So you bleached your hair a few months ago, and it has turned into dried and fried straw now. Well, you have damaged your hair ruthlessly, and it is high time that you show love to it by taking some extra care. Here are 10 extremely useful tips that would help you repair your bleached damaged hair fast:
1. Choose the Right Shampoo
Refrain yourself from using any shampoo, at least for the first one week after bleaching. When you bleach your hair with peroxide, natural oil is stripped off from your hair. Also, if you use sodium lauryl sulfate (one of the most common ingredients of regular shampoos) on raw hair, you will end up building plaque. Well, it is tough not to cleanse your hair for as long as seven days, but you have other options in the form of natural shampoos.
Also Read – 11 Ways to Keep Bleached Hair Soft and Healthy
Here are some of the DIY recipes of natural shampoos:
Egg Yolk Shampoo
Ingredients you need:
- 1 egg yolk
- 1-2 tablespoons water
- 5 drops of peppermint essential oil or any other refreshing oil
- 1 teaspoon aloe vera or lime juice and 1 tablespoon Shikakai powder
If you have super oily hair, then add the whole egg. And in case you have dry hair, use only egg yolk.
Method:
Add all the ingredients to form a medium consistency paste. Now rub it on your scalp and hair. It is better to put this paste on dry hair if you want a super clean scalp. Massage your scalp for 2 minutes and work through your hair. Let it sit for 5 minutes. Now rinse it with lukewarm water.
Additionally, to give a shiny boost to your hair, you may opt for an herbal tea rinse. Boil herbal tea and strain it. Let it cool. Give the last rinse with this to your hair.
1. Homemade Protein Shampoo (for Shiny Bouncy Hair)
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons Chickpea flour (besan)
- 1 tablespoon orange peel powder
- 2 teaspoons fenugreek powder
- 2 teaspoons honey
- water
Method:
Add all the ingredients one by one until you get a smooth and lump-free paste. Now on wet and sectioned hair, massage the paste slowly and keep it for 15 minutes. Rinse completely. Again you may complete it with a herbal tea rinse.
Post one week, you are ready to shampoo your hair, now you may opt for good quality natural shampoos available in the market. Look for a shampoo with natural herbal ingredients. You can make your hair routine a little greener. These shampoos will not be harsh on your color or chemical-treated hair.
Also Read – 11 Ways to Keep Bleached Hair Soft and Healthy
2. Go for Deep Conditioning
Bleached damaged hair needs a super dose of deep conditioning to restore its natural moisture. Hence, it is essential to find a deep moisturizing conditioner to treat your thirsty hair efficiently, at least for the first 30 days. Then, if possible, go for a leave-in conditioner treatment that is enriched with moisture and protein. Using it every day will make your hair strong, soft, and shiny.
During these seven days, you can use natural conditioners. Post seven days chose a nourishing conditioner specifically made for chemical-treated hair. In case you have an oily scalp that must be kept clean all the time, opt for a cleansing conditioner rather than a regular one (1).
3. Massage, Massage, and Massage
Massage your scalp and hair with extra virgin olive oil and let the shafts get saturated with it completely. Leaving the oil for hours will repair the brittle hair to the core and turn it softer, smoother, and more manageable in a natural way. You can use other oils as well, like cold-pressed coconut oil, mustard, and sesame oil.
Oils are known to help rehydrate the hair and smooth the cuticle (2)
- Mix oils like coconut, olive, almond, sesame, a few drops of essential oils together.
- Apply the mixture and give steam to your hair.
- Keep this for 30 minutes and then shampoo. It will leave your hair extra soft and shiny.
4. Use Your Hair Tools Cautiously
Using a hair curler or flat iron can cause even more damage to bleached straw-like hair. In addition, overheating makes your hair strands porous. No matter how much heat protection you use, it will easily break off your hair and increase hair fall. So, strictly stay away from all sorts of heat treatments.
If you wish to blow dry your mane, make sure to do it from a distance. This distance should be 15 centimeters. As per the study conducted, this distance is proved to be safe for your hair (3). Furthermore, always use heat protectants before any heat treatment. In this way, you prevent split ends.
Another point to remember is that you blow-dry your bleached damaged hair partially. After shampooing as well as conditioning the locks, let them dry naturally for the whole night. Then, in the morning, quickly blow dry or blow out while using a boar bristle brush. This method will prevent too much application of heat on your hair and spread the natural oils all through the scalp evenly.
5. Go for Homemade Protein Hair Masks
To restore the natural health of your locks, there are lots of simple kitchen ingredients, like egg, yogurt, almond oil, mayonnaise, avocado, coconut, olive oil, etc. All these are known to be packed with protein. So prepare a rich, creamy mask with any of them and give your hair a significant protein boost.
Some of the hair masks recommended by experts are:
Milk and Honey Hair Mask
Honey is enriched with keratin and has anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe your scalp and prevent irritation. It not only helps strengthen the hair and stops breakage but also promotes cell regeneration. In addition, this mask has a combination of proteins, amino acids, vitamins, B12, iron, and zinc. Thus, help soften the hair and give it a structure.
