how long should you leave bleach in your hair

So you have just washed your hair and are determined to leave it in a fabulous condition for the whole day. You are probably wondering how long you should leave bleach in your hair before rinsing it out. Although there is no strict rule, most hairdressers will tell you to leave it in for at least three to five minutes before rinsing. Let’s take a closer look at why you should leave bleaching in your hair for a longer time and what you should do to ensure that your hair stays as vibrant as new for the whole day. 

3 To 5 Minutes

The first thing you need to do is wait three to five minutes after rinsing before applying any other products to your hair. During this time, the hair will be saturated in moisture and exposed to the air which helps maintain its natural defense against harmful UV rays and free radicals. You should definitely use a hat and sunscreen during this time so that your hair does not tangle or come undone. Also, during this time, you cannot apply any products directly to the scalp as the hair there will already be saturated with the serum. Even after five minutes, your hair will still smell and look amazing.

After 5 To 10 Minutes

After five to ten minutes of leaving your hair exposed to air, you can start applying oils, creams, and serums to your hair. You can also use a dry shampoo to provide smooth, lasting results without weighing your hair down. As with the other products you were applying to your hair, you should wait till your hair is completely dry before applying them for best results. Even then, you should go easy by applying only a small amount at a time.

After 10 To 15 Minutes

After ten to fifteen minutes of leaving your hair exposed to air, you can start applying any styling products to your hair such as dry shampoos, curl activators, anti-frizz serums, or sea salt sprays. You can also use a dry shampoo to smooth out any rough edges and refresh your hair.

After 15 To 20 Minutes

After fifteen to twenty minutes of leaving your hair exposed to air, you should start applying any styling products to your hair. You can use a curl activator to give your hair a jumpstart, then follow up with a sea salt spray or dry shampoo to lock in the moisture. After another ten minutes or so, you can start using a protein-boosting serum or cream to give your hair the boost it needs to thrive.

20 To 30 Minutes

Once your hair is really dry, you should wait twenty to thirty minutes before applying any styling products. During this time, your hair will gain some of its natural defense against UV radiation and free radicals. After thirty minutes, your hair will be completely dry and ready to use as you wish. However, it is still important to use a good sunscreen every day because the lack of UV protection can cause your hair to age prematurely.

More Than 30 Minutes

If you leave your hair exposed for more than thirty minutes, you will start seeing some significant damage. Your hair will become drier and frizzier, and you will see fewer and less shiny strands. So although you can leave your hair exposed for longer periods of time, you should not do so if your hair is not yet completely dry. You can use a dry shampoo to temporarily smooth out any frizzies, but make sure you use a clarifying shampoo to remove all the dead cells from your scalp. Even after thirty minutes, your hair will still be prone to breakage because it is not completely dry.

Rinsing

When rinsing your hair, you should always wait till your hair is completely dry before applying any other products. The reason behind this rule is that when you rinse your hair before applying any other product, the hair will be somewhat damp which can leave it more vulnerable to getting tangled or falling over time. So always wait till your hair is completely dry before rinsing it out.

Repeat

A lot of people think that once you leave your hair exposed, that is all you need to do to make sure your hair looks fabulous for the day. However, this is far from true. You should continue to leave your hair exposed, but you should also continue to shampoo and condition it regularly. Just because you washed your hair that day does not mean that you can stop caring for it. In fact, you should continue conditioning and shampooing your hair every other day to keep your hair looking fabulous.

So always keep your hair wet, but try to avoid using any kind of oil or cream on it. If you use oils or creams on your hair, it will become weighed down and won’t look as fabulous as it could. Always use a dry shampoo to give your hair extra shine and volume. Make sure you use protein-boosting serum or cream on your scalp to give your hair the boost it needs to flourish. And last but not least, make sure you use a UV booster every other day to protect your hair and make it look healthy and natural.

Now you know exactly how long you need to leave bleach in your hair. Make sure you use the above information to help you keep your hair looking fabulous all day long.

Try Not To Overuse

Although there is no strict rule when it comes to how long you should leave bleach in your hair, most hairdressers will tell you that you should not overuse it. When you overuse bleach, it will strip your hair of its natural defense against UV radiation and free radicals. In addition, when you overuse bleach, it can also damage your hair in a number of ways. If you follow the tips discussed above, you will be able to keep your hair looking fabulous for the whole day.