpigmentation vitamin C or glycolic acid?

Yes, but glycolic acid is better for normal to dry skin, while vitamin C works well for all skin types, especially those prone to dullness or pigmentation.

What should you not mix with glycolic acid?

What NOT to mix with Glycolic Acid. Retinol, other AHAs/BHAs, Vitamin C: Using these ingredients alongside Glycolic Acid in the same routine could irritate the skin. However, alternating them between your morning and evening skincare routine means that you can enjoy the benefits without the risk of damaging your skin.

Can you overdo glycolic acid?

However, as with all chemical exfoliants, using glycolic acid too frequently, at too high a concentration, or incorrectly can result in skin irritation or damage.

What clashes with glycolic acid?

Retinoids and Glycolic Acid

Retinoids (including retinol) are fantastic for boosting cell turnover and fighting aging. However, pairing them with glycolic acid is like inviting two energetic party crashers into a small room—they can overwhelm your skin.

Can I use glycolic acid with hydroquinone?

Glycolic acid has been added to hydroquinone formulations in the past to enhance their depigmentation effects, but may cause irritation, leading to postinflammatory hyperpigmentation.

How to remove pigmentation from face permanently?

How to Get Rid of Hyperpigmentation from the Face Permanently?
  1. Topical Treatments with Active Ingredients. Topical treatments remain one of the most effective ways to target pigmentation at home. ...
  2. Chemical Peels. ...
  3. Laser Treatments. ...
  4. Sun Protection. ...
  5. Natural Remedies.

What is more powerful than hydroquinone?

Arbutin has been found to be the most effective active ingredient in our study, even more so than hydroquinone, despite being a naturally occurring derivative.

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