Styling our hair is one of the best ways we can express ourselves.
Today, there are countless ways in which we can fashion our weave. Some of them are compatible, while others may not get so along together.
And so, it raises the question…
Can you braid bleached hair?
Whether you’re looking for a protective style after having damage experience with chemicals or that you want to change your style, here you will find the answer!
Still and all,
First, you must consider that only natural hair – or natural hair extensions – can be bleached.
If you want to braid your hair with synthetic hair, you won’t be able to apply any coloring treatment to it… That’s why it comes in colors, you know *wink*
Once that said, let’s get into business and see what you can do to get those braids you want so much on that golden hair!
Can You Braid Bleached Hair Without Damaging it?
Ok, the most honest and literal answer to this question would be “YES, you CAN braid bleached hair” because technically you can.
However,
Braiding bleached hair can lead to catastrophic damage if you’re not cautious with it.
If I were to give you my most well-intended recommendation, it would be to pick one of the two.
Why?
Because bleaching your hair will ALWAYS damage it, you’ll begin the braiding process with already weakened strands.
And if, at first sight, it doesn’t seem like much of a problem, let me explain why it is.
Bleaching or dying your hair lifts the external cuticle of the hair to let the dye in and then flattens it back.
But as with anything rugged and flattened back, it doesn’t get even again.
In that sense,
Once lifted, the cuticle becomes much more prone to breakage due to the structure being altered.
Even when braiding natural untreated hair, there’s a fair deal of breakage your hair will have to endure.
Not to say the pulling and twisting.
Therefore, the more you’ve exposed your hair to bleaching or dyeing, the more it’s vulnerable to huge breakage.
So, why did I say that you can braid your bleached hair?
Because if you make a few preparations, you can still achieve that desired look and not dye in the process *pun intended*
What Measures Should I Take Before Braiding My Bleached Hair?
Ok, so if you’re 100% convinced that you need that look, then there’s no point in arguing with you; you go, girl!
What I can do, instead…
It gives you some good advice on how to braid bleached hair without damaging it beyond repair…
So, for braiding your bleached hair the healthiest possible way, you should:
- Never dye or bleach your hair one day before the braiding.
- Apply nurturing masks after you bleach your hair (like this one here).
- Wait at least 2-6 weeks or until you can see around an inch of your natural hair.
- Pre and deep-condition your hair before the installment.
- Semi-permanent dying products can be as harmful to braiding as permanent ones.
These are the measures you can apply at home to get less dangerous braiding.
Then,
You must make sure that you are going to a PROFESSIONAL stylist, who will take your hair with extreme care.
They should understand the condition of your hair and be experienced in treating and braiding colored hair.
On the other hand, and to be fair;
When done by an experimented professional and with enough care and preparations, braids can give room to your bleached hair for healing and re-nurturing.
But once again, this is true only if your hair is light-toned but not too bleached.
7 Tips for Braiding Bleached Hair
Bleaching your hair can leave it feeling dry and brittle, making it more prone to breakage.
If you’re planning on braiding your bleached hair, it’s important to take extra care to prevent damage and keep your hair healthy.
Here are seven tips for braiding bleached hair:
Keep Your Hair Well-Moisturized
Bleaching can strip your hair of its natural oils, leaving it feeling dry and brittle.
To combat this, it’s important to keep your hair well-moisturized.
Use a deep conditioning treatment at least once a week to help restore moisture and nourish your hair.
You can also use a leave-in conditioner to help keep your hair hydrated throughout the day.
Use a Heat Protectant
If you plan on using heat styling tools to braid your hair, be sure to use a heat protectant spray first.
This will help to protect your hair from heat damage and prevent breakage.
Simply spray the heat protectant onto your hair before using any heat styling tools.
Avoid Tight Braids
While tight braids may look neat, they can cause unnecessary tension on your hair, leading to breakage and damage.
Opt for looser braids instead and use hair elastics that won’t tug or pull on your hair.
You can also use bobby pins to secure your braids in place.
Protect Your Hair While Sleeping
To keep your braids looking their best, it’s important to protect your hair while you sleep.
Use a silk or satin pillowcase to reduce friction and prevent breakage, or wrap your hair in a silk scarf before bed.
This will help to keep your hair in place and prevent it from getting tangled or damaged while you sleep.
Take Care When Removing Braids
When it’s time to take out your braids, be gentle and take your time.
Use a detangling spray like this one to help ease out any tangles and use a wide-tooth comb to carefully comb out your braids.
Avoid pulling or tugging on your hair, as this can cause breakage and damage.
Once your braids are out, be sure to wash and condition your hair to help restore moisture and keep your hair healthy.
If you want those blonde braids but are not so sure to expose your hair to such damage, then there are a couple of options you can choose from.
Lowering Hair Shades with Bleach-Free Methods
Some natural products such as chamomile, apple cider vinegar, and even cinnamon can lighten up the tone of your hair.
While you probably won’t get a platinum blonde, you can significantly soothe your hair color into a beautiful and creamy tawny weave!
The good news is that those methods far from damaging your hair will nurture it.
And if that’s not enough, you can still find toners and other bleach-free cosmetic products for light-colored hair (like this one here).
Purchase Light-Colored Extensions
Acquiring light-colored or already bleached extensions may be a better way to get the tone you want.
These extensions are usually highly treated before they go for sale, so they will endure the braiding process better than recently dyed hair.
And even if they don’t, it still WON’T be your hair!
By following the above tips you’ll be able to braid bleached hair without damaging it.
Remember to keep your hair well-moisturized, use a heat protectant, avoid tight braids, protect your hair while sleeping, and take care when removing braids.
With a little extra care, you can keep your hair looking and feeling healthy, strong, and beautiful.
Can I Bleach My Hair After I Braid It?
Once again, the answer is ‘Technically yes, you can!’
You can bleach the hair once it’s braided, and it can even be less damaging for the hair than doing it backward.
It may even look awesome the first few days.
The hair will take the dye on the outside, and everything will look just divine.
Until you undo the braids…
Once the tight hair braids gone, you’ll notice how it didn’t allow the bleaching product to go all the way in the hair.
And you’ll have different tones all marveled together with no uniformity at all!
Just imagine the mess!
And even if you dye it dark, the different base tones will reveal the same patterns.
So, yes, you can technically bleach your hair after braiding it. And if you don’t mind the different tones that will appear after you undo your braids, then heads on!
But if a blonde braided weave is what you want, you better follow the advice before and avoid bleaching it after.
Hope this has worked for you and that if you braid your bleached hair, it goes as hot and gorgeous as you deserve!
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