“When Can I Bleach My Hair Again?” – Here’s How To Tell
Reach your dream hair color safely!
Researched, written by 
Amber & The Team
Updated on August 7, 2023
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“When can I bleach my hair again?”
That’s a question that many people are asking when they try to achieve that perfect, light hair color of their dreams.
Sometimes getting blonde happens easily, sometimes it takes more than a few sessions – and that can take a toll on your hair pretty fast.
However, there are a few ways to do it safely – one of them is bleaching with proper breaks.
First Things First: Some Important Things To Note About Hair Bleaching
If you’re using hair bleaching solutions at home, follow the instructions carefully
Follow the directions for the product on your bottle, and be sure not to leave it on longer than it’s recommended.
Even better – take the recommended test before you try any bleaching product.
“Sacrifice” one small strand of hair to see if the product gives you the results you want with as little damage as it’s possible.
If you don’t have a lot of hair to bleach, you might want to try a cheaper and safer alternative to bleaching like a low-cost hair toner
If you do have a lot of hair to bleach, though, you may still want to consider using the peroxide-based hair toner.
Your hairdresser can help you to decide on the best choice.
One way to stop bleaching from taking its toll on your hair is to do some deep conditioning
Deep conditioning can be as simple as soaking your hair in olive oil or shampoo-conditioner solution and it should be done regularly after you bleached your hair.
Doing deep conditioning every few weeks can really help your hair hold on to its natural luster longer, preventing breakages and dullness.
So When Can I Bleach My Hair Again?
If you want to bleach your hair roots, you’re going to have to wait for your hair to grow out before you can bleach it again.
The reason why you need to wait for your hair to grow back is that root bleaching is done on virgin hair only.
Basically, wait until you can’t take it anymore and then bleach only the hair roots.
If you want to bleach all of your hair (not just the roots), keep on reading!
Can I Bleach My Hair Again After 24 Hours?
It’s not recommended to bleach your hair again within such a short timeframe.
Here are some reasons why.
1. More Hair Damage
Bleaching is a strong chemical process that strips your hair of its natural pigment.
Doing this consecutively within a short period can severely damage the hair structure, leading to breakage, split ends, and dryness.
2. More Scalp Irritation
Bleaching can irritate the scalp.
Bleaching again in quick succession can heighten this irritation, leading to burns, itching, and discomfort.
3. It Can Lead To Unpredictable Results
The results of bleaching the second time within 24 hours might be totally unpredictable.
There’s a risk of uneven color, patchiness, or not achieving the desired level of lightness.
If you’re not satisfied with the results of your initial bleaching, it’s important to consult with a professional hairstylist before taking further steps.
They can assess the condition of your hair and recommend the best course of action.
If you do decide to proceed, always conduct a strand test to gauge how your hair will respond and to minimize potential damage.
Remember, hair health should be a priority.
It’s always best to give your hair adequate time to recover before subjecting it to further chemical treatments.
Can I Bleach My Hair Again After a Week?
Waiting a week or longer before re-bleaching your hair can be safer than doing it within a short timeframe like 24 hours.
However, it’s still quite a short time for your hair to recover after the first session.
Overprocessed hair can become highly porous, meaning it absorbs and releases moisture more easily than healthy hair.
This, again, can lead to unpredictable results when coloring or bleaching.
If your hair feels gummy when wet or is breaking easily, it may be over-processed already and not suitable for another round of bleach.
It’s essential to prioritize the health of your hair and scalp over achieving the perfect shade.
Overbleaching, or bleaching too soon can even result in unrepairable hair damage so it’s best to seek advice from a professional.
Can I Bleach My Hair Again After 3 Months?
Three months is a significantly longer waiting period, and it’s generally considered a safer timeframe for most people when considering re-bleaching.
However, there are 3 important factors you should consider.
1. Hair Condition
Always assess the health of your hair.
If after three months it still feels weak, brittle, or excessively dry, it might not be ready for another bleaching session.
If your hair feels elastic or gummy when wet, this is a sure sign of over-processed hair.
2. Hair Growth
In three months, most people will have about an inch or more of new hair growth.
If you’re bleaching your roots, the new growth will handle the bleach differently than the previously bleached hair (potentially resulting in uneven color).
3. Scalp Health
Your scalp should have had ample time to recover in three months.
However, always check for any signs of irritation or sensitivity before proceeding with another bleach.
Always approach the process with caution and consider seeking professional guidance for the best results.
Are There Any Alternatives To Peroxide?
If you do want to try to bleach your hair again but are afraid to ruin your hair health, you can try a hair toner that will help boost the color of your hair before you decide to do the full bleach again.
Just make sure the toner doesn’t contain ingredients like alcohol.
Also, make sure you purchase a product that says it’s only for use on colored hair.
For the best results, always choose a hair toner that uses the exact same ingredients that were in your original toner.
Sometimes, it’s not as simple as just going to buy a bottle of bleach.
There are specific steps that must be followed for each batch of bleached hair.
Each time you do it, you’re going to break down the ingredients in your toner and if you don’t do the required steps, then the bleach will get weaker, and you won’t be able to get your hair to the color you want.
When Can I Bleach My Hair Again If Toners Don’t Work For Me?
That depends on how much you actually want to spend.
If you want the brightest color possible, then you may bleach your hair more often but make sure to do it at a salon.
Professional bleaching solutions and hairdressers who know what they’re doing will save your hair some health.
However, if you just need some minor bleaching (like 1-2 shades lighter), then there’s no need to do it very often and you can get by with store-bought bleaching products.
The key here is to not overdo it so you don’t end up with bleach-damaged hair (ouch)!
Conclusion
As you can see, the answer to this burning question is – it depends!
Each person has different needs, so you may have to experiment to find the product that works best for you.
Just make sure that you follow all directions, don’t skip steps, and don’t go overboard crazy while trying to reach your dream shade of blonde.
Healthy hair is better than fried, but really light hair.
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