Is it safe to bleach your hair again if you are not satisfied with the lightening treatments and results you got?
If you want to do it on the same day, you may be wondering if the answer to the question “can you bleach your hair twice in one day?” is a yes.
If you are thinking of bleaching your hair sometime soon, like when you want to try partial balayage, you have to find out if you can do it twice in case something goes wrong.
That way, you will know if it is safe to do so.
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Is Hair Bleaching Twice a Day a Good Idea
Technically, you can bleach your hair twice a day, like when you are dyeing wet hair, but you will need a lot of preparation to prevent seriously damaging your hair.
However, just because you can do it, it does not mean you should. It is very risky to bleach your hair twice on the same day. You are putting the health of your hair on the line if you do and expose it to harsh chemicals like ammonia and hydrogen peroxide. This is true even if you decide to get the second treatment in a respectable salon.
Not only will you seriously dehydrate your hair, but you may also weaken each strand. Your hair strands will become prone to breakage from the bleaching sessions. Everything in your hair will become weak, so it tends to break by running your hands through them.
Even though you initially set out to make your hair prettier by bleaching it, you may ruin it instead. If you want to lighten your hair without bleach, you can try other types of hair care mixture, including lemon juice or white vinegar.
Side Effects of Bleaching Your Hair Twice
Chemical Burns
The skin on your scalp is much more sensitive than on your face and arms and you probably already know that bleach is a strong chemical. Even if hair bleach is significantly weaker than the ones you use to remove stains on your white clothes, it can still be caustic. The hair bleach might make your scalp quite itchy the first time. Applying it again within a few hours will make it burn quite painfully.
Serious Hair Damage
Bleaching your hair twice can also seriously damage your hair. One application of hair bleach is enough to make your hair dry and feel rough. Hair bleach opens the cuticle of the hair strands to remove the melanin, but it also causes the moisture to escape, leading to dryness.
Bleaching your hair too soon will permanently dry your hair. You will look like you are wearing a cheap wig all the time.
Significant Hair Loss
If you seriously irritate your scalp, the itchiness will be the least of your worries. The bleach could irreparably damage the hair follicles, which will cause your hair to fall out from the roots and never grow again.
The worst-case scenario would be that your hair would fall out in clumps, leaving bald patches on your head, like chemically induced alopecia.
How Long Should You Wait Before Bleaching Again
You should not bleach your hair twice on the same day if you did not get the right dirty blonde hair color, not even in the same week.
Ideally, you need to give your hair enough time to rest and recuperate; it usually takes at least two weeks.
However, waiting at least a full month would be much better before bleaching your hair again. However, it would be best if you pushed your next bleaching session to after six weeks from the first.
How to Bleach Your Hair
Step 1 – Prepare your hair
You should know that hair bleach will cause extensive damage to your hair, but you can keep the damage to a minimum by preparing your hair weeks beforehand.
You must condition your hair religiously and use other products to strengthen each strand. This will make your hair more resistant to the chemical damage that will be dealt by the hair bleach.
Step 2 – Choose your bleaching products
Often, you can get the bleaching powder and the developer in the same package. However, you can also choose to buy them separately. Choose a bleaching powder with a blue or purple color, as it can significantly reduce the brassiness that comes with hair bleaching.
Next, choose the developer you will use from 10, 20, 30 or 40 volume developers. The higher the number, the lighter the outcome.
Step 3 – Section your hair
Section or divide your hair into as many parts as you want. Isolate the crown of your head so you can save it for last. It is the hardest part to work with.
Start with the back of your head, then the sides and then the top of your head. Sectioning the hair will make it easier to work the bleach into your hair evenly.
Step 4 – Prepare the bleach and developer
Now that your hair is ready, it is time to prepare the hair dye. Typically, follow the package instructions. However, if you bought the bleach powder and developer separately, the usual ratio is one part bleach to two parts developer.
Ensure that the components are mixed correctly and that there are no lumps.
Step 5 – Apply the hair bleach
Release one section of hair and gradually brush the prepared hair dye on the strands. Start with the tips and middle parts of the hair because these take longer to bleach.
Wait at least 20 minutes before applying the bleach to the base of the hair. This will ensure an even color throughout.
Step 6 – Cover your hair and wait
Put your hair up and wear a shower cap. This will provide the ideal environment for the hair bleach to work. Ideally, wait at least 45 minutes. However, you should check your hair repeatedly to ensure the bleach is doing its job correctly.
