Bleaching and dyeing hair is a popular way to dramatically change your look. However, it’s important to give your hair time to recover between these chemical processes. Rushing into dyeing bleached hair can lead to serious damage. So how long should you really wait before dyeing newly bleached hair?
Overview
- Bleaching strips pigment from hair, leaving it fragile. Dyeing too soon compounds damage.
- Wait at least 1-2 days after bleaching to dye hair. Some stylists recommend waiting up to 2 weeks.
- Deep condition and treat hair gently between bleaching and dyeing sessions.
- Perform a strand test before dyeing bleached hair to check tone and condition.
- Work with an experienced colorist if you have concerns about hair health.
Why Bleached Hair Needs A Break Before Dyeing
Bleach contains strong chemicals that penetrate the hair cuticle and dissolve melanin, the pigment that gives hair its natural color. This leaves the hair shaft unprotected and prone to damage. The bleach makes hair fragile, dry, and porous.
If you dye hair immediately after bleaching, the cuticle is still opened up and can’t protect against the coloring chemicals. This compounds the existing damage. Hair is likely to end up dry, brittle, and breaking.
That’s why it’s important to give hair a break between bleaching and dyeing sessions. This gives the cuticle time to close and hair to partially recover.
Recommended Wait Times
Most stylists recommend waiting:
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At least 24-48 hours after bleaching to dye hair. This gives the cuticle very minimal time to recover before the next chemical process.
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1 week after bleaching for healthier hair. This allows more time for recovery and less overall damage.
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Up to 2 weeks after for severely damaged or fragile hair. Holding off longer minimizes stress to already-weakened hair.
The condition of your hair and your desired color impact the ideal wait time. Damaged and fragile hair needs more recovery time than healthy strands. Dramatic color changes require more processing that taxes hair further.
Talk to your colorist about your hair’s condition and how long to wait before dyeing for the safest results.
Caring For Hair Between Bleaching & Dyeing
The steps you take to care for your bleached hair before dyeing impact its health and dye results:
Deep condition hair: Intensive conditioning treatments add moisture and protein to rebuild damaged strands.
Use bond-building treatments: Products with active ingredients like olaplex help repair broken bonds in bleached hair.
Avoid heat styling: Let hair air dry and avoid hot tools like blow dryers, curling irons, and straighteners.
Handle gently: Comb bleached hair carefully with a wide-tooth comb. Avoid excessive brushing or tugging.
Use strengthening shampoos/conditioners: Look for fortifying ingredients like keratin, silk amino acids, and shea butter.
Trim split ends: Schedule a trim after bleaching to remove ragged ends before dyeing.
Avoid washing too often: Limit washing to 2-3 times per week to prevent stripping moisture.
How To Dye Bleached Hair
When you’re ready to dye bleached hair, take steps to minimize additional damage:
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Do a strand test on a small section first to check how hair takes to dye. Look for unwanted brassiness or banding.
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Use a conditioning dye or add protein filler to addmoisture and ensure even depositing.
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Apply dye carefully in thin sections at the roots first, then ends.
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Process for minimal time needed to achieve desired color.
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Rinse thoroughly until water runs clear to avoid dye buildup.
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Deep condition after rinsing out dye to continue nourishing hair.
Things to Consider When Dyeing Bleached Hair
There are a few factors to keep in mind when planning to dye hair after bleaching:
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Overlapping lightener or bleach with dye can create hot roots or splotchy results.
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Bleached hair tends to grab vibrant dye quickly, so opt for darker shades.
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Damaged strands won’t hold onto color as well and may fade faster.
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Color results on bleached hair can vary from your expectations or swatch test.
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Consider waiting longer between sessions if hair is extremely porous after lightening.
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Work with an experienced professional if you have concerns about hair health.
Common Questions
How soon can I dye my hair after bleaching at home?
It’s best to wait at least 2 days after bleaching your hair at home before applying dye. Bleach makes hair very porous and prone to quick absorption of color. Wait longer if hair feels excessively dry or fragile.
Should I tone my hair before dyeing after bleaching?
Toners can help remove brassiness and even out tone before dyeing. However, toners still contain chemicals that process on compromised hair. It’s fine to tone bleached hair, but be very gentle and wait several days before applying dye.
Can I dye my roots after bleaching my ends?
It’s best to avoid overlapping bleach on ends with dye on roots. The varied processing times can lead to banding or hot roots. Instead, wait 1-2 weeks to give bleached ends a break before doing an all-over color.
What if my hair is damaged from dyeing too soon after bleaching?
Intensive conditioning treatments, olaplex, bond repair products, and regular trims can help restore overly damaged hair. Avoid heat styling and additional chemical processing until hair is healthier. Seek professional help if damage is severe.
The Takeaway
Bleached hair needs adequate time to recover before dyeing to prevent excessive damage. Aim for at least 1-2 days, with 1-2 weeks being ideal for compromised hair. Avoid overlap between bleaching and coloring sessions. Treat hair gently by conditioning deeply and handling with care. Work with a professional colorist if you have concerns about hair health. With some patience and TLC, you can achieve your dream bleached and dyed hairstyle.