Dreaming of going blonde, embracing pastel hues, or rocking a striking silver? Bleaching your hair can unlock a world of vibrant color possibilities, but it’s also a process that can be tough on your tresses. Jump into it unprepared, and you risk dryness, breakage, and a whole lot of damage. The key to successful and healthy-looking bleached hair lies in diligent preparation. This comprehensive guide will walk you through each crucial step, ensuring your hair is in the best possible condition to withstand the bleaching process.
Why Preparing Your Hair is Essential Before Bleaching
Think of your hair like a delicate fabric. Bleach is a powerful chemical that works by lifting the pigment from your hair shaft. This process is inherently damaging, stripping the hair of its natural oils and proteins, which can leave it vulnerable and prone to breakage. The goal of pre-bleaching preparation isn’t to make your hair invincible but rather to build up its strength and resilience so it can handle the chemical assault with minimal negative consequences. Proper preparation can:
- Minimize Damage: Strengthening your hair beforehand reduces the likelihood of severe dryness, breakage, and split ends.
- Improve Color Results: Healthy, well-hydrated hair takes to bleach more evenly and effectively, resulting in a more consistent and vibrant final color.
- Prevent Scalp Irritation: A healthy scalp is less likely to react negatively to bleach.
- Enhance Hair’s Overall Health Post-Bleaching: By starting with a strong foundation, you make it easier to maintain healthy hair after the bleaching process.
Step-by-Step Guide to Preparing Your Hair for Bleaching
Now, let’s dive into the specific steps you should take in the weeks and days leading up to your bleaching appointment (or at-home session, if you’re experienced and confident). Remember, patience and consistency are key!
1. Assess Your Hair’s Current Condition
Before you do anything else, take a good hard look at your hair. Is it dry and brittle? Are there a lot of split ends? Is it chemically treated (permed, relaxed, dyed)? Understanding your hair’s current state will inform your preparation strategy.
- Check for Damage: Examine your hair for signs of dryness, breakage, split ends, and frizz. These are indicators that your hair needs some serious TLC before it can handle bleach.
- Evaluate Porosity: Porosity refers to your hair’s ability to absorb moisture. Highly porous hair is more prone to damage and might require more intensive preparation. You can do a simple porosity test by dropping a strand of your hair into a glass of water. If it sinks quickly, it has high porosity; if it floats, it has low porosity. If it floats mid-way, it’s normal.
- Note Previous Chemical Treatments: If you’ve recently permed, relaxed, or dyed your hair, it’s already undergone chemical processing and may be more fragile. Be mindful of this when planning your bleaching schedule, and perhaps consult a professional if unsure.
2. Deep Condition Regularly
Hydration is your hair’s best friend when it comes to bleaching preparation. Incorporate deep conditioning treatments into your routine at least once or twice a week, starting several weeks before your appointment. Deep conditioners help replenish lost moisture, improve elasticity, and strengthen your hair from within.
How to Deep Condition:
- Shampoo your hair: Use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo to remove any product buildup and cleanse your scalp.
- Apply your deep conditioner: Section your hair and apply the deep conditioner liberally, from roots to ends. Pay extra attention to the drier ends.
- Cover your hair: Use a shower cap or a plastic bag to trap heat, which will help the conditioner penetrate deeper.
- Leave it on for the recommended time: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for how long to leave the conditioner on (usually 15-30 minutes). For an even deeper treatment, you can use a heat cap or a warm towel.
- Rinse thoroughly: Rinse your hair with cool water until the water runs clear.
Choosing the Right Deep Conditioner:
- For Dry and Damaged Hair: Look for deep conditioners containing ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, argan oil, keratin, or ceramides. These provide intense hydration and help repair damage.
- For Protein-Sensitive Hair: Some hair types react negatively to protein-rich products. If you notice your hair feeling stiff or brittle after using a protein-based conditioner, opt for moisturizing deep conditioners without protein.
- For Low-Porosity Hair: Use lightweight deep conditioners with humectants (like glycerin or honey) that attract moisture and penetrate the hair shaft more easily.
3. Incorporate Hair Masks
In addition to deep conditioning, consider adding hair masks to your routine. Hair masks are often more potent than regular conditioners and can provide an extra boost of nourishment. You can use store-bought masks or try making your own at home using natural ingredients.
DIY Hair Mask Ideas:
- Coconut Oil Mask: Apply warm coconut oil to your hair, focusing on the ends, and leave it on for at least 30 minutes or even overnight. This helps moisturize and strengthen hair.
- Honey and Olive Oil Mask: Mix equal parts honey and olive oil and apply to your hair for 20-30 minutes. Honey is a natural humectant, while olive oil provides hydration and shine.
- Avocado and Banana Mask: Blend half an avocado and half a ripe banana with a tablespoon of honey and olive oil. Apply to your hair for 30 minutes. Avocado is rich in fatty acids and vitamins, while banana helps improve elasticity.
- Egg Yolk and Yogurt Mask: Mix one egg yolk with two tablespoons of plain yogurt and apply to your hair for 20-30 minutes. Egg yolk is high in protein, which can help strengthen damaged hair, while yogurt adds shine and moisture.
