It is a common assumption that people should not wash their hair before bleaching it, but why?
We developed a list of pros and cons of washing your hair before bleaching it to help you make an informed decision about what’s best for you and your own hair.
Should I Wash My Hair Before Bleaching It?
The general consensus among stylists is that you should not wash your hair before bleaching it. The main argument for this is that bleach is hard on your skin, and if you avoid washing your scalp and hair before bleaching, your natural hair oils will protect your scalp from the harsher chemicals in the bleach.
While you’re not in danger either way, avoiding a dry scalp and ensuring the base of your hair maintains its integrity is important. However, there are some “pros” to washing your hair prior to bleaching.
Pro: Wet Hair is a Requirement for Some Bleaching Styles
Some bleaching styles actually require your hair to be wet before beginning the lightening process. If you’re looking for a softer approach to bleaching your hair, wetting it beforehand is a good strategy.
Bleach works by penetrating the cuticle of your hair and decomposing the melanin of each strand. If your hair is wet, it dilutes the bleach so the outcome of the color isn’t as drastic.
A common practice for stylists is a “wet balayage” which is used to brighten ends between full-color appointments. Since the balayage effect requires the hair to be lighter at the ends, a wet balayage can be used between appointments to keep the more dramatic contrast between the roots and ends of the hair.
Touch-up appointments between longer and more drastic bleaching sessions benefit from this diluted bleaching method.
Pro: Bleach Processes Faster on Wet Hair
If you’re pressed for time, applying bleach to wet hair is a quicker alternative to more common bleaching practices. Bleach absorbs faster into wet hair, so you won’t spend as much time in the salon.
When bleaching dry hair, the bleach has to permeate the hair cuticle to reach the middle of each hair strand. This is where the melanin which determines the color of your hair is stored.
Bleach depletes the melanin in your hair to lighten it. Wetting your hair opens the cuticle of each strand. This makes the bleaching process faster because it allows the bleach to go straight to the center of your hair without working to break down the cuticle barrier.
Con: A Clean Scalp Doesn’t Have Natural Oils Protecting It
Our bodies are great at producing their own defense mechanisms. The oil on our scalp is no exception. While bleach doesn’t pose any serious danger to your skin in a normal bleaching process, it can cause minor skin irritations.
The most common issue people experience after getting their hair bleached is a dry scalp. While this isn’t a major concern, it does take a few days to completely recover.
There are several products on the market to help protect your scalp when lightening your hair, but the easiest (and definitely the cheapest) option is to show up to your appointment with unwashed, naturally protected hair.
Con: Hair is Weakest When It’s Wet
Without getting too technical, your hair becomes weaker and more susceptible to damage when it is wet. Typically, your cuticles work as a defense mechanism for your hair.
When your hair is wet and those cuticles are opened, it’s like your hair’s armor is removed. Bleaching wet hair makes it more prone to damage and dryness.
Preparing Your Hair for Bleach
Since the bleaching process can be very drying and damaging to hair, consider using a deep conditioning treatment a few times in the weeks leading up to your appointment.
You can also consider investing in a protein spray or even upping your protein intake in your diet. Hair is made up almost entirely of protein, so the more you can give your hair, the better.
You may also want to consider some heatless styling options to keep your hair moisturized and avoid dryness.
Consult Your Stylist Before Making a Decision
While it is always a good idea to inform yourself about best practices and do your best to prepare your hair before going to a salon, you should discuss your options with your stylist before making a decision.
While the practices mentioned within this article are generally best, everyone’s hair is different. Choosing a well-trained and knowledgeable stylist who can give you recommendations for your specific hair type is always a good idea.
Bleaching techniques differ based on the hair dye you’ve used in the past, your hair’s texture, your natural hair color, and the condition of your hair on the day of your appointment.
Your stylist will be able to assist you with your bleaching options.