Take 100 ml of milk and add 2 teaspoons of honey. Apply the mixture to your moist/wet hair for 30 minutes. Then, rinse it off with a gentle shampoo.
Also Read – Top 5 Natural Facial Bleach Recipes For A Pigment-Free, Polished Skin
Banana-Olive Restorative Mask
This mask will leave your hair unimaginably beautiful by hydrating and moisturizing your tresses deeply. Bananas are rich in vitamins and minerals, while olive oil has abundant Vitamin E content. This will give a shiny and glowing look to the hair.
To make this homemade mask, mash a banana and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to it. Then make a smooth paste. Now, apply the mask throughout the hair and scalp. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes, and then rinse.
6. Diet and Supplements
Nothing can repair your damaged hair as fast as a balanced diet can.
- Take omega-3 fish oil tablets to provide the nourishment of healthy fat to your hair. Include this supplement in your daily diet for better results. In addition, you may add omega-3 rich foods to your diets by including salmon, mackerel, tuna, sardines, egg yolks, and walnuts (4).
- Try to incorporate zinc-rich foods on your plate. Zinc is known to strengthen hair follicles. Even studies suggest that zinc deficiency may result in alopecia areata.
- B-Complex Vitamin (Biotin & B5), the most advertised vitamin for hair growth and repair, is known to reverse hair loss. You can get them from your diet. Have eggs, beef, chicken, avocados, legumes, nuts, bananas, etc.
- Take enough Vitamin C – Food sources are citrus fruits, broccoli, kale, red pepper, etc. Vitamin C fights oxidative stress, which causes grey hair and hair loss, thus, keeping your hair young.
- Similarly, have more iron and Vitamin D through your diet. Row sources are spinach, swiss chard, collard greens, egg yolks, beefsteak, and beans.
7. Chop Them Off
If your hair has become spoiled after bleaching, just cut off its damaged ends as much as possible. Otherwise, salvaging the rest of your hair will become practically impossible. You will get rid of split and damaged ends. Also, you will instantly feel the bounce in your curls. It would be easier to detangle them. And the most beautiful part is that your hair will grow back healthy and glossy.
8. Balance Your Lifestyle
The first thing to look out for is – do not feel stressed over the damaged hair. Think less and work more.
- Always make a point to sleep at least for 7-8 hours. Liver detoxification is high during the time. Nothing can repair your hair better than your body itself.
- Have dinner early in the evening, at least an hour before you are in your bed. This habit does not overburden your liver.
- Exercise daily. Try out different exercises like cardio, strength training, and, most important is Yoga. There are certain asanas like Sirsasana, Adho mukha svanasana, Vajrasana, Uttanasana to calm down your your stress level.
9. Try Rosemary Essential Oil
If you have damaged your hair to the extent that there are some bald patches or excessive thinning, then try this essential oil. When applied to the affected area, it stimulates cellular metabolism. It causes hair growth and regeneration. Clinical efficacy has been proved in humans through a study conducted in 2015.
Rosemary, Cedarwood, and Sage Hair Thickener
Ingredients:
- 1½ ounces grapeseed oil
- 1½ ounces jojoba oil
- 30 drops pure cedarwood essential oil
- 30 drops pure sage essential oil
- 30 drops pure rosemary essential oil
Mix them all and blend completely. Massage it on your scalp. Leave for at least 20 minutes or longer. Rinse. Do this thrice a week.
10. Let Your Hair Relax
Finally, stop experimenting with synthetic hair care and styling products. Instead, focus on diet and a few hair masks to let them grow back stronger and healthier.
Summary
Damaging your hair after a bleaching session can be a painful experience. Just relax and plan to repair your damaged tresses. Change your shampoo and conditioner and minimize hair treatments that use heat tools. Nourish your hair through hair masks and diet. De-stress your lifestyle. If needed, cut down your hair short. Let them regrow and breathe. Drink enough water and, most importantly, do not forget to smile.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the signs of chemically damaged hair?
You will notice more hair fall, hair thinning, dried, and frizzy hair. In addition, your hair will become lifeless with lost shine. Sometimes small bald patches may also appear as a result of excessive hair loss.
What chemicals are bad for hair that should be avoided?
One must avoid the following chemicals while buying any hair product:
- Parabens
- Sodium Lauryl Sulphate
- Diaminobenzene
- Lead acetate
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Formaldehyde
- Silicones etc
How to choose a hair dye that minimally damages hair?
According to professionals, choose hair dyes that are within the three shades closer to your hair color. Lighter hair color shades include too much hair bleaching agent and may result in frequent hair touch-ups. Also, wash less often to avoid frequent hair touch-ups. Make sure you avoid too many treatments like perming and straightening post hair dye. Give a few weeks between hair treatments.
References –
- “22 Tips to Hydrate and Repair Hair After Bleaching” – healthline.com
- “Effect of oil films on moisture vapor absorption on human hair” – ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “Hair Shaft Damage from Heat and Drying Time of Hair Dryer” – ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “Best Vitamins for Hair Growth (Plus Herbs and Foods)” – draxe.com
