What damages bleached hair?

Author: Melisa Towne I  |  Last update: Saturday, September 6, 2025

Bleaching weakens the structure of the fiber by breaking down the natural protein in hair, resulting in slowed hair growth and the lifting of the cuticle which then leads to constant struggles with frizz, dryness and split ends.

What ruins bleached hair?

Go easy on heat styling

Bleach makes your hair brittle so that coupled with intense heat only causes your hair further damage. I love my Dyson Airwrap as it's much kinder to my hair & allows you to style you hair in beautiful ways without extreme heat.

What causes bleached hair to break?

Not only does bleaching raise the outer cuticle, it also damages the bonds inside the hair too (hair is made up of three types of bonds: hydrogen, disulfide and salt bonds) causing them to weaken and break, and when the internal structure of the hair is compromised, strands are more likely to split and snap.

Can bleached damaged hair be repaired?

While bleach damaged hair can't technically be wholly repaired, you can improve the look and feel of those stressed strands. With help from seasoned professionals who know how to repair bleach damaged hair, you can get your hair back on track and looking beautiful again.

How do you prevent bleached hair from damaging?

Here are some steps on how to prevent bleached damaged hair:
  1. Safety first. ...
  2. Use lukewarm water. ...
  3. Don't be in denial. ...
  4. Repair damaged hair through hair treatments. ...
  5. Protect new growth at the root by cleansing and conditioning. ...
  6. Use conditioner generously, and find a leave-in conditioner that doesn't feel too heavy.

5 Tips to Grow Out Dry, Damaged & Bleached Hair

How do I make my bleached hair healthy?

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 you reverse the damage of bleached hair?

While you can't undo all the damage bleach does, the fix here is to supply your hair with some added strength to prevent any additional breakage and achieve smoother strands.

Is hair permanently damaged by bleach?

Bleaching — especially if done regularly — can bring permanent changes to your hair texture.

Does coconut oil help bleached hair?

Coconut oil, with its rich fatty acids, might coat the hair and potentially minimize some of the damage caused by the bleaching process. Here's a caveat: the science on this is not entirely conclusive. Some hairdressers swear by it, while others recommend other treatments.

How to get hair healthy again?

How to Get Healthier Hair – and keep it that way!
  1. Step 1: Wash your hair less often. ...
  2. Step 2: Apply conditioner properly. ...
  3. Step 3: Use a hair mask weekly or as needed. ...
  4. Step 4: Protect hair when heat styling. ...
  5. Step 5: Minimize hair processing such as dyes, perms, relaxers. ...
  6. Step 6: Protect hair when going in the sun or swimming.

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 do I know if my hair is damaged from bleach?

Damaged hair appears to be brittle and straw-like. The shaft of the hair is sensitized, making it very fragile and prone to breakage. This usually leads to split ends and frizzy hair. Then hair feels stiff and crunchy with limited bounce and movement.

Do toners damage hair?

The potential for toner to damage your client's hair largely depends on various factors, such as the condition of the hair, the type of toner used, and the application process. When applied correctly and on healthy hair, toners typically do not cause damage.

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.

What does hair breakage look like?

Signs of hair breakage include: Frizzy, dull hairs in your hairbrush or comb after brushing. Split ends. White spots on individual hairs (they're easier to spot on brunette hair)

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.

How do I rehydrate my 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 oil should not be used on blonde hair?

“For blondes, this discoloration will be more noticeable than for other, darker hair shades.” That means oils that have slight tints, such as yellow or bronze, can mess with your color.

How to fix damaged hair from bleach?

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.

How to fix damaged hair from hydrogen peroxide?

After a hydrogen peroxide treatment, it is crucial to give the hair extra care and attention to help repair and protect the hair fibre. Start by using gentle shampoos and moisturising conditioners specially formulated for chemically treated hair.

Why is my hair so frizzy after bleaching?

Bleaching can weaken your hair's protein structure, making it more likely to break. Split ends are another common problem for bleach-damaged hair. Split ends occur when the ends of your hair split into two or more strands. This can make your hair look frizzy.

How long does it take hair to recover after bleaching?

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 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 wrongly bleached hair?

Re-Dye the Hair a Darker Colour

However, dyeing your hair a darker colour is the fastest way to resolve badly bleached hair. This is an especially good option if your hair was dark to begin with and the bleach has turned it orange, yellow or green!

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.

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