When should you do a bleach wash?

Author: Ena Jacobs  |  Last update: Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Over-toned hair: When your hair has been toned too much, a bleach bath can remove the excess toner and restore your hair's natural color. Mild lightening: When you want to lighten your hair just a few shades, a bleach washing is a gentler alternative to traditional bleaching.

When to do a bleach wash?

If you love experimenting with new hair color trends, your stylist may use a bleach wash to strip traces of old dye before applying new color. It's also a reliable option to remove old toner, play down over-toned hair, subtly lighten color, or soften the contrast between your base hue and highlights.

Do you shampoo after a bleach wash?

YES! You need to wash your hair after lightener to make sure that it is all removed from the hair. Shampoo will also deactivate lightener, so that if there are traces it does not continue to do damage. Just make sure you do a deep condition after, and that you use something free of SLS and SES.

How many days before bleaching should I wash my hair?

As we've mentioned, you should wash your hair two days before you have it bleached. This is so that all those lovely natural oils that your scalp produces are still coating the strands of your hair, protecting it from the effects of the bleach.

How do you know when to wash bleach?

How long should I wait to wash my hair after bleaching? Do not wash your hair within the first 72 hours of bleaching your hair. Wait as long as possible, ideally five to seven days. Give hair a minimum of 48 hours before washing. Waiting allows the colour to fully develop.

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Should I use purple shampoo after bleaching?

If your blonde, lightened, or gray hair starts to show yellow or brassy undertones, it's time to reach for purple shampoo. This product is specifically designed to neutralize those warm tones, helping to restore your hair's cool, vibrant color.

How many levels can you lighten hair in one session?

“On virgin hair, you can most likely lift up to seven levels [in one session]. This can become harder on a darker level hair.” The strength of the bleaching agents used and how long they're left on the hair can also play a role in how fast or how slow your dark hair lightens.

What not to do before bleaching hair?

Stylists advise that bleach does not need to go on clean hair, and that it's actually healthier for your hair to be a little oily when you bleach. In fact, the oils in your hair help to protect your scalp during the bleaching process. So, however tempting it may be, do not wash your hair before getting it bleached!

Is it better to bleach dirty or clean hair?

Greasy hair is the recommended hair condition for bleaching, as your hair's natural oils are well-equipped to resist the bleaching process, and protect the scalp from chemical damage. We recommend bleaching hair at least 72 hours post-hair wash for ultimate protection.

Is it better to have clean or dirty hair before coloring?

A good rule of thumb is washing 12-24 hours prior to a hair color visit. 2. **Color Absorption**: There is a common belief that slightly dirty hair can absorb color better. However, this is an outdated belief or color myth that we are busting!

How many levels will a bleach bath lift?

How many levels does a bleach bath lift? A bleach bath can lift hair color by one to two levels. This is typically not as significant as the lightening achieved through traditional bleaching. However, a bleach bath is a gentler option that can be effective for those looking to achieve a subtle lightening effect.

Should I rinse bleach out of hair with cold or hot water?

Step 7: Wash it

When it's fully processed, it's time to wash it out. Use lukewarm water, too hot or cold of water can shock your hair in its already fragile state. Make sure to completely rinse out the bleach and gently wash your hair to get out all the product.

What not to do after bleaching hair?

Avoid hot styling tools.

Heat is the worst thing you can apply to colour or bleach damaged hair. Steer clear of hot styling tools that will worsen the damage. If you must use a hot tool, be sure to use a heat protection spray.

Is a bleach wash less damaging?

It's less damaging than traditional bleaching.

Thanks to the dilution and the application to already-wet strands, bleach baths are considered slightly more gentle.

What to do after bleach wash?

After bleaching & rinsing it out you want to do a vigorous shampooing to remove any residual bleach then toner ( if toning is needed) then rinsing toner out with warm- tepid H2O followed by a good conditioner. You can clearcoat a fresh bleach & tone to smoothen & add shine.

How long to leave bleach on hair at 30 vol?

One of the most common questions is: How long to leave 30 volume developer on hair? In general, it's recommended to leave it on for 15–30 minutes, depending on how much lift you're looking for. However, going over this time can cause significant damage.

Do hairdressers prefer clean or greasy hair?

This also means that any build up or oil can cause the color to not penetrate the hair strands as deep, ultimately not giving you the look you want. For best results when getting highlights or hair color, come to the salon with clean hair. Short answer: Clean hair, please!

Should I oil my hair before bleaching?

The night before bleaching, apply a generous amount of virgin coconut oil to your hair, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends (which are more prone to damage). You can even massage it into your scalp for added moisture.

Can I dye my hair if I haven't washed it in a week?

In general, it's recommended to wash your hair a day or two before your dye session rather than immediately before it. Skipping a day allows for oils to build up on your scalp, which, in turn, helps protect against irritation that can be caused by hair dye.

Is greasy hair better for bleaching?

If at all possible, begin the process with dirty, oily hair (yes, really!). Don't wash your hair before bleaching it, not the night before or even two days before, because washing strips the hair of its natural oils (yes, even with the gentlest of shampoos).

Can I bleach over already bleached hair?

Unless it's a multiple processing situation (ideally being handled by a professional), you shouldn't bleach over hair that's already been bleached. Instead, you should target new growth. Clark says,“If you bleach your hair roots to ends every time, you risk it breaking and becoming damaged.

Should I use clarifying shampoo before bleaching?

By removing product buildup, hardened sebum on the scalp, and excess oil, clarifying shampoos actually help the color or bleach penetrate the strands better, as these impurities leave a film that functions as a barrier.

What are the 7 stages of bleaching hair?

What Are the Different Hair Levels?
  • Level 1: Black.
  • Level 2: Darkest Brown.
  • Level 3: Dark Brown.
  • Level 4: Medium Brown.
  • Level 5: Light Brown.
  • Level 6: Dark Blonde.
  • Level 7: Medium Blonde.
  • Level 8: Blonde.

What happens if you put ash blonde on brown hair?

When you use blonde hair dye on dark brown hair, the dye works by taking away the natural colour (called melanin) from your hair and replacing it with lighter colours. This process is called oxidation. As the melanin goes away, your hair gets lighter and turns blonde.

Should I use 20 or 30 developer with bleach?

For up to 3 levels lift, use bleach with 20 Vol developer. For greater than 3 levels lift, use bleach with 30 Vol developer. For second time bleach applications, use only 20 Vol developer. Otherwise you will damage the hair excessively.

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