How to care for bleached or chemically treated hair?

Bleaching, coloring, perming, straightening – while chemical services give your hair the look you want, they also wreak havoc on your strands. Chemically treated hair often becomes dry, brittle, and prone to breakage. With the proper at-home care, you help maintain and even restore the health of processed locks. They strip hair of its natural oils, leaving it dried out. Opt for a gentle, sulfate-free formula to cleanse hair without removing too much moisture. Avoid shampooing daily and only lather up roots to prevent dryness.

Conditioner is vital for replenishing hydration and keeping chemically treated hair from becoming parched. Apply generously from mid-shaft to ends after every shampoo. Let sit for 2-3 minutes before rinsing for maximum penetration. Use a leave-in conditioner after washing as well. For added moisture, apply a hair mask 1-2 times a week.

Protect strands with oils 

Natural oils like coconut, argan, jojoba, and olive are great for nourishing damaged strands. Apply a few drops to damp hair after washing. Concentrate on mid-lengths and ends where hair tends to be most porous. Don’t apply oil to roots which can lead to a greasy look. A weekly deep conditioning treatment gives very dry, damaged hair an extra dose of hydration. Look for formulas containing fatty acids, ceramides, and proteins. Apply generously and let sit for 15-30 minutes with heat from a towel or hair dryer. Rinse well – hair will be ultra soft.

Avoid heat styling

The heat from blow drying, curling irons, straighteners, and more further dehydrate fragile, chemical-treated hair. Allow hair to air dry when possible or use the cool setting on styling tools. If using heat, always prep with a thermal protectant spray to shield strands. Work through knots and tangles slowly using a wide-tooth comb, starting at the ends and working up to prevent too much breakage. Use a leave-in conditioner to help smooth things out and minimize snags.

Use bond-building products

Bond-building shampoos, conditioners, and treatments contain active ingredients that help repair broken bonds in hair that occur during chemical processing. With continued use, these products reinforce strands to make them stronger and more resistant to damage over time. Schedule trims every 6-8 weeks to snip away split ends before they travel up the length of hair causing more breaks and tears. This small step helps maintain healthy hair growth. Ask your stylist to assess the damage and suggest a personalized hair salons fort lauderdaleregimen. 

Protect hair while sleeping 

Tying hair in a tight ponytail or bun causes strain, pulls, and friction that leads to the breakage of fragile strands. Opt for a loose braid or silk pillowcase at night instead. The smooth fabric minimizes tangles. Rinsing with hot water opens pores in hair causing moisture loss. Stick to lukewarm or cool water when shampooing and conditioning to avoid stripping hair. Consider getting a shower filter for added protection.