How to Maintain Bleached Hair: A Comprehensive Guide

Written by Hoang Khanh Tran

Image source: Adobe images

A head fully bleached to be any color you want; In my parents’ eyes, that would be considered “gangster” behavior and not maintaining decorum. But regardless, I like myself with lighter shades for my hair. Through my 1 year journey of bleaching and dyeing countless times, here is the experience I have garnered and factors that you should consider before going to the salon for that fresh new look that is entirely transformative.

Firstly, it should not come as a surprise that your hair will be dry, dead, and have a very fibrous appearance. This comes with both dyeing and bleaching, but varies depending on the level. Typically, dyeing your hair will not cause much damage. However, when doing lighter shades on darker base colors, that requires lifting the color to lighter shades. The lighter and whiter, the more times you would have to bleach.

As an Asian, my natural hair lies between level 1 and 2. And because of which, bleaching to level 10 for a classic balayage look can take up to 3 sessions of bleaching. When doing this at salons, they will charge you for the amount of sessions.

You must also consider the damage that your hair will go through depending on your natural base. An available option to reduce this is through treatment. This includes:

• Bond Builders: Such as Olaplex or K18, which work at a molecular level to relink the broken disulfide bonds in your hair during the bleaching process.

• Deep Conditioning Masks: High-protein treatments that help fill the "holes" in your hair’s cuticle to prevent breakage.

• Scalp Protectors: Essential oils or professional barriers applied before bleaching to prevent chemical burns on sensitive skin.

Beyond immediate fixes, you should consider a professional keratin treatment every month. Bleaching strips the hair of its natural protein; a monthly keratin boost acts as a structural filler, smoothing the "frizz-bomb" effect and giving your hair the weight and shine it can no longer produce on its own.

These treatments are your hair's "life support," which also should reflect your hair care routine after dyeing.

Which takes me to my next point: hair care is expensive. From the shampoo to the additional steps like serums, all these costs can add up very quickly. When thinking about shampoo, bleached hair must not be washed with products containing harsh sulfates, parabens, and strong clarifying formulas, as these strip essential moisture and color from fragile, processed hair. Commonly used shampoos to get rid of dandruff that are peppermint-based are typically avoided as a whole. Instead, you will need to invest in purple or blue toning shampoos to limit the brassiness, along with leave-in conditioners to provide a synthetic barrier for your compromised strands.

To give you an idea of the investment required, here are some popular brands and their 2026 price points:

Product Type	Luxury Choice ($$$)	Professional Choice ($$)	Budget-Friendly ($)
Bond Repair	K18 Mask (~$75)	Olaplex No. 3 (~$30)	The Ordinary Bond Repair (~$12)
Toning Shampoo	Oribe Bright Blonde (~$50)	Matrix So Silver (~$20)	Fanola No Yellow (~$12)
Moisture/Wash	Kerastase Blond Absolu (~$46)	Pureology Hydrate (~$35)	L'Oreal EverPure (~$10)

This is the difference that can be seen with and without the usage of toning shampoos. I have personally experienced bleached hair going slightly green if the wrong shampoo is applied or if you go lengths of time without it.

The Conditioning Process

Bleached hair requires a double-conditioning routine. Apply a protein-based conditioner first to strengthen the internal structure, followed by a moisture-rich formula to restore elasticity. Additionally, use hair masks twice weekly and apply serums daily to seal the cuticle and provide a protective barrier against environmental damage and tangling.

The Drying Process

One of the most important tips I have learned is to avoid air-drying. It sounds counterintuitive, but when bleached hair stays wet, the internal cortex swells. Because bleached hair is highly porous, it stays swollen for longer. This constant stretching (hygral fatigue) weakens the hair fiber from the inside out. Apply a heat protectant and blow-dry on a medium-cool setting. This "seals" the cuticle quickly, locking in moisture and preventing the hair from staying in its weakest, swollen state.

Chemical and Heat Restrictions

Bleaching permanently alters hair porosity, making it highly fragile. You must avoid perms and permanent straightening, as these chemical combinations cause "chemical melting" and immediate fallout. Furthermore, minimize heat styling; if necessary, use only low temperatures with a high-quality heat protectant to prevent the hair from snapping.

Breakage and Daily Care

Mechanical breakage is common after bleaching. To mitigate this, replace cotton pillowcases with silk to reduce friction. Use microfiber towels and pat hair dry instead of rubbing. Never brush wet hair without a wide-tooth comb and detangler, as processed strands are weakest when damp and prone to stretching and breaking.

Additional Protection Tips

• Sun Protection: UV rays act like a secondary "slow bleach," eating your toner and turning hair brassy. Use a UV-protective hair mist (like Kerastase Soleil) or wear a hat when outdoors.

• The Swimming Protocol: Never enter a pool with dry hair. Wet your hair with fresh tap water first so it acts like a soaked sponge that cannot absorb more liquid. Coat it in a cheap conditioner or coconut oil before putting on a swim cap to block chlorine, which is the main culprit for that "green" tint.

So, next time you consider getting your hair bleached, remember all these important tips and consider the investment that goes into bleaching.