Bleaching hair is a popular way to achieve a bright, vibrant look, but it’s also a chemical process that can leave your hair more vulnerable to damage. One of the most common questions among those with bleached hair is whether it’s bad to wash it every day. Hair care experts recommend various routines based on hair type and condition, but washing bleached hair daily could be more damaging than you think. This article explores the consequences of washing bleached hair every day, provides expert advice on proper hair care, and offers tips to help maintain healthy, beautiful locks.
Understanding Bleached Hair: The Basics
Before we dive into whether washing bleached hair every day is harmful, let’s first understand what bleaching does to your hair. Bleaching involves using hydrogen peroxide or other chemicals to strip the hair of its natural pigment. This process opens the hair cuticle and removes the melanin (pigment) in the hair, which can result in hair that is lighter, sometimes to the point of platinum blonde, depending on how much bleach is used.
While bleaching can provide a beautiful, lightened appearance, it also weakens the hair. The hair shaft becomes more porous, and the protective outer layer (the cuticle) may be damaged. This can leave hair more susceptible to dryness, breakage, and frizz. Consequently, proper care is crucial to keep bleached hair healthy and vibrant.
How Washing Affects Bleached Hair
Washing your hair involves the use of water, shampoo, and sometimes conditioner. The process can have several effects on the hair, particularly when it comes to bleached strands:
Strips Natural Oils: Bleached hair already lacks some of its natural moisture, as the bleaching process can remove oils and proteins. Daily washing can strip the scalp of essential oils that help protect the hair from environmental damage and prevent excessive dryness.
Over-Stimulation of Sebaceous Glands: Frequent washing can lead to overcompensating sebaceous glands, which may produce more oil to counteract the dryness caused by shampooing. This results in an oily scalp and can make the hair appear greasy, even if it’s been freshly washed.
Cuticle Damage: The act of washing and rinsing, especially with hot water, can cause further damage to the hair cuticle. Bleached hair is more delicate, so exposing it to repeated washing, rough towel drying, and the force of water can weaken the strands and increase the likelihood of breakage.
Dehydration: Shampooing too often can dehydrate the hair, especially if you are using harsh shampoos. Dehydration makes bleached hair more prone to breakage, split ends, and an overall dull, lifeless appearance.
Why Washing Bleached Hair Every Day May Be Harmful
Increased Dryness and Brittle Hair
Bleached hair already has reduced moisture levels because the bleaching process removes natural oils and moisture from the hair shaft. Washing it every day can exacerbate this problem, leaving your hair even drier. The harsh chemicals in shampoos can further strip the hair of its natural moisture, leading to brittle, fragile strands. Over time, this can result in split ends, breakage, and a lackluster appearance.
Damage to Hair Proteins
Hair is primarily composed of keratin, a fibrous protein. The bleaching process can damage these proteins, and washing too frequently can weaken the remaining keratin bonds. With each wash, the hair cuticle is manipulated and can become more rough and open, making it difficult for the hair to retain moisture. This leads to further breakdown of the hair’s internal structure and can make it more prone to damage.
Increased Color Fading
Bleached hair is more porous and vulnerable to color loss. Washing it daily, especially with hot water or harsh shampoos, can strip the hair of its color more quickly, resulting in faded, dull hair. This is particularly problematic for those who have recently dyed their hair a bright or pastel color, as the pigment can be easily washed out. Frequent washing can also lead to uneven fading, which is harder to correct.
Scalp Irritation
Bleached hair is more sensitive, and daily washing can cause irritation to the scalp. The friction of daily shampooing, especially if you’re using a shampoo with strong chemicals, can inflame the scalp, causing dryness, itchiness, and flakiness. For some people, it may even result in dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis, which can make it more difficult for hair to grow healthily.
How Often Should You Wash Bleached Hair?
The general consensus from hair care experts is that washing bleached hair less frequently is best. While every person’s hair is different, most individuals with bleached hair should aim to wash their hair no more than 2-3 times per week. This allows the hair to retain more of its natural oils and moisture, minimizing the risk of further damage.
For those with very oily scalps, it may be necessary to wash more frequently, but in such cases, it’s important to use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo that won’t strip the hair too much. Additionally, using dry shampoo between washes can help manage excess oil without the need for constant washing.
Best Practices for Caring for Bleached Hair
Use a Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Sulfates are harsh detergents commonly found in many shampoos. They are effective at removing oils and dirt, but they can also strip the hair of its natural moisture, which is particularly damaging to bleached hair. Look for shampoos that are sulfate-free and designed specifically for color-treated or bleached hair. These formulas are gentler and can help maintain the integrity of your hair while keeping it clean.
Condition After Every Wash
Conditioning is a crucial step in any hair care routine, but it’s even more important when caring for bleached hair. Conditioning helps replenish lost moisture and smoothes the cuticle, reducing frizz and adding shine. Use a rich, nourishing conditioner formulated for bleached or damaged hair. Apply it generously from the mid-lengths to the ends, avoiding the scalp to prevent excess oil buildup.
Use Leave-In Treatments and Hair Masks
For extra hydration, incorporate leave-in conditioners or hair masks into your routine. These products provide deep moisture and help repair the damage caused by bleaching. Opt for products that contain ingredients like argan oil, keratin, and shea butter, which are known to strengthen and hydrate hair.
Avoid Hot Water
Washing your hair with hot water can further damage already fragile, bleached hair. Hot water opens the hair cuticle, which can cause it to lose moisture more quickly. Instead, opt for lukewarm water when shampooing and conditioning your hair. Rinsing with cool water at the end of your wash can help seal the cuticle and lock in moisture.
Protect Your Hair from Heat Styling
Heat styling tools like flat irons, curling irons, and blow dryers can further damage bleached hair. Try to limit the use of these tools and always use a heat protectant spray before styling. If you must style your hair with heat, consider using a lower temperature setting to minimize damage.
What to Do If You’ve Been Washing Your Hair Every Day
If you’ve been washing your bleached hair every day and are noticing damage, don’t worry — there are steps you can take to restore the health of your hair.
Give Your Hair a Break: The first step is to reduce the frequency of your washes. Start by washing your hair every other day or every two days. This will give your hair a chance to retain its natural oils and restore moisture.
Hydrate and Repair: Focus on replenishing moisture in your hair. Incorporate deep conditioning treatments and leave-in conditioners to nourish the strands. Look for products with proteins to help rebuild the hair’s strength.
Trim Split Ends: Bleached hair is more prone to split ends. Schedule regular trims to remove damaged sections of your hair and prevent further breakage.
Use Gentle Products: Stick to sulfate-free, moisturizing shampoos and conditioners that won’t strip your hair. Also, avoid using products with alcohol, as they can dry out the hair and scalp.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while it might be tempting to wash your bleached hair daily for a fresh, clean feel, it’s not the best approach for maintaining hair health. Bleached hair is more fragile, more porous, and more prone to damage, so frequent washing can strip it of essential oils, moisture, and color. Instead, aim to wash your bleached hair no more than two to three times a week, and make sure to incorporate nourishing treatments to restore its health. By taking a gentler, more mindful approach to hair care, you can enjoy vibrant, beautiful bleached hair without compromising its strength or appearance.
Related topic:
- Does Hair Get Thicker When You Cut It
- Can Bleached Hair Turn Black Again?
- Can Bleach Make Hair Fall Out?