Frequency: Use hair masks once or twice a week, depending on your hair’s needs.
4. Avoid Heat Styling
Heat styling, such as using blow dryers, flat irons, and curling irons, can cause significant damage to your hair, making it more vulnerable to breakage and dryness. Try to avoid heat styling as much as possible in the weeks leading up to your bleaching appointment. Instead, embrace your natural texture or try heat-free styling techniques, like braiding or air drying.
Tips for Avoiding Heat:
- Air dry your hair: Allow your hair to air dry naturally instead of using a blow dryer.
- Try heatless styling methods: Braid your hair overnight for waves, use flexi-rods for curls, or try a bun for smooth, sleek hair.
- If you must use heat: If you absolutely have to use heat, apply a heat protectant spray beforehand and use the lowest possible heat setting.
5. Avoid Washing Your Hair Too Frequently
Over-washing your hair can strip it of its natural oils, leaving it dry and brittle. Try to wash your hair only when necessary, typically every 2-3 days or even longer, depending on your scalp’s oil production. Use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo to cleanse your hair without being overly harsh.
Tips for Less Frequent Washing:
- Use dry shampoo: Dry shampoo can help absorb excess oil between washes, keeping your hair looking fresh.
- Focus on cleansing your scalp: When you do wash your hair, concentrate on cleansing your scalp and avoid scrubbing the lengths of your hair. The shampoo will run down the lengths during rinsing, cleansing them gently.
- Rinse with cool water: Rinsing with cool water helps close the hair cuticle, making it look smoother and shinier.
6. Consider Using a Bond Building Treatment
Bond-building treatments are designed to repair and strengthen the hair’s internal bonds, which are often damaged during chemical processes like bleaching. Using a bond-building treatment, either professionally or at home, can significantly improve your hair’s health and resilience before bleaching.
Professional Bond-Building Treatments:
- Olaplex: Olaplex is a popular professional treatment that works by rebuilding broken disulfide bonds in the hair, helping to minimize damage. It’s used by many professional stylists and is known for its effectiveness.
- K18: K18 is a biomimetic hair science treatment that reconnects broken keratin chains, rebuilding strength and elasticity.
- Wellaplex: Wellaplex is Wella’s bond-building treatment which similarly aims to strengthen and protect hair during coloring and bleaching.
At-Home Bond-Building Treatments:
- Use a Bond-Building Shampoo and Conditioner: Many brands offer bond-building shampoos and conditioners that you can use as part of your regular hair care routine.
- Bond-Building Masks: Certain brands also provide bond-building masks to be used 1-2 times per week as a more intensive treatment.
7. Avoid Clarifying Shampoos Before Bleaching
Clarifying shampoos are designed to remove product buildup and residue, which can be helpful in certain situations. However, they can also be harsh on the hair and strip it of its natural oils, making it more vulnerable to damage from bleach. Avoid using clarifying shampoos in the weeks leading up to your bleaching appointment, as they might leave your hair more susceptible to dryness and breakage.
8. Trim Your Split Ends
Split ends can travel up the hair shaft and cause further damage. Getting a trim to get rid of them before bleaching helps to create a cleaner canvas for the bleach to work on. This prevents further breakage and split ends and creates a better environment for even color processing. If your hair is in particularly bad shape, consider a trim a couple of weeks out as well to prep.
9. Do a Strand Test
If you’re bleaching your hair at home, it’s absolutely crucial to do a strand test. This helps you assess how your hair will react to the bleach, how long it takes for it to lift, and whether the process causes any adverse reactions. To perform a strand test:
- Select a small section of hair: Choose a small, inconspicuous section of hair, preferably at the back of your head.
- Prepare the bleach: Prepare a small amount of the bleach mixture according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Apply the bleach: Apply the bleach to the strand of hair, avoiding the scalp.
- Process the bleach: Process the bleach for the recommended time, checking the progress frequently.
- Rinse and observe: Rinse the strand thoroughly and check for damage or any undesirable results. This will help inform your final bleaching plan.
10. Don’t Wash Your Hair for 1-2 Days Before Bleaching
This may seem counterintuitive, but leaving your natural oils in your hair provides a protective layer against the harshness of the bleach. Don’t wash your hair for at least 24 to 48 hours before you plan to bleach. This natural oil barrier can help prevent irritation to your scalp and minimize potential damage during the bleaching process.
Final Thoughts
Preparing your hair for bleaching is an investment of time and effort, but it’s an investment that will pay off in the long run. By following these steps, you can ensure that your hair is in the best possible condition to handle the bleaching process, resulting in healthier, more vibrant, and longer-lasting color. Remember, patience and consistent care are crucial. If you’re unsure or have concerns about bleaching your hair, always consult a professional stylist who can assess your hair’s condition and provide personalized guidance.
Bleaching your hair can be transformative and exciting! Take the necessary steps to prepare, and you’ll be well on your way to achieving your dream hair color while maintaining its health and beauty.