Changing up your hair can be quite a commitment, especially if you are looking to bleach your hair. While bleach might be the best solution to achieve the look and color you are looking for, there are a few things to be aware of before making the such a large commitment. At Keyglam, we’ve dabbled in bleach as well and want to share these few tips if you are looking to take the deep dive like we did!

Be prepared for maintenance if you want to keep your hair as healthy as possible…we recommend the following:

1. Avoid heat

Applying additional heat to your bleached hair can cause more damage and can lead to more breakage. Try air dying after washing your hair to avoid excessive heat. Flat irons and hair curlers can also lead to damaged hair. If you absolutely wish to use heat, moderately try applying a hair heat protectant to avoid additional unnecessary damage.

2. Rehydrate your hair with argan or coconut oil

Oils are a great way to add hydration back into your hair since beaching strips it causing a straw-like consistency. We’ve tried both coconut oil and argan oils which have help add moisture back into bleached hair. We recommend lathering either coconut or argan oil in dry hair for at least 45 min and then washing it out. Your hair will feel smoother instantly. Try this at least 2 times a week.

3. Invest in a hair bond repair product

Damaged ends are inevitable after bleaching, make sure you invest in a bond repair product to help seal ends of the damaged hair follicles. We recommend Olaplex No. 3.

4. Deep condition with a hair mask once a week

Using hair masks frequently is a great habit to have whether you have bleached hair, dyed hair or just want some hydration back in your hair. Some of our favorite hair masks are: It’s a 10 Miracle Mask and Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask.

5. Avoid washing your hair frequently

Over washing your hair strips essential oils and causes additional breakage. Dry shampoo’s can be your savior while giving you a fresh look without the water. We recommend washing 1-2 times per week and use dry shampoo for the rest. One of our favorite dry Shampoos is Living Proof’s Perfect hair Day (PhD) Dry Shampoo.

6. Trim dead ends

While it’s a misconception that trimming dead ends will help your hair grow faster, it does help promote healthier hair. Trimming your split ends can reduce frizz and tangles that unhealthy ends tend to promote.

7. Use a microfiber towel when washing your hair

Microfiber towels also help reduce friction in your hair causing less breakage, especially in fragile bleached hair.

So if you’re feeling like it’s time for a change and you want to spruce up your locks with some bleach, keep in mind these 7 helpful hair tips to keep your locks looking fresh and healthy.