How to take care of bleached hair
In this article:
- Understand What Bleach Really Does to Your Hair
- Rebuild from the Inside: Start with a Bond-Building Treatment
- Choose the Right Shampoo for Bleached Hair
- Use a Hair Oil to Lock in Moisture and Prevent Breakage
- Be Gentle—Especially When Wet
- Use Heat Wisely (and Not Too Often)
- Make Hair Masks a Key Step in Your Wash Routine
- Get Regular Trims. Don’t Skip Them
- Final Thoughts
As a Hair Artist at the Rossano Ferretti HairSpa in Park Hyatt Dubai, I see many clients embracing lighter, brighter tones -from soft sun-kissed balayage to bold platinum blonde. While bleached hair can look stunning, it requires thoughtful, consistent care to keep it healthy and luminous.
Here’s my professional guide to maintaining the beauty and strength of your bleached hair.
Understand What Bleach Really Does to Your Hair
Whether you’re going for subtle highlights or a bold platinum transformation, bleaching is a powerful chemical process that changes the structure of your hair-not just the colour. What it does is break down the melanin (your natural pigment) inside each strand, which is what allows lightness to show through.
But in lifting that pigment, bleach also alters the outer cuticle layer and weakens the internal bonds that give hair its strength, elasticity, and moisture retention. Even when bleaching is done professionally and carefully, your hair becomes more porous. That means it absorbs and loses moisture more easily and may need extra help staying hydrated and smooth.
Now, when bleaching is pushed too far or done without the right technique or aftercare, that’s when you see visible signs of damage. In the salon, I can usually tell straight away if someone’s hair is over-processed. It might feel rough and brittle when dry, or overly stretchy and fragile when wet—like it’s lost its structure.
But even if you’re not seeing breakage, bleached hair always needs more care. Think of it as delicate fabric-it can still look beautiful and strong, but it requires a more mindful routine to keep it that way. The good news? With the right support, bleached hair can absolutely stay soft, shiny, healthy, and full of life.
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Rebuild from the Inside: Start with a Bond-Building Treatment
One of the most important steps in caring for bleached hair starts before the bleach is even applied. I always recommend using a bond-building treatment in the lead-up to your lightening service-and continuing with it regularly afterward.
Bond builders work by reinforcing the internal bonds in your hair-the ones responsible for strength and elasticity. Bleaching inevitably breaks some of these bonds, even in the most controlled applications. So rather than waiting for visible damage to appear, a good bond-building formula can help prevent that breakdown from happening in the first place.
Making this a weekly habit, especially around your colour appointments, can make a huge difference in how healthy and manageable your bleached hair feels over time.
How to Apply a Bond-Builder at Home
- Step 1: On damp hair before shampooing, distribute your pre-wash mask evenly using your fingers or a wide-tooth comb.
- Step 2: Focus the product on the lengths and ends, steering clear of the roots to avoid weighing hair down.
- Step 3: Massage the formula gently into each section to help it penetrate the hair shaft, then twist the hair loosely to keep it in place.
- Step 4: Let it sit for 5–10 minutes, or longer if your strands are in need of extra repair. For a deeper overnight treatment, wrap your hair in a silk scarf or soft towel.
- Step 5: Rinse thoroughly, then follow with your usual shampoo and conditioner, or apply a hydrating mask afterward for an added moisture boost.
Choose the Right Shampoo for Bleached Hair
This is one of the most important parts of your routine. I’ve seen so many clients invest in a beautiful colour only to wash it out, literally, with the wrong shampoo. Bleached hair is more delicate, and harsh formulas can strip away moisture and tone quickly.
Here’s what I recommend looking for:
- Sulphate-free formulas to gently cleanse without drying out the hair
- Moisture-rich ingredients like hyaluronic acid or coconut oil to help rehydrate and smooth
- Colour-safe labels, especially if your blonde has a toner or pastel finish
If you notice brassiness creeping in, a purple shampoo can be a great addition to your routine. The violet pigments help neutralise yellow tones and keep your blonde looking fresh and clean. Just don’t overuse it. It’s easy to go overboard and end up with a dull or overly ashy tone. A little goes a long way. For best results, incorporate it into a nourishing routine rather than replacing your regular shampoo entirely. Think of it as a corrective enhancer, not a daily cleanser. Use it once a week or as needed, and always follow with a deeply hydrating conditioner or mask to keep your colour-treated hair soft, supple, and beautifully balanced.
