To put it simply, I’ve always been a “hair girl” who completely fantasized about all the different styles and hair care techniques available out there. Experimenting with my locks and giving them a new look piques my interest like nothing else. But even the slightest thought of getting my dark, healthy hair bleached is one thing that scares me the most as I’ve witnessed a few friends getting it done and not being happy with how bleach damaged their hair. Yet, this process of changing hair color and getting a new look sounds really appealing and exciting to me. For those of you who’re in the same situation as me or have already got your locks bleached and are looking for ways to keep them hydrated and well cared for, you’re at the right place. Let’s scroll ahead and learn all about how bleach affects our hair and all the ways and tips to keep your freshly bleached locks well hydrated.  

Table of Contents

• How Does Bleach Affect Your Hair
• Haircare Tips, And Tricks for Bleached Locks

How Does Bleach Affect Your Hair

Bleached hair always needs a little extra love and care. The alkaline agents used during the process of bleaching for lightening open your cuticles and make your strands swell a bit. These agents deeply penetrate the cortex of your hair and dissolve melanin, the natural pigments of your locks. The natural fatty acids of your hair shafts are brutally broken down during this chemical process that makes your hair dry and brittle. Moreover, the cuticle keeps opening up and leads to exposure of the cortex. Other side effects of bleaching include split ends and extreme damage to your hair. 

Still, following the correct tips and tricks, your hair can be actively rejuvenated and taken care of. 

Haircare Tips, And Tricks for Bleached Locks

Whether you’ve recently bleached your locks or are thinking of visiting the salon to bleach your hair, the tips and tricks mentioned here can prove to be very useful. 

• Give Argan Oil A Try: Argan oil is infused with powerful antioxidants and is considered to be an excellent hair treatment for dry and damaged hair. Also, it is well known to hydrate your mane from roots to tips and keep it manageable. A study showed that this rich oil effectively minimizes cuticle swelling and chipping. 

Bleaching your hair strips off moisture, leaving your strands unruly and dry. That’s why it becomes essential to ditch harsh shampoos and use a hydrating, sulfate-free shampoo and a nourishing conditioner to keep your hair healthy. Again, a pack of Argan Oil shampoo and conditioner may be just what you need after hair bleaching. 

• Opt for a repairing hair mask: Slathering your hair with a hydrating and repairing hair mask, infused with rich natural ingredients, once a week can help you get your hair back to its lively self. 

• Go for a gentle hair oil: You might have noticed your locks going extremely flat and lifeless after getting them bleached. Applying a nourishing hair oil to your hair after showering can help keep it hydrated and well moisturized. Several powerful natural hair oils, besides Argan oil, can prove to be quite helpful in restoring the lost moisture to your cuticles. 

For instance, studies on almond oil showed it to be anti-inflammatory and helpful in soothing an irritated scalp. Also, one study found that coconut oil can severely reduce inter-fiber swelling if applied prior to bleaching. 

• Add a leave-in conditioner to your routine: The need for intense moisturization and nourishment of your hair significantly rises after you’ve undergone your hair transformation. You can help protect your bleached hair from further damage by adding a soothing and hydrating leave-in conditioner to your hair care routine. Wash your hair and then apply an effective leave-in conditioner. It will hydrate your hair, keep it frizz-free and also help fight off extreme brassiness. 

• Protect your hair from the sun: Bleached hair tends to be more vulnerable to the harsh rays of the sun. Several studies have shown that the sun's harsh UV rays can cause structural damage to your hair fibers and cause permanent and irrecoverable damage to the keratin present in your hair.
• Rice water rinse: Infused with powerful nutrients, rice water is considered to be a skin and hair care staple, especially in Japan. Inositol present in it deeply penetrates the shafts, enhancing the elasticity of your locks and keeping them intensely nourished. Rinse your hair with it every once in a while after your shower. 

 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I put coconut oil on my hair after bleaching?

Yes, coconut oil is extremely good for bleached hair and helps in restructuring your damaged locks after bleaching your hair. 

2. Is it bad to use heat on bleached hair?

Yes, using heat is quite harmful to bleached hair, worsening the damage already done to it. 

3. Can I put oils in my hair after bleaching?

Yes, in fact oils have been shown to help rehydrate the hair after bleaching and smoothen the cuticle. 

Explore the WOW website for more natural hair care products. From our all natural sulfate, silicone and paraben-free collection we recommend Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo and Red Onion Black Seed Oil Shampoo. And if you would like to learn more about apple cider vinegar's benefits or onion oil's benefits check out our ultimate guide on how to use them on your hair.