The recovery time for bleached hair largely depends on the severity of the bleaching process and the individual's hair health before bleaching. Factors such as the degree of lightening, the condition of the hair pre-bleach, and the care taken after bleaching can significantly influence the recovery period.
- Mild Bleaching: If the hair was only lightly bleached, it may take several weeks to a couple of months to see noticeable improvements with regular deep conditioning treatments and avoiding further chemical processes.
- Moderate to Heavy Bleaching: For more substantial lightening that leads to considerable damage, recovery can take several months to over a year. Severely damaged hair may not fully "recover" to its original state, but it can become healthier and stronger with consistent and proper care.
Steps to help speed up recovery include:
- Regular use of deep conditioning treatments or hair masks.
- Avoiding heat styling and mechanical damage as much as possible.
- Using sulfate-free, reparative shampoos and conditioners.
- Incorporating leave-in conditioners and hair oils to lock in moisture.
- Eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals that promote hair health, such as biotin, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids.
- Trimming off the most damaged ends regularly.
Ultimately, hair grows about 0.5 inches (1.27 cm) per month on average. New growth will be your hair's natural, undamaged state, so it's important to treat the bleached hair well to prevent future damage as it grows out. For some people, especially those with very damaged hair, cutting off the damaged portions might be the fastest route to healthier-looking hair.