By: Angela Lim
We’ve all heard the horror stories that come attached to having beautiful blonde hair and pastel locks. I’m sure you’ve heard a story about the scalp being set on fire and peeling off, or about hair breakage post-bleach, fall out, and the absolute worst: balding. Although it’s safe to assume that these tales have had their fair share of exaggeration thrown into the mix, it’s also important to note that bleaching takes a toll on the health of your hair. Bleaching your hair is only frowned upon when you don’t go through the pains of making sure that your hair is in tip top condition post-bleaching. Be the bottle-blonde babe that you were destined to be and keep the following in mind:
Define Bleaching
It’s an abrasive chemical that strips the hair of its natural pigment. It comes in powder form and is mixed in with a developer to activate. The bleaching process is usually around the 3-hour mark, and depending on how light you want to go, you’ll be making more trips back to the salon until you’ve achieved your desired shade.
Bleach Your Own
DIY bleaching? It is totally possible, but definitely not on your first time. Winging it with something as important as your hair just spells disaster. Get your hair done by a professional or someone you trust who has a background in hair. They’ll know just how to deal with your hair, and they’ll be able to distribute the product evenly all over your hair, so you don’t have to worry about any spots you might have missed had you done it on your own. Make sure you stock up on hair products that do damage control, like the Oil Treatment from Agave, which rejuvenates unmanageable, frizzy hair using the agave plant’s hydrating and color-restoring sugars.
‘Fry’ Thy Hair
Expect your hair to look and feel foreign to you after the first bleaching experience. Because it has stripped your hair of its natural oil and pigment, the bleached hair is left dry and frizzed out. Hair can endure up to two rounds of full-on bleaching before it turns out rough, dry, and something out of American Horror Story. Ensure that your hair gets the proper nourishment and conditioning it needs by applying a deep conditioning hair mask once a week, as well as investing in some purple shampoo and conditioner. The purple color counteracts any yellow or brassy undertones from coming out and making your hair look like a nasty case of jaundice. Save yourself the extra bucks of having to go back to the salon by investing in quality shampoo like the Dove Hair Therapy Color Care Shampoo which has active ingredients that continually nourish and protect your hair color, its moisture and vibrancy.
On Bleach Maintenance
As much as possible, don’t wash your hair too much. When it comes to showering, use non-detergent shampoos, purple shampoos, and deep conditioners to bring your hair back to its former moisture and texture. While the likes of the Toni & Guy Nourish Reconstruction Masks will take care of your deep conditioning needs, staying away from your blow dryer and other heat styling tools will work wonders as well.
Dyeing after bleaching
Can I get my hair dyed right after I bleach my hair? Yes, you can. Although it would be nice if you waited a day or two before moving on to color, getting it done right after the bleaching process should be fine. If your hair is more on the thin side, consult with your hairdresser or coloring expert first before doing so. You can prevent breakage and hair fall with the Dove Hair Therapy Color Care Conditioner, a creamy and ultra-nourishing conditioner that protects color your new hair color while deeply moisturizing your hair.
The cost
Prepare to be set back by about PhP 3,000 – 6,000 for a complete package deal of bleach, styling, and color.
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