How To Care for Bleached African American Hair
For many people, bleaching their hair is the best way to achieve the look they desire. Whether they are trying to achieve a platinum blonde color or simply lighten their hair a few shades, bleaching can help them to reach their goal. While bleaching can be a bit harsh on the hair, there are ways to minimize the damage. In this blog post, we will share some tips on how to care for bleached African American hair.
7 tips to care for bleached African American hair
There are some basic things that you should do to care for your bleached Afro hair, regardless of the type of bleach used.
Wash your hair twice a week
When you bleach your hair, you are essentially stripping it of its natural oils and color. This can leave your hair feeling dry, brittle, and damaged. washing your hair twice a week helps to remove any dirt, oil, or product build-up that can further damage your hair. In addition, it helps to keep your scalp healthy and free of irritants. Washing your hair also allows you to apply conditioner and other treatments that can help to restore moisture and protect your hair from further damage. As a result, washing your hair twice a week is essential for maintaining bleached hair that is healthy and manageable.
Apply conditioner after washing
As we mentioned above, conditioner is key for restoring moisture to bleached hair. After you shampoo your hair, be sure to apply a generous amount of conditioner to your hair, focusing on the ends. Allow the conditioner to sit on your hair for a few minutes before rinsing it out. If your hair is especially dry or damaged, you may want to consider using a deep conditioning treatment once or twice a week. It is recommended to use leave-in conditioners on bleached Afro hair as they can help to seal in moisture, thus working more effectively than regular conditioners.
Temporarily avoid hot tools
New bleached hair is more prone to damage from heat, so it is best to avoid using hot tools such as blow dryers and flat irons whenever possible. In addition, try to use the lowest setting possible to minimize damage. Let your hair air dry whenever possible to give it a break from heat damage. After 1-2 weeks, you can slowly start to use hot tools again, but be sure to use heat protectant spray and the lowest setting possible. Also, note that you may want to choose hot tools depending on your hair type, for example, TheVenusFace has compiled a list of flat irons and blow dryers that are most suitable for African American hair.
Be gentle when brushing
Bleached hair is more prone to tangles and breakage, so it is important to be gentle when brushing your hair. Start at the bottom of your hair and work your way up, using a wide-toothed comb or brush. Be sure to take your time and be gentle to avoid damaging your hair further.
Optional: Apply oil to your hair
If your hair is feeling extra dry or brittle, you may want to consider applying oil to your hair. This will help to add moisture and protect your hair from further damage. You can apply oil to your hair before shampooing, after shampooing, or before bed. Choose an oil that is suitable for your hair type, such as coconut oil, argan oil, or jojoba oil.
Reduce chemical products
It is no secret that bleaching your hair can be damaging. Not only does it strip away all of the natural oils that protect your strands, but it also leaves your hair feeling dry, brittle, and often times, frizzy. To make matters worse, many people try to compensate for the damage by using a variety of different chemical-based products, which can end up doing even more harm in the long run. So what can you do to avoid all of these problems?
One simple solution is to reduce the number of chemical products you use on your hair. This includes things like hair spray and styling products. Instead, opt for natural alternatives that are gentle on your hair and won’t strip away its natural oils.
Optional: Keratin treatment
In case your hair is extremely damaged, you may want to consider getting a keratin treatment. This is a process in which a protein-based solution is applied to your hair in order to help repair damage and protect against further damage. If you follow all the basic rules above, chances are you don't need keratin treatment. However, if the situation is desperate, it may be worth considering.
Final thoughts
Bleaching your hair can be a great way to achieve the look you want, but it is important to take care of your strands in order to avoid damage. In this article, we have provided a number of tips for taking care of bleached African American hair. So, the next time you reach for the bleach, be sure to keep these tips in mind! Hope this article helped. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below.