Treating And Re-Hydrating Hair After Bleaching And Coloring

Bleaching is often necessary when coloring your hair -- but it can also be extremely damaging if the right precautions aren't taken. Depending on how strong and thick your hair naturally is, the bleaching process can lead to substantial drying. When your hair becomes too dry, it can start to break off and fall out. After you've finished bleaching and coloring your hair, you may want to take the following steps.

Re-Hydrating Your Hair

The process of restoring your hair begins with re-hydration. Bleach penetrates your hair shaft and pulls color out of it. But it doesn't just pull color, it also pulls the important oils inside your hair shaft that keep it healthy. These oils need to be replaced by special oils that have a molecular structure small enough to penetrate the hair shaft. Popular moisturizing oils include olive oil, coconut oil, and avocado oil. Any of these oils can be directly applied and then gently washed off in the shower. 

Sealing Your Hair Shafts

In addition to products that are designed to penetrate the hair shaft, there are also products that are designed to seal it. The process of bleaching opens up the hair shaft, but the hair shaft then needs to be closed. This can be done through the use of sealing oils. Popular sealing oils include argan oil, grapeseed oil, and jojoba oil. If you use only a sealing oil and not a moisturizing oil, your hair will be sleek and shiny but still very fragile. You will also find that your hair feels dry again every time you wash it.

Maintaining Your Hair

Once you've re-hydrated and sealed your hair, it becomes a matter of maintenance. Your hair should be carefully conditioned every time you wash it and should experience a deep conditioning and oil treatment once a week. In addition to this, you should try to rinse your hair with cold water and you should only wash your hair when absolutely necessary. Dry shampoos that are designed for dry hair can be used between watches to keep your hair looking fantastic without any additional damage.

With the right treatment, you can usually get your hair back to the condition it was previously. If you find that your hair still feels damaged and dry, you may want to consult with a professional. Professionals have salon products, such as The Moroccan Elixir, that may be able to more aggressively restore your hair's moisture.


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