How to Fix Bleach Damaged Hair in 9 Steps

For platinum blondes, sun-kissed brondes, and every light shade in between, hair lightener is the key to unlocking some of the most covetable blonde hair colors out there. But, if you've landed on this page, it's probably because you're concerned about bleach damage – including how to prevent it, how to reverse it, and how to go blonde in the safest way.

So, we're here to help you make bleach damaged hair history. Whether you're reading this pre-highlights or caring for already lightened lengths, follow these tips to give bleached hair its shine back...

FIRST, WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF BLEACH DAMAGED HAIR?

The most common signs of bleach damage in your hair include:

• dullness and a loss of shine;
• brittle strands that are prone to breakage;
• flyaways and split ends
• excess tangling and hair that's hard to tame;
• a dry, rough texture;

In some cases – although this is rare – extremely bleach damaged hair can also start to snap off. This would usually be down to misuse of lightener, such as double bleaching on the same day or lifting hair that's too delicate. Your colorist should know what steps to follow to ensure hair doesn't become over-processed, so listen to them if they say you need to lay off the bleach for a little while. They've got your hair's best interests in mind.

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR HAIR FROM BLEACH DAMAGE

Before we go into fixing bleach damaged hair, let's talk about preventing it. If you haven't embraced bleached hair yet but you're tempted, your nearest Wella salon has all the tools to help you go blonde with confidence. Ask your colorist for these:

1. MARULA OIL BLEND SCALP PRIMER TO PROTECT YOUR SCALP

Sensitive scalps can become irritated during close-to-root lightener application, so if you’re opting for lightening that starts near the scalp, ask your colorist to apply a skin protector first. If you visit a Wella salon, they can treat your sensitive scalp to the Marula Oil Blend Scalp Primer, a comforting protector that nourishes delicate skin without altering or diluting your color formula.

2. BLONDORPLEX FOR A BOND-STRENGTHENING PRE-LIGHTENER

Hair lightening doesn't have to be harsh. BlondorPlex is our bond-strengthening pre-lightener that teams up to 9 levels of lift with up to 97% less hair breakage¹. Ideal for every kind of lightening process, from balayage to an all-over lift, it's also infused with an anti-yellow complex that ensures hair strands appear bright but never brassy. Boost its bond-repair effects at home with the WellaPlex N°3 Hair Stabilizer, a deep weekly treatment that reinforces the hair cuticle to keep strands strong in between salon visits.

How to Care for Bleach Damaged Hair

1. Use Two Types of Shampoo

You need two types of shampoo to maintain your new blonde hair color. First, lather up with ULTIMATE REPAIR Shampoo for an indulgent formula that suits all hair types. Rich and creamy, its luxurious foam rinses away breakage-causing impurities, from pollution to oil to product build-up, while caring for strands from the inside out.

The second shampoo you need is a purple shampoo. Brassiness is common in bleach damaged hair, but INVIGO Blonde Recharge Cool Blonde Shampoo is a salon-grade solution that keeps those overly warm tones at bay. Loved by professionals and suitable for home care, its violet tint neutralizes any hints of yellow or orange. Only use this when your hair needs it – you'll know it when you see brassiness appear. The rest of the time, ULTIMATE REPAIR Shampoo keeps your hair healthy and balanced.

2. Never, Ever Skip Conditioner

You never want to wash highlighted hair without applying a conditioner afterwards. Not only will it support your hair with essential nourishment, but it will also make detangling easier to manage, in turn reducing breakage. Opt for one that pairs with your hair repair shampoo, like ULTIMATE REPAIR Conditioner. The luxurious formula gives hair intense inner strength without weighing it down, leaving hair soft to the touch.

3. Use a Smart Conditioning Hair Mask

Weekly hair masks are essential to restoring moisture in damaged blonde hair, so make sure you're using one that's high in reparative ingredients, like ULTIMATE REPAIR Mask. The color-safe, concentrated cream harnesses smart conditioning agents which identify areas of damage, then work to repair the inner bonds as well as the outer layer.

Then, try this: after shampooing your hair, carefully squeeze out excess water. Too much water can dilute your masks and conditioners, so you may even want to gently towel-dry strands at this stage. (Blot – don't rub.) This creates the perfect base for your mask to be quickly and easily absorbed, so your hair soaks up more of the nutrients. Rinse after 10 minutes.

