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Achieving soft and silky hair after the bleaching process requires a dedicated and strategic approach to your hair care routine. Bleached hair can often become dry, brittle, and prone to damage due to the chemicals used during the lightening process breaking down the keratin proteins in your hair. However, with the right products, techniques, and consistent care, you can revitalise and nourish your bleached locks, restoring their softness and silkiness. In this guide, we'll explore a range of bleached hair tips and practices to help you achieve the luxurious, healthy hair you desire, all while avoiding common mistakes that can exacerbate the challenges of maintaining bleached hair.
1. Use high-quality haircare products for bleached hair
Selecting the right, high-quality haircare products for your bleached hair can be tricky but with our guidance, we hope that we make the process a little bit easier. The key factors you need to consider when choosing a product that is suitable for you are that they are sulphate-free, offer deep hydrating ingredients, contain natural oils and have colour-protecting qualities to keep your white, bleachy tones in tack. Pump’s Repair My Hair Pack offers a comprehensive range to kickstart your hair repair journey, all of which are colour-treatment-friendly solutions to getting your hair back to feeling soft and silky again.
Repairing shampoo and conditioner
Treating your hair with chemicals to achieve white tones can subject the hair shaft and scalp to significant stress. Therefore, it is crucial to choose shampoos and conditioners that can repair and shield your hair cuticles from additional harm while also preserving your desired hair colour. Pump’s Blonde Trio is an excellent three-step treatment regimen for revitalising your gorgeous locks while preventing brassy tones and providing deep hydration. Alternatively, the Pump Repair Trio is designed to restore moisture to your hair without the addition of toner.
Hair masks
Hair masks are another great way to give your hair that extra boost of moisture to help lock in the hair shaft and protect it from breakage. Our personal favourite is Pump’s Repair Mask formulated with jojoba seed oil and shea butter gives your hair a deep condition, leaving your hair soft and silky. If you want to keep your brassy tones at bay, try using a blonde hair mask which hydrates and colour-protects.
Leave-in treatments
Leave-in treatments offer another solution to rehydrating your dried-out locks. However, it is important to remember that the quantity you use matters, especially if you have fine hair. You don’t want to overload the product overload as it can leave it feeling weighed down. By dampening your hair, you’ll be able to evenly distribute your selected treatment and enhance hydration. Our personal favourite is Pump’s leave-in conditioner with chamomile extract.
Hair oils
Applying nourishing, natural oils to your hair is another way to make bleached hair soft and silky again. Argan oil and coconut oil are popular choices, thanks to their extensive use in the beauty industry and their rich content of fatty acids, which create a protective barrier around the hair strands, reducing the likelihood of breakage. Check out our comprehensive guide on using coconut oil as a hair care treatment.
2. Brush your bleached hair properly
Because the bleaching process strips away all your natural oils and breaks down the natural proteins in your hair, it makes your hair strands prone to breakage. Meaning, that using a hairbrush with rough bristles can increase the risk of breakage. We suggest using a wide-toothed comb in the shower while you condition your hair to detangle gently without any additional pulling.
3. Wash your bleached hair gently and properly
Make sure to always use a nourishing shampoo and conditioner, using lukewarm water and a post-wash leave-in treatment to protect your hair strands from further damage. Also, rotating how frequently you use toner shampoos and conditioners will give your hair the added rest it needs.
4. Dry your hair gently after washing
Letting your hair air dry or wrapping it in a bamboo hair towel is going to reduce friction and create less risk of breakage. Alternatively, gently dry your hair with a towel without roughing up the ends.
5. Protect hair from sun damage
UV heat and environmental stressors are not going to be doing you any favours. Using a heat protectant or wearing a hat if you are in the sun for long periods will help to protect your hair from dryness and moisture loss.
6. Buy good-quality hair ties
Now, repeat after me: When your friend suggests using a rubber band to tie your hair up, you reply, "I prefer to keep it down." This is because inserting anything in your hair that could cause pulling or tangling will only exacerbate the situation. Bleached hair is naturally dry and susceptible to breakage, so minimising friction is essential. Choose a spiral hair tie or a claw clip, as they are the gentlest options for your hair.
7. Develop a good lifestyle
What is happening on the inside shows on the outside, so if you want to get your hair the extra boost it needs to grow after your colour treatment, it is wise to pay attention to your lifestyle choices.
Drink a lot of water
Staying hydrated supports cellular function which is going to help your hair grow. Take this as a reminder to go have a full glass of water because my guess is you haven’t had enough today!
Have a healthy diet
Food is fuel and without the proper nutrients your body isn't going to be able to produce the right proteins and natural oils to support your hair growth. Making sure you are getting enough protein, calcium, and essential vitamins are all going to help your hair grow.
Regularly trim your hair
Because bleached hair strands are left significantly weaker, they are more prone to breakage and dryness, leading to split ends. Staying on top of your hair trims is going to keep your hair shaft protected from split ends and keep your hair looking fresh. Check out our full guide on how to care for split ends.
Things to avoid when re-hydrating and nourishing bleached hair
Bleached hair requires extra care and attention to maintain its health and vibrancy. Here are some things to avoid when re-hydrating and nourishing bleached hair:
Washing your hair too often
Overwashing your bleached hair can strip it of all its natural oils, leading to further dryness and damage. Washing a couple times a week is a good place to start and adjusting it according to your hair needs. Alternatively, you can use a blonde lift dry shampoo in between washes to keep your hair refreshed and get rid of excess oil.
Use hot styling tools frequently
The bleaching process puts a lot of stress on your hair cuticles so if you have recently dyed your hair it is best to keep your heat styling practices to a minimum. Try heatless curl techniques or cold-blow drying as an alternative to heat-styling tools.
Common FAQs about after bleach hair care
Taking care of bleached hair can raise several questions. Here are answers to some common FAQs about after-bleach hair care:
Can bleached hair ever be soft?
Yes, bleached hair can regain its softness with proper care and attention. By ensuring that you space out treatments, employ deeply nourishing and moisturising hair care routines, and follow the steps listed above, you will be able to restore the softness and silkiness of your bleached hair.
How long does it take for bleached hair to be soft again?
The time it takes for bleached hair to become soft again can vary depending on the extent of the damage, your hair's natural characteristics and the care you provide. It is always recommended to go to a professional to bleach your hair, as an amateur may do more harm than good.
Everyone's hair is different and can withstand chemical treatments differently. Consulting a professional hairstylist on how to care for bleached hair post-treatment will also give you a better understanding of what practices to uphold specifically for your hair type. Remember, good things take time, so stick to a good routine, avoid hair-drying activities and you will see results in no time.
