How Often Can You Bleach Your Hair?
Published on: Apr 27, 2022 • 6 min read
We all have a bit of Cruella in us and the need to dye our hair different colors never really goes away.
Whether you’re a teenager looking to rebel with blue hair or hiding your gray strands, bleach is the way to go.
But if you bleach your hair, you might have to deal with damaged hair strands that are limp and lost their shine.
So how often can you bleach your hair to get your desired color and still maintain healthy hair?
Let’s find out.
Is Bleaching Your Hair Bad?
Before we dive in to find out how often can you bleach your hair, let’s answer the most important question: is bleaching your hair bad?
In general, hair bleaching can be bad for your hair and scalp if done repeatedly.
Bleach works by going into the hair shaft and breaks down the natural fatty acid that weakens the strand.
This can be damaging and the more often you do it, the worse it gets. So bleaching can be bad for your hair but there are many ifs and buts involved.
How Often Can You Bleach Your Hair Without Damaging It?
Whether you’re looking to add pale blonde hues to your dark hair or experimenting with an electric shade, you will have to bleach your hair. Bleach is the main culprit used to properly lighten hair.
But let’s say the hair color didn’t turn out as expected and now your bleached hair is a bright orange.
Wait, don’t pull out the hair bleaching agents and bleach bottle just yet.
First, think about how often can you undergo the bleaching process without letting the harsh chemicals trigger hair damage.
To keep your hair healthy and avoid the perils of damaged and bleached hair, it’s recommended that you add some time between each bleaching session.
Bottom Line: If you need to bleach your hair, we would recommend that you wait for atleast 8-10 weeks before using the bleach mixture on your previously bleached hair.
This way, you will be able to protect damaged hair from more damage.
What Happens When You Bleach Your Hair Too Often?
It doesn’t matter if you are still fighting the battle with gray hair stands; it’s time to put away the hair bleach strips.
Chemicals inside bleach like hydrogen peroxide damage your hair follicle because of frequent bleaching and there are no two ways around it.
The perils of using bleach powder on your hair regularly range from hair loss and a general decline in hair’s health.
Avoid hair bleached too many times because:
- Bleach naturally dries your hair and saps it of moisture
- Applying bleach frequently can make your hair prone to frizziness
- It can lighten hair strands and lower volume
- Processed hair doesn’t hold hair color well
And if there is one lesson that has to be learned, avoid repeated bleaching or double bleaching your hair in the same sitting at all costs.
Least Damaging Practices To Bleach Your Hair
No one likes frayed, colored hair that becomes impossible to comb because of bleach treatments.
And let’s not forget the sinking feel you get when you see your hair falling out of your scalp.
So is there a way you can add a glimmer of hope for new hair growth despite the chemical process that your already bleached hair has been subjected to?
- Do a strand test to check for sensitivities to bleach
- Choose a lower volume bleach and developer to avoid chemical damage
- Don’t bleach hair multiple times in the same sitting
- Choose a good quality bleach kit to safely bleach your hair
- Invest in the least damaging bleach brands to change the natural color of your hair safely. Everyone’s hair varies, so pick a brand that is likely to suit your hair.
What to Do Right After Bleaching Hair
No matter how much you invest in best bleaching practises, post bleaching hair care are a must.
There are a number of things you can do to rock a nice color and still have fabulous hair.
- Make sure you invest in a deep conditioning treatment with a hair mask after using bleach to change your natural hair color
- Add weekly hot oil treatments with coconut oil to your calender as they will restore your hair’s moisture and natural oils in the scalp
- Visit a salon and be consistent with hair treatments to help your hair recover
- Invest in haircare for bleach-treated hair like a deep conditioning product and shampoo for hair that is bleached (blue shampoo for hair of a darker color and purple shampoo for blond tones)
- Avoid the overusage of heat styling tools like flat irons
How Long Should You Wait To Beach Your Hair Again?
As a golden rule, you should wait for atleast 8-10 weeks before you go to the salon for another bleach session.
But the amount of time you should wait for also depends on the rate at which your hair grows.
But avoid constantly checking in the mirror if your roots show already - give your hair time to recover in between sessions.
Wrapping it Up
Bleach contains chemicals which can be harsh for your hair.
But that’s not stopping us ladies from reaching out for bleach to blur out the stubborn grays or adding a bright pop of color to your scalp!
So even if you’re ready for a bleach spree, you should definitely wait for a few weeks in between your bleach sessions.
Invest in both, good pre and post bleach care and avoid go to the salon every week for touchups.
FAQ
Can I Bleach My Hair Twice in One Day?
You cannot bleach your hair twice in one day. No matter how badly you need to change the color, using bleach on your hair twice in a day can burn your scalp and hair.
Does Bleaching Your Hair Make It Thinner?
Technically, bleaching your hair does not make it thinner. But it can damage your hair and make it appear flatter.