How To Hydrate Hair After Bleaching: The Ultimate Guide

Bleaching your hair, while rewarding when done right, can lead to some serious damage like dryness, brittleness, and breakage. That’s why it’s so important to properly hydrate your hair after lightening it. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about caring for your bleached strands!

Understanding How Bleaching Damages Hair

Bleach works by opening up the cuticle layer of your hair and stripping out the underlying melanin pigment. This process leaves the hair seriously compromised and prone to damage in a few key ways:

Dryness

One of the biggest issues with bleached hair is parched, crispy dryness. Bleach removes the natural oils and proteins that keep hair supple, smooth and hydrated. Sebum, an oil produced by the sebaceous glands in our scalp, helps lock in moisture. Bleach disrupts that moisture barrier leading to chronic dryness and thirsty strands.

Without proper hydration, dry bleached hair becomes difficult to comb through and style. It tangles more easily and feels rough to the touch. The lack of moisture causes frizziness and static as well. Think of bleached hair like dried out grass in the hot summer sun. It desperately needs water and hydration to regain its healthy feel and appearance.

Brittleness

In addition to dryness, bleached hair tends to become brittle and snap-prone. This occurs because the bleach compromises the structural integrity of the underlying hair shaft. The chemicals break down the cuticle layer that protects and reinforces the hair fibers.

With the cuticle layer damaged, bleached hair loses elasticity and strength. Just like an old rubber band that has lost its stretch, the hair is no longer flexible or resilient. This leads to brittleness, fraying and split ends. Brushing or combing overly bleached hair can cause it to snap off at the ends or break higher up the lengths.

The bleach also strips away ceramides, natural lipids that strengthen and waterproof the hair. Without these ceramides, hair becomes weakened and unable to hold onto moisture. This worsens the brittleness substantially.

Breakage

Repeated bleaching sessions or overlap can cause significant breakage, especially along the lengths and tips of hair. This happens because the bleach penetrates the innermost cortex of the hair, essentially dissolving or “melting” the structures that give hair its strength. As a result, the strands are left extremely fragile and prone to fracturing.

The damage from breakage is two-fold. First, it causes unsightly split ends and frayed textures along the ends of hair. Second, as the broken fragments continue to split up the shaft, it leads to shorter and shorter hair. In severe cases, the breakage can travel all the way up to the roots resulting in extremely shortened locks.

Why Hydration is Crucial Post-Bleaching

With all the damage bleaching can cause, it’s extremely important to nourish strands and add hydration back into the hair as soon as possible after lightening. Here’s why maintaining proper moisture levels is so crucial:

• Prevents brittle breakage – Well-hydrated hair is more flexible and less prone to snapping or breaking off when brushed.
• Minimizes frizz – Hydrated hair lies flatter and smoother, while dry hair is prone to frizzing and flyaways.
• Easier to comb and style – Wetness makes hair more pliable and manageable when styling.
• Protects color vibrancy – Hydration seals in hair dye and keeps color from fading quickly.
• Enhances shine and softness – The right hydrating products leave hair looking glossy and feeling touchably soft.
• Supports growth – Moisture nourishes the scalp and follicles to support faster, healthier growth.

The right hydrating techniques and products will re-infuse bleached strands with long-lasting moisture to minimize damage and keep your color looking its brightest.

Tips for Hydrating Hair Post-Bleach

Now that you understand the importance of hydration, let’s look at the most effective methods for moisturizing bleached hair and repairing damage:

Choose Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner

Look for shampoo and conditioner formulas specifically made for color-treated or damaged hair. These will contain moisturizing ingredients like:

• Natural oils – Coconut, argan, avocado and olive oils coat the hair shaft to seal in moisture.
• Silicones – Ingredients like dimethicone and amodimethicone add slip and seal the cuticle.
• Ceramides – Help repair and reinforce the cuticle layer.
• Hyaluronic acid – A humectant that attracts and binds moisture to hair.
• Panthenol – Also known as pro-vitamin B5, it penetrates and softens hair.

Avoid shampoos with sulfates as these can be too harsh and drying for bleached hair. Products labeled “hydrating” or “moisturizing” are your best bet.

Deep Condition 1-2 Times Per Week

Deep conditioning treatments are like intensive moisture therapy for your strands. Look for deep conditioners that contain proteins and moisturizing oils. Focus the product on the mid-lengths and ends where the most bleach damage occurs.

Let the conditioner soak in by covering hair with a shower cap for 15-30 minutes before rinsing. The added heat allows deeper penetration. For even more hydration, apply a leave-in conditioner like It’s A 10 Miracle Leave-In afterward.

Limit Shampooing

Shampooing too often strips away the natural oils that protect and hydrate bleached strands. Limit cleansing to just 2-3 times per week so hair doesn’t get dried out. On non-wash days, refresh hair by misting with water and conditioner or using dry shampoo.

Rinse With Cool Water

After shampooing and conditioning, switch the water to cool for your final rinse. The drop in temperature helps seal the cuticle closed. This locks in moisture and adds shine. Avoid hot water which can cause further drying and damage to bleached hair.

Apply Leave-In Conditioner

Leave-in conditioners provide lightweight daily hydration that bleached strands need between washes. Apply from mid-shaft down after shampooing, before styling. Formulas with silicones, like Garnier Fructis Treat 1 Minute Hair Mask + Leave-In, coat hair and seal in moisture.

Avoid Heat Styling Tools

Setting aside hot tools like blow dryers, curling irons and flat irons allows hair to recover post-bleaching without further stress. The heat damages already compromised strands by causing protein and moisture loss. Give hair a break to prevent more drying and breakage.

