So Now That I'm A Blonde...

My hair requires extra... EXTRA care. I remember the first time I had it bleached, it totally freaked out on me. It was a sad, sad day. BUT! Thanks to my super-duper-cool hair stylist, we were able to repair the damage. Now my hair is healthy again!

Yay!

I can run my fingers through it, and it feels silky soft -grins- It's still very short (I cut it over the summer because, hello! California is always super hot in the summer), but I'm thinking about letting it grow out again. My husband want's me to dye it black once again, but bleh, what's the fun in black? Although, I do look kinda hot with black hair (JK).

If anything, I'll make it fun, maybe red, maybe low lights, maybe something totally crazy. I don't know yet.

Well, as for the reason for this post... for those of you girlies (and guy...ies?) out there who have had horrible experiences with bleach and refues to take the balding route, here's a few things you can do to repair your hair:

(Compliments of Karen Marie Shelton of Hair Boutique)

If you are unfortunate enough to experience damage from a bleaching process there are steps you can take to repair your hair. Depending on the severity of the damage, your hair may or may not completely recover. Regardless, expect the repair cycle to take some time. After all, hair can not be instantly repaired after a serious chemical treatment.

How To Recover From Bleach Damage

Consider taking the following steps:

1. Limit the number of times you shampoo your hair per week. If you can stretch the amount of time in-between shampoos this gives hair time to rest and for the natural hair oils to accumulate.

2. Use the most moisturizing shampoo formulas that you can afford. When possible, experiment with formulas specifically designed for hair that is chemically treated and/or damaged. Some products are designed to work together to condition colored hair.

3. Dilute the shampoo 1 part to 3 parts warm water. Even shampoo that is designed to add moisture or work with chemically damaged hair may be too much for your hair to handle in the initial stages of recovery. Experiment with a diluted formula first. If your hair reacts well to the dilution, work towards using a non-diluted formula.

4. Wash hair ONLY in lukewarm water. Hot water will dry out the cuticle and enhance any existing damage.

5. Rinse hair many times until all shampoo has been completely removed.

6. Apply a deep conditioner designed for chemically treated or damaged hair. Depending on the amount of damage you may wish to deep condition more than once a week.

7. Leave the deep conditioner on the hair for a minimum of 30 minutes. Add heat from a hood dryer to help the moisture penetrate deep into the cortex.

8. Always perform the final rinse with cool to cold water. This seals newly added moisture back into the cuticle.

9. Use a heavy leave-in conditioner like the world's best selling Phyto 9 conditioner with macademia nut oils. This product has saved my dry strands many times from breakage.

10. Avoid using hot styling tools which will exacerbate the dryness of any chemically damaged hair. Allow hair to air dry. To add curls or waves use, pin curls, rag or soft sponge rollers. Avoid heat like the plague.

11. Take essential fatty acids (EFAs) and add olive oil or other oils to your diet. This will help replace lost moisture from the inside of the body.

12. Take hair vitamins designed to strengthen hair. These will help the hair to repair itself from the root area as the strands grow.

13. Use only a smooth, wide toothed combs. Comb and brush damaged hair only as needed. Use only a boar's head brush of the highest quality you can afford. Never brush spongy or damaged hair when wet.

14. If the damage does not improve after a few weeks, visit a hair care professional for salon conditioning treatments. Have damaged ends removed.

15. Avoid applying any additional chemicals to severely damaged hair. The result could be disastrous.

16. Drink lots of water, get plenty of rest and treat your hair with extra special kindness.

Conclusion

With perseverance, patience and lots of love, most damaged strands will eventually recover. Once you get your hair back to a healthy level, think twice before applying any other potentially damaging chemical treatments. Or if you must, go to a professional that can minimize potential damage.