4. Repair Bleached Hair Damage With This Leave-In Treatment

No hair repair regimen should be without ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue, especially if you’re dealing with lightener damage. The leave-in treatment is one of a kind, packed with a skincare-inspired blend of AHA and Omega-9 that repairs your lightened hair from the inside out.

So, how does it work? The AHA is an organic acid small enough to penetrate the cuticle, where it rebuilds broken bonds within the cortex – a problem that’s common in bleach damaged hair. Meanwhile, Omega-9 is a bio-identical lipid that cares for the outer layer, recreating a protective barrier to lock in hair health, so your new blonde color appears smoother and shinier. The result: repair of hair damage in 90 seconds² and 99% less breakage³ – a breakthrough for anyone who's lightened (or is about to lighten) their hair.

It's easy to use, too. Simply mist it through clean, damp hair, allow it to absorb for 90 seconds, and then style as usual. You'll soon see the miracle for yourself.

5. Detangle Hair From the Ends to the Roots

If your hair has been damaged through the lightening process, it may be trickier to detangle. This is due to the lifting of the cuticle, which leaves strands rough, dry and prone to knots. So, you’ll need to follow a gentle detangling regimen to ensure you smooth out knots without causing breakage. For this, use a specialized brush that’s suitable for wet hair – not just any brush or comb. Start detangling from the ends first, working through knots just a little at a time, then gradually move your way up to the roots until every last tangle has been removed.

6. Put Oil Back Into Your Hair

If your hair is bleach damaged, it's likely the natural oils that protect your lengths have been stripped away. That's why hair oil is crucial, putting nourishment back into stressed-out strands. ULTIMATE SMOOTH Miracle Oil Serum will do that and more, thanks to its multi-tasking formula, which not only softens, smooths and adds shine but also keeps your hair shielded from heat and UV damage.

How exactly? With a blend of Squalane and Omega-9 that cares for each strand from the inside out, working to nourish your hair in 30 seconds for smoothness that lasts up to 3 days⁴. Use it as a pre-shampoo treatment, a post-wash styler and a heat protectant. When glow is the goal, this miracle oil gives your blonde hair a mirror-like shine.

7. Reduce Friction With Everyday Upgrades

The last thing your damaged hair needs is extra stress, so reduce friction by making a few easy switches in your hair care regimen. Try this...

• Swap regular towels for a microfiber towel and always blot hair dry instead of rubbing.
• Use silk scrunchies and spiral hair ties instead of elastics when wearing your hair up.
• Opt for low-tension up-dos that won't tug on the scalp, like nape-hugging ponytails or chignons.
• Before bed, apply ULTIMATE REPAIR Night Serum to protect hair from pillow friction, and sleep on a silk pillowcase.

8. Protect Lightened Hair From UV Rays and Chlorine Damage

If you're heading on vacation, you'll need more than sunscreen in your suitcase. Ensure you pack a hair product with UV protection built in, like ULTIMATE SMOOTH Miracle Oil Serum. It can be applied to damp or dry hair, so you can smooth it through strands after a post-beach shower, then top it up in between washes for an instant sun shield.

It's important to protect your hair when swimming, too. Whether you're hitting the pool or enjoying the ocean, soak your hair (and we mean soak it) with clean water and a leave-in conditioner first. Your hair is like a sponge – it can only hold so much moisture – so the fresh water acts like a barrier, stopping lightened strands from absorbing too much chlorine or salt.

9. Ask for a Zero-Damage Color Glaze

Finally, if your lightened hair is in need of toning, don't try to do it at home. Instead, head to your nearest Wella salon and ask for a SHINEFINITY Color Glaze. Because it's a deposit-only formula, it gives you a zero-damage, zero-lift, translucent veil of color, designed to restore irresistible shine with no compromise. So, not only do you get a gentle shade refresh that makes your bleach damaged strands appear healthier, but you also enjoy up to 250% shinier hair⁵.

Looking for more ways to repair and rehydrate damaged hair? Check out our complete collection of hair care advice, featuring salon-approved, expert tips for every hair type.

¹ When using Wellaplex N°2 with Blondorplex, versus Blondorplex alone.

² When using ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue.

³ When using ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue, instrumental test vs. non-conditioning Shampoo.

⁴ When using ULTIMATE SMOOTH Miracle Oil Serum, if unwashed for 3 days, vs. untreated.

⁵ Versus untreated bleached hair.