How to look after dyed or bleached hair

Caring for your hair depending on your hair type

Our hair is largely defined by our genetics in terms of shape, colour and texture. Nevertheless, there are other factors that influence what our hair looks like, and its condition at certain times, such as stress, poor diet, the use of unsuitable products or changes in our hormone levels.

• Dry hair: it usually has an acidic pH, which causes a lack of elasticity, meaning it breaks easily. Moreover, this lack of flexibility tends to lead to split ends. Therefore, caring for this type of hair should be with mild shampoo and conditioner that regularly hydrate it. We should try to avoid dyes and drying our hair at high temperatures, or aggressive brushing as much as possible.
• Greasy hair: an excess of grease produced by our sebaceous glands gives it a shiny, matted, lank appearance, meaning it tends to get dirty more quickly. Mild shampoo that does not stimulate our sebaceous glands is recommended for greasy hair, avoiding very hot water and a low fat diet.
• Normal hair: with a more elastic, strong, shiny appearance. To look after it, washing it frequently is recommended, avoiding any invasive treatments.
• Curly hair: this tends to be fine, smooth hair, in which the cuticles are not flat, and therefore it tends not to shine. Using shampoo and conditioner that hydrate your hair is recommended, and avoiding combs and brushes, but rather using our fingers to untangle any knots.
• Afro hair: is dry, thick, silky hair with tight curls and susceptible to breaking because it has fewer layers of cuticles than other types of hair. To look after this type of hair properly the scalp needs to be well hydrated before shampoo is applied in order to stimulate grease secretion.
• Thin hair: this hair type lacks volume and strength, and it therefore needs special care such as conditioner that does not need to be rinsed off, to avoid the hair becoming opaque and losing volume.

How to care for bleached hair

• We should not wash our hair immediately after bleaching it. We should wait at least 24 hours.
• We should use a specific hydration treatment for dyed or bleached hair. We should ideally apply it at night to dry hair, and wash it out the next day with a repairing shampoo.
• We recommend using masks for dyed or bleached hair to recover hydration.
• Bleached hair is much more delicate and breaks easily, particularly when it is wet. When your hair is dry, use combs with flexible teeth to comb it.
• Avoid excessive heat after bleaching, and therefore using hair tongues is not recommended. Your hair will be dryer and any excessive heat will dry it out even more, meaning it will be more likely to break.
• Cut the ends regularly as they split easily.
• Avoid tightening hair bands too much if you are going to tie your hair back, because this will also break your hair.
• Space out the intervals of dying or bleaching your hair as much as possible, and do not dye it too often in order to give your hair time to recover its natural structure.

How does dying your hair affect it?

Chemical dyes modify the intermediate layer of your hair, altering its water content, consequently increasing its porosity, weakening it, dehydrating it and drying it. Therefore, special care is absolutely essential, both during and after treatment, using specific shampoo and other products for dyed hair.

It can also cause allergies and irritation because it is contact with your scalp. There are products available on the market to soothe itching or irritated skin, such as soothing serum, which reduces skin irritation with an immediate feeling of relief.

The colour also affects the health of your hair. The further removed from the natural pigment of your hair, the more aggressive on your scalp it will be. For example, dying dark hair to make it white or light blonde, or dying blonde hair to make it dark.

The best ways to hydrate dyed or bleached hair

• Do hydration massages in your dyed hair once a week. Use natural products such as coconut oil, olive oil or oat milk. Leave it to work for between 15 and 20 minutes after washing your hair, and then rinse it off with plenty of lukewarm water.
• Use shampoo and conditioner for dyed hair, based on jojoba or coconut oil. These products should be as natural as possible. Avoid shampoo for greasy hair, or “deep cleansing” products, because they are stronger and more aggressive, and drag everything out, even the dye.
• Protect your hair from the sun, swimming pool chlorine, sea water, wind, etc. In summer you should protect it more using a spray or cream, or covering it with a hat or head scarf. This will form a barrier to prevent the sun’s rays from bleaching the colour of the dye. You will also need to protect your hair when using hair tongues or dryers, because they dry it out more and drain the colour. Before using these items, apply a protective balm, and never use the hair tongues when your hair is wet or damp.