Get Regular Trims

Schedule trims every 6-8 weeks to snip away any split ends before they travel farther up the hair lengths causing more breaks and shortening. Let your stylist assess for areas that need extra moisture or protein treatments too.

Hydrating Masks and Deep Treatments

In addition to your regular conditioner, bleached hair needs the deeper hydration that masks and salon treatments can provide. Here are some top options:

DIY Nourishing Masks

Olive oil – The fatty acids help restore moisture levels from within the cortex. Warm a tablespoon or two of olive oil slightly and apply from roots to ends. Put your hair in a shower cap and let the olive oil penetrate for at least 30 minutes before shampooing out. The warmth helps the oil’s emulsifiers and nutrients absorb better.

Avocado – Much like olive oil, avocado is rich in fatty acids that help hydrate and soften hair. Mash up half an avocado and smooth the paste throughout clean, damp hair. Leave on for a minimum of 20 minutes for intense moisture therapy before rinsing. For an extra nourishing treatment, combine mashed avocado with a tablespoon of coconut oil.

Honey – This natural humectant helps attract and seal in moisture. Mix 1-2 tablespoons of raw honey into your regular conditioner. Apply thoroughly across bleached strands and let sit for 15-30 minutes with a shower cap before rinsing out. The amino acids and enzymes in honey boost shine and softness too.

Mayonnaise – It may sound odd, but the oils and egg yolks in mayo provide moisture and proteins for strengthening. Comb 1/4 cup of mayonnaise through clean, damp hair. Pile into a bun atop your head and wrap in plastic wrap. Leave on for a minimum of 30 minutes before washing out. Rinse well with cool water.

Store-Bought Masks and Treatments

The right store-bought masks can provide salon-quality hydration in the comfort of your own home. Look for formulas that contain nourishing oils, ceramides and shea or cocoa butters. Here are some top options:

• Olaplex No.8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask – This mask both repairs broken bonds and adds serious hydration thanks to ingredients like vegatable glycerin, jojoba oil and cocoa butter.
• Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask – Rosehip, coconut and avocado oils combine to nourish moisture-deprived hair. It also contains B-vitamins and biotin to strengthen.
• Pureology Hydrate Sheer – This minty mask provides lightweight hydration using antioxidants, botanical oils and hydrating seaweed. Rinses cleanly without residue.
• Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Masque – Ultra-nourishing blend with certified organic shea butter, mafura and baobab oils to reconstruct damaged strands.

When using intensive store-bought masks:

• Apply generously from mid-lengths to ends after shampooing
• Let sit for 15-30 minutes
• Start with once per week and increase to 2-3 times per week for severely damaged hair
• Watch that moisture is restored, not overly protein which can make hair stiff

For bleached or color-treated hair, hydrating masks are crucial for maintaining softness and vibrancy. Use them as needed to combat dryness and brittleness.

Professional Salon Treatments

For hair that’s been seriously over processed from repeat bleaching sessions, a professional salon treatment may be needed to rehabilitate your strands. These intensive conditioning services deliver supercharged hydration. Popular options include:

• Olaplex – This breakthrough treatment repairs broken disulfide bonds that damage bleached hair. Dramatically improves texture and moisture levels. Often applied during color service.
• Brazilian Blowout – A hydrating acid wash seals the cuticle and smoothes damage from coloring procedures. Results last up to 12 weeks.
• Deep Conditioning Treatment – Leave-on intensive treatment is applied at the salon and enhances hydration. May include heat, specialized formulas or added procedures like trimming or scalp massage for maximum results.

Speak to your stylist about getting an intensive treatment add-on for optimal hydration after bleaching. Be sure to maintain the results at home with the mask and conditioning tips provided above.

Additional Tips for Hydration and Protecting Color

In addition to the targeted haircare regimen outlined above, there are some other tricks that can help maintain moisture levels and keep bleached hair in the best condition possible:

• Use a wet brush or wide-tooth comb when hair is wet to gently detangle and prevent excess breakage. Start from the bottom and work upwards.
• Avoid towel drying – Instead, squeeze out excess moisture then air dry or use a microfiber towel which causes less friction and damage.
• Sleep on a silk pillowcase to avoid the rough friction of cotton which dehydrates strands overnight. The smooth surface of silk doesn’t pull on hair.

• Wear hair up in protective styles like braids, buns or a loose ponytail to prevent abrasion that can worsen bleach damage. This allows hair to rest.
• Limit use of hot tools like curling and flat irons which cause more heat damage to already compromised strands. Allow hair to air dry.
• Always apply heat protecting spray before using any hot styling tools to minimize the effects on bleached hair.
• Supplement moisture from within by staying hydrated and taking hair vitamins such as biotin, B-complex and fish oils.
• Get professional root touch up – Avoid box dye to limit overlap and additional damage on previously bleached hair.

Wrapping Up: Caring For Bleached Hair

To recap, bleached hair is extremely prone to dryness, brittleness and breakage. Proper hydration is crucial to restoring softened, supple strands. Shampoo gently yet infrequently, and condition deeply with masks and salon treatments. Handle hair gently, limit heat styling, and protect those delicate bleached strands.

With some TLC in the form of moisture treatments, quality products and protective handling, you can get your bleached hair back into healthy shape. bypass further damage and keep your color looking freshly lightened.

The bleaching process can be taxing on strands, but the damage is reversible. Use this comprehensive guide to hydrate hair and repair bleach damage from the inside out. With time and consistent hydration, your hair will regain its soft, shiny and vibrant appearance.