How do you know if bleach will ruin your hair?

Author: Briana Tremblay  |  Last update: Monday, March 31, 2025

The tell-tale signs of bleach damage are: Dry, brittle, and straw-like textures due to a loss of oils and lipids during chemical processing.

How to tell if bleach is damaging your hair?

  • Texture Changes : Damaged hair often feels rough, coarse, or straw-like.
  • Dryness and Brittleness : Over-bleached hair tends to be excessively dry and may break easily.
  • Split Ends : Frequent bleaching can lead to split ends.
  • Color Fading
  • Elasticity Loss
  • Frizz
  • Tangles

Will my hair be damaged if I bleach it?

Bleaching could also make your hair weaker and more prone to breakage. Bleaching causes 15% to 20% of the hair's protein bands to break. Keratins are the key proteins that make up your hair. So, when keratins break, the hair strands lose their structural integrity and become brittle.

How do I know if my hair is OK to bleach again?

If your hair feels in decent condition and youve seen no evidence of lifting, you can bleach again the day after. Be warned though, your scalp will be more sensitive as you wont have any natural oils on your hair. May be worth waiting a couple of days to let your hair get a bit greasy.

How long to bleach hair without damage?

There's a misconception that bleach will work better the longer you leave it on. The maximum amount of time you should leave bleach on your hair is 30 minutes. Any longer than that and you run the risk of serious damage, including brittle strands.

HAIR MISTAKES TO AVOID | Whats Bad For Your Hair | Bad Hair Habits To Break

What is the least damaging way to lighten your hair?

Natural bleaching agents like apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, chamomile tea, or cinnamon and honey can lighten hair gently and naturally with minimal damage.

What is level 7 hair?

The level system is made up of 10 numbers which help determine the depth level of your natural hair. 1 is black, 5 is light brown, 6 is dark blonde, 7 is blonde and 10 is the lightest blonde.

How long until bleached hair is healthy again?

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.

Why won't my hair bleach past orange?

If you tried to lighten your hair but the end result was a brassy orange colour, there's a good chance you're a brunette. Darker hair is made up of several underlying pigments which give your brown, dark brown or black hair depth and dimension, and red and orange are the most dominant undertones.

How to avoid damaging hair when bleaching?

How Can You Protect Your Hair If You Bleach It?
  1. Use a Deep-Conditioning Treatment. ...
  2. After Bleaching, Apply a Heat-Protectant when Styling. ...
  3. Use a Daily Shield on your Bleached Hair. ...
  4. Invest in a Good Conditioner.
  5. Brush Gently.

What does bleach damaged hair look like?

What Does Bleach Damaged Hair Look Like? The tell-tale signs of bleach damage are: Dry, brittle, and straw-like textures due to a loss of oils and lipids during chemical processing.

What happens if you don't use toner after bleaching?

Why is Toner Needed? Toners are more than just an accessory to your color treatment. They refresh and enhance your hair's tone, and they're a lifesaver for tackling any unwanted oranges, brassiness or yellows as bleaching exposes the hair's underlying pigments that can get damaged without further treatment.

Is it possible to go blonde without damage?

To put it simply, Kelly says “Yes, it is” but immediately adds that going blonde safely “requires the right expertise and products.” Immensely experienced at taking his clients blonde without ever compromising their hair health, Kelly shares with his clients that bleach isn't a conditioning agent, but to the contrary.

How do I know my hair is fried?

Rough or changed texture

Damaged straight hair can go from feeling smooth and silky to feeling rough and coarse. You may even describe heat damaged hair as feeling frayed or singed at the tips.

How long before hair bleach goes bad?

Everything expires eventually. However, bleaching powder can be stored up to at least a year. When it does start to expire it will just start to loose potency over a longer length of time but would still be usable. I would say after 2 years beyond its expiration date, toss it.

How to keep hair healthy after bleaching?

Bleached Hair Care: Hair Care Tips All Summer Long
  1. Use targeted treatments. ...
  2. Use intensive treatments every now and then. ...
  3. Protect your hair from external aggressors. ...
  4. Wash your hair a little less. ...
  5. Neutralise the 'bad' pigments. ...
  6. Be gentle with your hair. ...
  7. Remember your oils.

Can hair be too greasy to bleach?

Stylists advise that bleach does not need to go on clean hair, and that it's actually healthier for your hair to be a little oily when you bleach.

Will my hair ever go back to normal after bleaching?

Especially for bleach hair, you'll have to grow new hair to get your bleached hair back to usual. The time it would take depends mostly on how rapidly your hair grows, but it might take anywhere from two to three years.

How do I know if my hair can handle bleach?

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.

Will my hair grow more if I stop bleaching it?

Bleaching hair does not generally affect the actual growth of hair. Hair growths on average about half an inch a month. That is an average though. Some people's hair grows much faster or slower.

How long should I give my hair a break from bleach?

How Long Should You Wait Before Bleaching Your Hair Again? Ideally, you should bleach your hair no more than once every three to eight weeks. All Over Bleaching: When bleaching all-over, Clark recommends waiting until new growth reaches ½ inch and only applying the bleach to new growth.

What level blonde am I?

Identifying Your Hair Color Level

If your hair is dark brown or black, you're probably a level 1 to 4. If your hair is medium brown, you're likely a level 5 or 6. If your hair is a darker blonde or light brown, you're probably a level 7 or 8. And, if you have light blonde hair, you're likely a level 9 or 10.

How long to leave bleach in hair?

We recommend leaving the bleach in the hair for 15-45 minutes. Because some people will experience their desired lift in less time, always check the hair every 5 minutes or so throughout the process.

What two hair colors look good together?

Two-Tone Hair Color Ideas for a Bold and Beautiful Look
  • Black-and-Blonde Hair. Be a brunette and a blonde at the same time with this hair color combo. ...
  • Black-and-Gray, Two-Tone Hair. ...
  • Green-and-Brown Hair. ...
  • Purple and Pink. ...
  • Monochromatic Purple. ...
  • Pastel Pink and Green. ...
  • Red and Moss Green. ...
  • Red Orange Underlayer Hair Color.

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