Dyeing your hair after bleaching can greatly damage your hair if you don’t wait long enough. Generally, it’s best to consult with a hairstylist to receive personalized advice and care, as different people must wait for different times between bleaching and dyeing, depending on their general hair health and other factors. Here is what you should know about hair coloring after bleaching.

Wait Time and Assessing Hair Condition

In most cases, those who want to color their hair after bleaching should wait between 2 to 4 weeks. This wait time is to allow your hair cuticles to close and recover from the drying effects they suffered from bleaching.

If you rush your color application and do not wait for your hair to recover, then you will damage it further, resulting in breakage, hair loss, and other negative consequences. 

However, the 2 or 4-week rule doesn’t apply to all individuals, as everyone’s hair is unique. Therefore, the best way to achieve your desired results is to examine the health of your hair and its condition after bleaching.

Look for signs of excessively dry, brittle, or porous hair. If any of these signs are present, then your hair isn’t ready for coloring. It’s also worth considering using a deep conditioning or protein-based treatment to strengthen your hair even before the coloring occurs.

To get the best results, communicate openly with your hairstylist and opt for a salon with extensive experience in hair coloring techniques.

Choose a Complementary Color

You should always opt for a toner that complements the underlying tone left by the bleaching process that eliminates any unwanted yellows, oranges, or brassiness. Toners can cool, neutralize, or warm your hair color. 

Generally, gold and golden-copper toners enhance light, medium, and dark blonde hair. Purple and blue toners neutralize light hair colors. Red-copper and red toners can enhance red and brown hair, while green toners can be neutralizing and ashy. Toners have fewer effects on brunette hair.

Use Semi-Permanent or Demi-Permanent Color

When you reach the coloring stage of your hair, try to avoid permanent, oxidative dyes and instead opt for deposit-only formulas since they are gentler on your hair and less damaging. If you already have compromised hair, semi-permanent, and demi-permanent colors can help you refresh the color without further damaging it.

Apply With Care & Prioritize Hair Health

When coloring your hair, following the instructions on the color product is essential. You should monitor the processing time and be cautious when applying color. Your hair ends, for example, are more porous and prone to absorption than other parts. Test the color and its development on a single strand at first.

Even after coloring, you should still prioritize your hair health by using nourishing and color-safe haircare products. Try to limit your hair’s exposure to heat. Regular deep conditioning treatments can help you replenish hair moisture, but consult your hair stylist to get an accurate and personalized maintenance plan. They can help you achieve your desired look and color and help you keep your hair vibrant and healthy.