Bleach is a powerful hair remover. It’s also known as sodium hydroxide, which could give you a headache if you’re not used to it. So, how do you know if you need to shampoo after your bleach? What kind of products do you need to use? Let’s take a look at the different ways you can tell if you need to shampoo after your bleach.
Do you shampoo after bleaching
Yes, I shampoo after bleaching. I use either a clarifying shampoo or a sulfate-free shampoo. When I bleach my hair, it is usually a dark shade of red-orange. The color is usually not too much of a problem when I wash it, but sometimes it can be too orange and go away too fast. I usually do this about twice a year, because my hair grows so quickly!
Tips For Shampooing After Bleach
- If the bleach has been on for more than 10 minutes, you may need to shampoo your hair.
- If you have any color-treated hair, it is recommended that you shampoo after bleaching.
- Don’t use conditioner or styling products if you’re going to bleach your hair. This will leave a residue that can build up and cause breakage.
- Be sure not to apply too much bleach at once on your hair because it could dry out your hair and make it fragile.
- If you have dark blonde or white-blonde highlights, it’s best to wait until the highlights are completely faded before bleaching again so the bleach doesn’t fade them too quickly and cause damage to your natural color as well as potentially breakage of the highlights in the future when bleached again.
- Don’t wear synthetic clothing after bleaching because it can absorb the chemicals from bleach and leave a residue.
- If you’re going to bleach your hair again, be sure to use a conditioner or leave-in conditioner. This will soften the hair and prevent breakage.
- Be sure not to use bleach with ammonia in it because it can damage your hair as well as cause breakage due to the harshness of the chemical used.
- If you’re bleaching your hair every few weeks, it’s best to shampoo on a regular basis because bleach can build up in your scalp and cause irritation and breakage of your hair if not washed out regularly.
- Don’t wash your hair too frequently after bleaching; this will dry out the cuticle of your hair and make it more susceptible to damage when bleached again as well as causing breakage due to a buildup of dead skin cells on the surface of the hair shaft if not washed out regularly as shampooing would do.
Makeup On Before Shampoo
- The hair is slightly yellowed or darker than usual. You might not even notice it, but if you do, shampoo first.
- There’s a buildup of product on the hair. The color of your hair has changed and you don’t like it. Shampoo to get rid of it and try again when you don’t see that buildup again.
- Your scalp is irritated from bleach or the shampoo is too harsh for your hair type to handle. Wash with a milder shampoo to soothe the area and try again later with a different brand until you find one that works for you.
- There are patches of your hair that are lighter than others, which means there’s an uneven distribution of bleach on your head. Shampoo to even out those areas before continuing with the rest of your process, especially if the lighter patch isn’t at the roots or ends of your hair where it can be easily covered.
- You get a white residue on the hair after you shampoo, especially if you’re lightening the hair with a lot of colors. The result is that your entire head looks white, which is never a good look. If this happens to you, shampoo again and then conditioner to get rid of the residue and wash it out when your next bleach session is over.
- Your hair gets frizzy or uncontrollable when it’s wet or damp from washing with a sulfate-free shampoo. This can happen if you have curly hair and use products that contain sulfates in them or if your hair is very dry and needs some moisture to work properly again after washing with sulfates in products like shampoos, conditioners, and soaps. Try switching to a different brand or type of product in order to save yourself from unnecessary breakage during your next bleach session since your current one will be over soon enough anyway!
Dark Colors
- Bleach has a strong smell that can linger for days after it’s used.
- The color will fade away over time, but you can still see the difference between light and dark colors.
- You should shampoo with bleach once a week or every other week to remove any residue left behind.
Light Colors
- Bleach doesn’t have a smell, so it won’t leave stains on your hair and skin if you don’t shampoo after it.
- The color will fade away over time, but you can still see the difference between light and dark colors.
- You don’t need to shampoo as often as with bleach because there are no residues left behind to remove at all.
Conditioning Before Bleach
- Condition your hair before you bleach it. If you’re using a product that is not water-based, like a gel, lotion, or mousse, apply conditioner before your bleach.
- If you are using a product that is water-based, like shampoo or conditioner, apply it to your hair before you bleach it.
- Let the product sit on your hair for at least 10 minutes (or as long as 30 minutes).
- Rinse out the conditioner with cold water so that it doesn’t cool down and make the bleach less effective.
- Rinse with warm water to close up the cuticles and lock in moisture.
- Rinse with cold water to close the cuticles and lock in the moisture.
- Repeat steps 2 – 6 if you have time, and then shampoo your hair.
- If you have time, leave your hair in a shower cap or plastic bag for at least 10 minutes after you shampoo it to keep your hair from drying out.
- After you shampoo your hair, rinse with cool water to close up the cuticles and lock in moisture again.
- Apply conditioner if needed, let it sit for 10 minutes or more (if necessary), then rinse out with cool water again to close up the cuticles and lock in moisture again.
Shower With Detergent
- Shampoo your hair with the same brand of detergent you use for washing dishes. This is the best way to clean your hair after bleach.
- Rinse out the shampoo with cool water and let it run through your hair for a few minutes.
- Rinse with cold water and switch to warm water when you’re done rinsing out the detergent.
- Towel dry your hair, then comb it out so that all of the knots are gone and you have smooth, shiny hair.
Conclusion
Bleach can bleach out colors in your hair, so be sure to shampoo before and after using it. If you are dark-skinned or have lighter hair, you may want to use light shampoo. If you are dark-skinned or have light hair, you may want to use dark shampoo. Be sure to condition your hair before and after shampooing to make sure your hair is free of residual Bleach.