How long does it take for hair to recover from bleach?

Author: D'angelo Sporer  |  Last update: Monday, April 7, 2025

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.

How long does it take for hair to go back to normal after bleaching?

In summary, while some improvements can be seen in weeks, full recovery for severely bleached and damaged hair may take several months to a year, depending on individual circumstances and care practices.

How long does it take to heal damaged bleached hair?

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. In most cases, damaged hair will grow back healthy. There are also many treatments to help bring damaged hair back to life.

Can bleached hair go back to normal?

Yes, it is possible to completely recover from hair dye/bleach damage, as long as the scalp has not been burned, scarred or damaged in any way. Best wishes to all.

How do I heal my hair after bleaching?

How to Care for Bleach Damaged Hair
  1. Use Gentle Shampoos. ...
  2. Always Apply Conditioner. ...
  3. Try This Hair Mask Trick. ...
  4. Reach for a Leave-In Conditioner. ...
  5. Detangle Hair with Care. ...
  6. Shield Hair from the Heat. ...
  7. Only Wear Gentle Hair Ties. ...
  8. Color Hair with a Glaze.

Why you will never get ‘That Hair’. (I tried for 10 years, brutally honest)

Can bleached hair become healthy again?

Will your hair be as soft as it was when it was virgin? No — it's important to manage your expectations here. But a thorough routine will ensure that your bleached hair stays hydrated and experiences as little damage as possible by delivering tons of moisture, fatty oils, and repairing ingredients back into your locks.

How long does it take to repair damaged hair?

Moderately damaged hair may start to return to its “usual self” in two to three months after using heat with caution & twice-weekly treatments, especially if you use treatments & ingredients such as jojoba oil that are specifically targeted at rebuilding your hair's protein & restoring its lipids.

How to tell if your hair is damaged from bleach?

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. If that radiant shine your hair once boasted is now subdued, blame the bleach! It affects the hair's cuticle layer, making it less reflective, leading to a loss of natural luster.

How to rehydrate hair?

How to Hydrate Hair
  1. Use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. ...
  2. Try a conditioning hair moisturizer. ...
  3. Turn down the dial when you shower. ...
  4. Use a deep conditioning mask. ...
  5. Apply a nourishing hair serum. ...
  6. Take a break from hot tools when you can. ...
  7. Use a heat protectant. ...
  8. Lather up less frequently.

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 long will it take for my curls to come back after bleaching?

Everyone's hair is different, so while it may take your friend just a few weeks to see their curls return to their former glory, you may have to wait a couple of months. The quickest way to see results is to cut off your damaged strands.

Why is my hair so thin after bleaching?

When people bleach their hair, there is the time it goes on the scalp and penetrates underneath into the hair follicles, which will harm the skin barrier (acid mantle) and the microbiome and cause irritation and inflammation. This temporary type of hair loss is called telogen effluvium.

How do I know if my hair follicles are damaged?

Hair loss is the most obvious way you can tell that your follicles are in distress. Of course, some hair loss is expected every day, but if you've been losing an increasing amount of hair, this indicates that there might be damage.

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.

How to hydrate hair after bleaching?

How to Rehydrate Your Hair After Bleaching
  1. Wash your hair less often. ...
  2. Condition more. ...
  3. Use a hair mask. ...
  4. Dry your hair gently after washing. ...
  5. Keep brassiness at bay. ...
  6. Add a hair oil into the mix. ...
  7. Skip the heat styling. ...
  8. See your stylist for a hair gloss treatment.

What hydrates the hair most?

“Look for products with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or aloe vera, which hydrate without leaving a greasy residue,” says Garshick. “Use a lightweight conditioner and avoid heavy oils or creams. A leave-in conditioner spray or a volumizing conditioner can also help add moisture without making hair flat.”

How to repair damaged hair fast at home?

Here's how.
  1. Choose the Right Shampoo and Conditioner. Let's start at the beginning. ...
  2. Drench Your Strands in Moisture. ...
  3. Prioritize Overnight Hair Masks. ...
  4. Incorporate a Repairing Serum. ...
  5. Style with Nourishing Oils. ...
  6. Opt for Heat-Free, Low-Tension Hairstyles. ...
  7. Use a Cool-Mist Humidifier. ...
  8. Detangle with Care.

How do you fix badly 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.

What is the best shampoo for damaged hair?

Best Shampoos for Damaged Hair
  • Crown AffairThe Volumizing Shampoo for Oily, Flat Hair. ...
  • Living ProofPerfect hair Day (PhD) Hydrating Shampoo. ...
  • NécessaireRosemary Shampoo For Thinning Hair. ...
  • amikaThe Kure Strength Repair Shampoo​ ...
  • K18 Biomimetic HairscienceDAMAGE SHIELD pH Protective Shampoo.

Does putting coconut oil on your hair help?

Coconut oil can have many benefits for your hair and scalp. It is used to relieve dandruff, restore luster to dry and damaged hair, tame frizz, and protect hair against styling damage. It is safe to use on all hair types.

How do you know if your hair is permanently damaged?

8 Telltale Signs That Your Hair Is Damaged
  1. 01 of 08. Hair Isn't Shiny or Bouncy. ...
  2. 02 of 08. You're Dealing with Breakage. ...
  3. 03 of 08. Ends are Thinned Out. ...
  4. 04 of 08. There's Lots of Tangling. ...
  5. 05 of 08. It's Not Growing. ...
  6. 06 of 08. Hair is Crunchy or Stiff When Wet. ...
  7. 07 of 08. Your Hair Feels Brittle. ...
  8. 08 of 08. It's Hard to Manage.

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