We’ve Got the Lowdown on How to Repair Bleached Hair

Let’s be real. Blondes might have more fun, but, if their colour comes from a bottle, they’re also more likely to deal with hair damage. And if you’re sporting a shade of Princess Elsa-esque platinum or just have a few honey-coloured highlights, you’ve probably googled ‘how to repair bleached hair’ more than a few times.

Kim, Kylie and Karlie have all proven that Khaleesi white strands are so now. But, before you request a Targaryn-approved tone to your hair stylist, it’s important to think about the responsibilities that come with processed strands.

From expert product recommendations to long-term repair suggestions, we answer all your burning bleached-hair questions…

How to repair bleached hair

What does bleach do to your hair?

If it’s your first time going through this process, be prepared for the texture of your hair to change. Bleaching is an intensive chemical process and as such, can damage the surface of your strands.

Bleaching hair involves using chemicals to strip the hair of its melanin, so it appears lighter in colour.  According to Unilever’s Peter Bailey, Global Technical Manager, Hair Care, “the method can remove the hair fibre’s natural conditioning layer (known as 18-methyleicosonoic acid or 18-MEA) which can make it feel rough and dry.”

So can this lead to hair damage? Peter explains, “the chemical process inside your hair fibre breaks a number of the structural protein bonds leaving your hair brittle and more prone to damage.”

What are the best products to use for bleached hair?

As bleaching is a chemical process, it can damage the structure of the hair fibre. This damage may leave the hair looking and feeling dry and damaged and make it more prone to breakage and split ends.

The first step thing you need to do when taking care of bleached hair? Reboot your usual grooming routine to include products that work to help repair the structure of the hair fibre.

The TRESemmé Biotin + Repair 7 Shampoo and Conditioner contain a Biotin & Pro-Bond Complex which helps to restore broken bonds inside the hair fibre caused by the bleaching process. Translation = they not only help your hair visibly look better, but also strengthen it. A key benefit if you’re continuously dyeing your locks.

Looking to expand your hair washing routine? See all our recommendations for the best shampoos, conditioners and hair masks for bleached hair.

How can I repair any damage caused by bleaching?

Not only should you rethink your shampoo and conditioner options, it’s also important to add new products to your grooming routine that target your hair concerns.

Take your hair care routine up a notch by adding a repairing hair mask to your shower ritual. Our pick = the TRESemmé Biotin + Repair 7 Intensive Mask.

Working to minimise the appearance of damage, this formula strengthens each strand of hair, inside and out, to repair & protect bleached tresses. Leaving them looking, and feeling healthier.

Protect bleached hair from heat damage

Three words to live by when you have bleached hair: handle with care. As your tresses can appear more brittle and dry, they are also more susceptible to the effects of heat damage.

In order to help shield your strands from heat damage, make sure a heat protectant is your first port of call – no matter what your styling routine is.

Our pick? The VO5 Heat Protect Spray. It offers up to 230°C heat defence, safeguarding your tresses against further damage.

Styling bleached hair? Proceed carefully

Dry and damaged hair has been through the ringer already, so when you’re styling your strands, it’s crucial to treat them kindly.

This means brushing and handling the hair gently, especially when it’s wet (and more vulnerable to damage) and always using a heat protectant before you style.

P.s. Make sure to bookmark our best hairstyles for damaged hair page, so you won’t run out of inspo to #BeatHairBoredom.