Don’t wait too long or your hair will have the same hair damage made by coconut oil or excessive use.
Step 7 – Rinse your hair completely
After waiting 45 minutes, remove the shower cap and hair clips, then thoroughly rinse your hair using lukewarm water. Once you are sure that all the hair bleach has been removed, use a deep moisturizing conditioner to return the water stripped away from your hair earlier.
Towel dry your hair. Avoid using a hairdryer or anything that uses heat.
Best Products to Use
Wella Color Charm Powder Hair Lightener
One of the nice things about this product is that it can lift your hair color by up to 7 shades in just one session. In addition, it contains a nourishing oil that will protect your hair from the damaging effects of hair bleach.
This means that this product will considerably lighten your hair, but the side effects of doing so will be minimal.
Schwarzkopf BlondMe
Like the Wella Color Charm, Schwarzkopf BlondMe also has protective ingredients, namely the Bond Enforcing Technology.
This prevents your hair from getting overly damaged by the bleaching process. This product is somewhat better because it can lift hair color by up to 9 shades.
Pravana Pure Light Ultra Lightener
Although people recognize this brand for its hair dyes, they also make great hair-lightening products. Unlike the cheaper brands of hair bleach (yes, this is a bit expensive), this product does not leave your hair as dull.
It is formulated to seal the cuticle after bleaching the hair. The result of applying this product is, therefore, stronger hair strands.
Wella Blondor
You need to use this hair-bleaching product to prevent your hair from getting brassy over time. This is like a hair bleach and toner all in one. This product can lighten your hair up to 7 levels. It is also tinted purple to neutralize any yellow coloration that might come out later.
Tips for Safe Hair Bleaching
If you are bleaching your hair at home, make sure that nothing could go wrong. This means you must prepare adequately not to ruin your hair.
Here are some of the things that you can do to prepare:
Wear Old Clothes
You don’t want to get hair bleach on your favorite shirt or pants. The bleach not only affects the hair if even a bit drops on your clothes, but you can also expect it to leave blotches of discoloration on the fabric.
Make sure to wear old clothes you often wear around the house.
Condition Your Hair Weeks Beforehand
As mentioned earlier, you will need to strengthen your hair beforehand to withstand the damaging effects of hair bleaching. This means you should religiously condition your hair for weeks before bleaching so you can make bleached hair soft and silky.
Use a Toner Afterward
A hair toner will let you adjust the color of your hair to just the right level you want. Also, this will help prevent brassiness from forming in your hair.
Use Purple Shampoo
In the weeks after bleaching, you should start using a purple toning shampoo whenever you start noticing that brassiness is beginning to develop in your hair.
The purple dye agent in the shampoo will counteract and neutralize the orange tint, thereby maintaining the beautiful blonde color in your hair.
FAQ
Can unevenly bleached hair be fixed?
Yes, but not immediately. You will need to wait until your hair has recovered enough to withstand another bleaching session, which usually takes around three to four weeks. On the other hand, you can try the bleach bath hair method, which is milder.
Is it okay to dye unevenly bleached hair without bleaching it twice in one day?
Yes, you can use hair dye to fix unevenly bleached hair, like a failed attempt at balayage on black hair. Pick a hair dye that is a shade or two darker than your current hair color to make it look even.
How often can you bleach your hair?
You can dye your hair as often as you want, but you must wait at least six weeks between sessions. This will give your hair time to regain its original strength and vitality and relieve hot roots. You should also focus on giving your hair proper hydration and retaining moisture.
What are the signs of bleach-damaged hair?
One of the signs of bleach-damaged hair is the dullness of the strands. You will also notice the strands losing their natural shine. Other signs of hair damage by bleach are split ends, brittle hair strands that break easily, and a rough and dry texture that leads to tangling.
Should I tone my hair after the bleaching process?
It is not required, but it is one of the most recommended steps in the bleaching process. Toning will let you tweak the color of the bleached hair. It will also prevent your hair from getting an ugly brassy color later. Choose a toner that has a purple or violet tint. This will neutralize the yellow or orange color.
Anthony Giannotti is a senior writer and editor for Beardoholic and a licensed barber for more than 13 years. He owns 3 barbershops and has his own hair care product line that is sold in barbershops worldwide. Known for his impeccable technique and skills, Anthony is an expert in hair and beard care and he knows the best products and tools to get rid of all beard problems and have an amazing beard.