Having a stylist at a hair salon bleach your mane will make your face look brighter and more youthful. Bleaching agents like hydrogen peroxide cause the strands to expand and open. This allows the product to reach the cortex and eliminate melanin, the complex molecule that gives the hair its color. Opening the cuticles also strips your strands of moisture, which is why you’ll need to take the following steps to prevent breakage after bleaching. 

How to Care for Bleached Hair 

1. Shampoo Less Frequently

Hair becomes weaker after bleaching, which means working shampoo into a lather and rinsing it off could cause breakage. If you wash it daily, cut it down to three times a week after the hair salon appointment. This reduces the stress placed on your locks and prevents shampoo from stripping the strands of its natural sebum. To cut back on grease buildup, apply dry shampoo in between washes. 

2. Use Purple Products

After bleaching, it’s best to replace your current hair products with purple shampoos and conditioners. The pigments will seep into the strands, neutralizing the red and yellow undertones and bringing blue tints forward. This will prevent the color from turning brassy. 

3. Rely on Cold Water

When you take a shower, switch to cold water when it’s time to wash your hair. Heat opens the cuticles, letting moisture and natural oils escape. Colder temperatures will keep the cuticles closed, making your locks hydrated and silky.

If you need help keeping chemically treated strands healthy, visit Bloom Beauty Lounge in New York City. The stylists at this Chelsea-based hair salon provide restorative procedures to repair damage, including mud masks and oil treatments. They also carry a line of nourishing and moisturizing organic hair products. Visit them online to shop their exclusive line, or call (212) 255-9355 for an appointment. For style inspiration, look at photos of their clients’ transformations on Instagram.