Does water fade bleached hair?

Author: Dr. Jordon Hickle  |  Last update: Sunday, July 13, 2025

The chemical is present in hard and soft water, commonly used as a disinfectant to treat water supplies. It contains bleach, which can break down the hair dye and cause the natural pigment to fade. Take precautions before jumping into a swimming pool if you have bleached hair.

Does water ruin bleached hair?

Yes bleach will still work if there's water in it as long as there's not too much water. Bleach will also work on slightly wet hair. But it will slow the process down if there's any water involved. And if theres too much water it will stop the bleach from processing.

Does water deactivate hair bleach?

If you're applying bleach to wet hair, keep in mind that the color of your strands won't lift as much as it would if applied to dry hair. This is because the water on your hair will dilute the bleach, resulting in softer results. For a subtle color change, your colorist may use bleach on wet hair.

Does bleached hair fade when you wash it?

Yes, blonde on bleached hair can fade over time. Several factors contribute to this fading: Hair Porosity: Bleached hair tends to be more porous, which means it can absorb and lose color more quickly. Shampoo and Products: Some shampoos, especially those with sulfates, can strip color from hair.

Does wetting your hair make the color fade?

Not unless you want less color, lighter color, are hoping for faster fading, or your hair is very, very porous. Wet hair is full of water. The dye can't soak into the spaces where there is water, so you'll get less dye overall.

HOW TO FADE OUT HAIR DYE WITHOUT RUINING YOUR HAIR (7 METHODS)

Does rinsing hair with water fade color?

The hotter the water, and the more often you rinse with hot water, the faster your colour will fade. Instead, wash in warm water and rinse in cold. The cold water will actually seal the cuticle and leave your hair looking extra glossy. Avoid washing your hair for as long as humanly possible.

Why is blonde hair darker when wet?

But when light hits wet hair, some of the light reflecting off the surface of the hair strikes the inside surface of the water film at the right angle to be reflected or refracted back onto the hair again. This creates a second chance for the light to be absorbed, making the hair appear darker.

What makes bleached hair fade?

Porosity of Hair

With higher porosity (i.e. “holes”), the ability to retain hair dyes will be lower. This also explains why hair colours that require bleaching tend to fade faster than dyes that don't, due to the higher damage level posed to the hair.

Can I wet my hair after bleaching?

Avoid washing your hair for the first 48-72 hours after bleaching it. Give your hair ample time to seal in its new color. Because bleaching is such a volatile process, your cuticles remain open for longer immediately following a bleaching session.

What hair color doesn't fade fast?

Darker hair colors like deep black, espresso brown, and blue-black tend to fade the slowest.

Does water cancel bleach?

When bleach and water are mixed together to create a cleaning or disinfecting solution, the solution is only good for 24 hours. The temperature of the water does not affect the cleaning or disinfecting abilities of the solution. After the 24 hours, the solution begins to lose needed disinfecting properties.

Does water reactivate lightener?

If you are rinsing your foils early & do not rinse thoroughly the water will reactivate your lightener.

How many levels will bleach bath lift?

How many levels does a bleach bath lift? A bleach bath can lift hair color by one to two levels. This is typically not as significant as the lightening achieved through traditional bleaching. However, a bleach bath is a gentler option that can be effective for those looking to achieve a subtle lightening effect.

Does water neutralize hair bleach?

Water on your hair will dilute the bleach, too, resulting in a more subtle color change. This is beneficial for those who only want to lift their color a few levels, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's a good idea. Wet hair is more fragile than dry hair (meaning there is more room for damage).

How to sleep with bleached hair?

Sleeping with your hair up actually protects it from night-time damage, especially if it's sensitized by bleaching. After applying Serum Cicanuit, simply tie your hair in a loose bun at the top of your head.

Why is my bleached hair turning green?

If you have little or no warm pigments in your hair, the ash colour can give your hair a green tint. The same can happen when your hair is bleached or de-coloured. Here too, the problem is that there is little or no warmth left in the hair and thus no red pigment that can neutralise the green/blue pigment in the dye.

Does water damage bleached hair?

Additionally, certain hair types are at a greater risk of damage when washing their hair in chlorinated tap water, including: Fine or thin hair. Color-treated or bleached hair.

What should I do immediately after bleaching my hair?

After bleaching, your hair needs some 'TLC', so be gentle and detangle your hair when it is still wet using a flat brush, as opposed to drying it roughly with a towel. And leave your hair to air dry whenever possible; it's time to decommission the dryer for the summer. Remember your oils.

Is it OK to bleach wet hair?

The short answer is yes.

What cancels out bleached hair?

Use a purple or blue shampoo

Pick your toning shampoo based on the original colour of your hair before you applied the bleach. Blue and purple shampoos neutralise unwanted brassy tones to reveal a cooler blonde or light brown shade.

How long does bleached hair take to fade?

Bleached hair doesn't fade back to your natural hair colour in the same way that other dyes will. However, it can become darker or duller over time if the toner washes out, leading to yellow pigments becoming visible again.

Do you rinse bleach with cold water hair?

Discover why cold water is a big no-no when it comes to rinsing your scalp bleaches. Learn how warm water helps open the cuticle for better penetration of toner, resulting in a more predictable and long-lasting blonde look.

Why does bleached hair look yellow when wet?

Your hair will mainly be exposed to your tap water due to hair washing. This water is actually filled with metals and minerals, and since blonde hair is very porous, these will be absorbed, causing a slight yellow tint.

Does blonde hair get lighter in the sun?

While the sun can cause subtle changes in hair color through the breakdown of melanin pigments, it won't dramatically lighten or bleach hair like chemical processes do. The extent of the color change varies depending on factors such as natural hair color, long periods of exposure, and hair condition.

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