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

Author: Asha Greenfelder DDS  |  Last update: Saturday, August 16, 2025

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. Be patient; you'll get there.

How long does hair take to repair after bleaching?

Answer: It may take 6 to 12 months for damaged hairs to grow back. If you are concerned it is best to see a doctor for an examination. Answer: It may take 6 to 12 months for damaged hairs to grow back. If you are concerned it is best to see a doctor for an examination.

Can bleach damaged hair be repaired?

Will damaged hair repair itself? 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.

Will your hair go back to normal after bleaching it?

You have literally removed all the colour from that hair, and it won't come back. The new hair you grow will be your normal hair colour, so you just have to wait for it to grow out (or dye the bleached part, but those results may vary).

How do you recover from hair loss after bleaching?

Use protein and moisture treatments. Use rice water for protein. Use dehydration treatment for moisture. Apply jojoba oil on hair ends every night. Use El Rosemary oil as a scalp treatment. Use summer spray to protect against UV rays and high temperatures. Use Shea Moisture line for hydrating shampoo and conditioner.

PART 1: HOW I FIXED EXTREMELY DAMAGED HAIR

Can bleach permanently damage your hair?

Bleaching — especially if done regularly — can bring permanent changes to your hair texture. You could find your hair becoming drier, thicker, or rougher after frequent bleaching. Your hair strands swell. Bleaching agents cause your hair cuticles to swell making your hair look more voluminous after a bleaching session.

How long does damaged hair take to heal?

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 do I get my hair back after bleaching it?

The following tips, tricks, and hair care treatments can help you start to repair your damaged hair.
  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.

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 long does it take for your hair to be virgin again?

Once you have processed or color-treated hair, it can never go back to being virgin. That's right, once you've dyed your hair, even just once, you lose your virgin strands forever.

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 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.

How to reverse hair damage from bleach?

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.

What does chemically damaged hair look like?

What does chemically damaged hair look like? If you're seeing frizzy, dull, and dry hair, or if you're experiencing split ends, breakages or hair loss, chances are you've got a spot of chemical damage. Those of us with curly hair might notice our curls are less defined and may even become straight.

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.

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 long does it take for bleached hair to recover?

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.

Why is my hair so tangled after dying it?

Having dry or damaged hair.

To that point, using products with drying ingredients and/or getting chemical treatments that can damage the hair (bleaching, straightening) can ultimately contribute to your hair tangling easily.

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 long does it take for damaged hair to grow out?

Marina Hodgins, owner at Fringe Benefits Gloucester, agrees that clients will be looking at six to twelve months for their damaged hair to grow out, "It is advisable to use a professional hair care routine to nourish the hair and scalp which will speed up the growing out process.

How to fix bleached hair that turned yellow and orange?

An easier way to fix yellow and orange tones is to use products made for home use. This type of product often contains purple or blue pigments to neutralize brassy tones.

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.

Should I cut damaged hair or grow it out?

All experts agree on this: when hair is damaged, it must be cut off. “If the damage is so bad (you're bleaching too much or using too much heat), that's when it becomes a cut instead of a trim,” says Polko. “You're going to have to commit and then let your hair grow back out.”

Can damaged hair go back to normal?

As we've noted, damaged hair repair isn't possible because the protein bonds and cuticles have been permanently altered. Instead, the focus should be on maintaining hair to prevent further damage. If your hair is severely damaged, the most extreme solution is to cut it off and start fresh.

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