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Use a Hair Oil to Lock in Moisture and Prevent Breakage
I always say: if your ends feel dry or brittle, hair oil is your friend. A lightweight blend with natural oils like avocado, macadamia, or almond can make a big difference in softness. Apply a few drops on damp hair before blow-drying, and again on dry hair to keep ends from splitting.
Tip: Don’t overload the oil near the roots unless your hair is really coarse or curly. Focus mid-lengths to ends, apply in sections and gently brush through for even distribution.
Be Gentle-Especially When Hair Is Wet
This is one of the biggest culprits I see when breakage happens. Hair is at its most delicate when it’s wet, especially after bleaching, so how you handle it in those moments can really impact its overall health and strength. These are a couple of tips I always recommend to my clients in the salon:
- Use a wide-tooth comb or a detangling brush, and always start from the ends, working your way up to avoid tugging and pulling.
- Gently blot your hair dry with a microfiber towel or even an old cotton T-shirt. Avoid rubbing, which can rough up the cuticle and lead to frizz or breakage.
- If your hair tangles easily in the shower, use your fingers to separate knots first, then detangle gently once it’s towel-dried and slightly less fragile.
- Apply a detangling leave-in conditioner to help your brush glide through more easily while adding a boost of moisture and softness
Use Heat Wisely (and Not Too Often)
I completely get it—styling tools like straighteners, curling wands, or a good blow-dry can really elevate your look. Bleached hair just needs a little more attention when it comes to heat. It’s not about avoiding it altogether, but about using it wisely.
Always apply a heat protectant before styling—one that shields up to at least 220°C if you’re using high-heat tools. It acts as a barrier to help reduce moisture loss and surface damage.
When possible, give your hair a break by air drying or using the cool setting on your dryer. Even doing this once or twice a week can help maintain a silky texture and reduce stress on already sensitized strands. After blow-drying, finish with the cool shot setting on your dryer. This helps to cool the hair down, seal the cuticle, and lock in shine for a smoother, glossier finish.
How to Apply a Heat Protectant Spray
- Step 1: Start with clean, towel-dried hair. Heat protectant should be applied to damp—not soaking wet—hair for best absorption and coverage.
- Step 2: Hold the spray approximately 20 cm (8 inches) away from your head.
- Step 3: Mist evenly, working section by section, and focus on the mid-lengths and ends, where hair is most prone to damage.
- Step 4: Avoid the roots unless the product specifically states it’s safe for scalp application.
- Step 5: Use a wide-tooth comb or your fingers to gently distribute the product through your hair, ensuring it coats each strand.
- Step 6: Style as desired, whether blow-drying, straightening, or curling. A quality heat protectant should always be used before any hot tool.
Make Hair Masks a Key Step in Your Wash Routine
For bleached hair, I recommend using a nourishing mask every time you wash—not just as an occasional treatment. After lightening, the hair becomes more porous and loses both moisture and protein, so a regular masking step is essential to help rebalance what’s been lost.
Choose a mask that offers a balance of hydration and protein. Moisture (from ingredients like shea butter, jojoba oil, or hyaluronic acid) helps restore softness and flexibility. Protein (like natural keratin) supports the internal structure of the hair. If your hair feels stretchy and overly soft when wet, it likely needs more protein. If it feels rough or brittle, it’s probably craving more hydration.
Get Regular Trims. Don’t Skip Them
Bleached hair can look amazing after a fresh cut. But if you wait too long between trims, split ends creep up and take more length with them when you finally cut.
I tell my clients: every 6–8 weeks is the sweet spot. You don’t have to take off a lot-just a light dusting to keep the shape and prevent breakage.
Final Thoughts
Bleached hair is high maintenance, but with the right care it can also be incredibly rewarding. When you give it the moisture, protection, and gentleness it needs, it will repay you with shine, softness, and style that turns heads.
If you’re ever unsure what your hair needs-protein, moisture, a cut, or a rest-don’t guess. Ask your stylist. That’s what we’re here for.
