Can I Bleach My Hair After Using Color Oops?

Have you used a color remover like Color Oops to strip out unwanted dye from your hair? Now you want to go lighter by bleaching. Is it safe to bleach right after using a color remover?

The short answer is yes, you can bleach after Color Oops under the right circumstances. However, some caution is required to avoid excessive damage and get your desired results.

This article will cover:

• How color removers work to remove dye
• Correct order of processing for best results
• Bleach options and volume developers
• Tips to minimize hair damage
• Aftercare for compromised hair

Let’s look at how to successfully and safely bleach hair after using a color remover.

How Does Color Oops Remove Dye?

Before discussing bleaching, it helps to understand what color removers like Color Oops do to hair:

• They use reducing agents to shrink dye molecules so they can be rinsed out.

• They remove oxidative permanent hair color but not direct dyes.

• They take hair back to its lightest underlying shade from previous processing.

• Results are usually a brassy orange tone on darker hair since underlying pigment gets exposed.

• The cuticle remains open and porous after color removal.

So Color Oops reveals your hair’s undertone but does not return it to your virgin or natural color. This is key when bleaching next.

Correct Order of Processing

What’s the ideal order for removing color and bleaching safely?

It’s best to use Color Oops first, then bleach 1-2 weeks later.

This allows the hair cuticle to close and recover before you apply more chemicals. Bleaching right after Color Oops can penetrate unevenly and cause major damage.

Here are the steps:

1. Color removal to strip artificial dye first
2. 1-2 week waiting period for hair to stabilize
3. Strand test bleach to assess hair’s integrity
4. Bleach to lighten hair further

Doing color removal and bleaching separately gives the best results with minimal damage.

Bleach Options After Color Remover

Once your hair has normalized after Color Oops, what bleach should you use? Here are some options:

Low-Volume Developers

Choose a 10 or 20 volume developer to minimize further cuticle damage after color removal.

Purple Shampoo

Mixing bleach with a bit of purple shampoo helps counteract brassiness.

Bond-Building Bleaches

Look for options with oils, keratin, or other bond replenishing ingredients to support your hair through lightening.

Ammonia-Free Bleach

An ammonia-free bleach formula is gentler than regular bleach after color removal.

Weak Bleach Solution

Dilute bleach powder with a higher ratio of developer to slow the lightening process.

The exact bleaching approach depends on your hair, its condition, and your goal shade. But low-and-slow is best after Color Oops.

Tips to Prevent Hair Damage When Bleaching After Color Removal

Here are some tips to keep your hair healthy if you bleach after using Color Oops:

• Do a strand test to see how your hair tolerates lightener after color removal and guide your mixing ratios.

• Use a bond-strengthening additive like Olaplex, Smartbond, etc. to reinforce bonds during bleaching.

• Shampoo minimally and use a deep conditioner for 2 weeks before bleaching to improve integrity.

• Bleach roots separately to avoid overlapping damage on previously bleached mid-lengths and ends.

• Apply lightener quickly and evenly since Color Oops-pretreated hair absorbs it faster.

• Rinse thoroughly when done to get rid of all residual lightener and remover chemicals.

• Avoid overlap with heat styling to limit damage from overlapping chemical and heat processes.

With some care, you can successfully bleach after using Color Oops for beautiful lightened hair!

Aftercare Tips for Hair After Color Removal and Bleaching

Once you make it through the color removal and bleaching process, be diligent with aftercare:

• Use a weekly strengthening mask to nourish and fortify strands.

• Monitor for signs of damage like excessive dryness, tangling, or breakage.

• Avoid chlorine, salt water, and other elements that strip hair.

• Shampoo less frequently, only 1-2 times per week. Use sulfate-free options.

• Let hair air dry rather than overusing hot tools that weaken bonds.

• Get regular trims to snip split ends before they travel up the shaft.

• Use leave-in treatments with sun protection to defend against UV damage.

• Consider a gloss or tone-correcting glaze if hair looks too brassy.

Proper aftercare is just as crucial as the safe processing order to keep hair healthy after color removal and bleaching. Be patient with compromised hair and give it some TLC.

The Takeaway

Can you bleach immediately after using Color Oops? It’s best not to. Here are the key points:

✔️ Use Color Oops first to remove dye then wait 1-2 weeks before bleaching.

✔️ Choose low-volume developers, bond-building bleaches, and avoid overlap with heat.

✔️ Perform a strand test and watch closely for signs of damage.

✔️ Strengthen hair with masks, minimize washing, and get trims.

Bleaching right after color removal can fry hair. But with some patience and the proper techniques, you can safely lighten hair after using Color Oops for a beautiful blonde or bold fashion shade! Consult your colorist for guidance.