Can I Use Neutralizing Shampoo After Bleaching Hair?
Can I Use Neutralizing Shampoo After Bleaching Hair?
Last month, my friend Sophia got her hair bleached. She was very excited as she wanted to lighten her hair even more, but just a week after bleaching, her hair became rough and dry.
She asked me, “Can I use neutralizing shampoo after bleaching my hair?”
If you, too, are thinking of getting bleaching done, this same question keeps popping into your mind.
Let’s talk in detail about what bleaching is.
Bleach removes the natural color called melanin from your hair, and it opens the cuticles (the outer layer of your hair) to change the hair color. This process weakens the hair, and if you don’t take proper care, your hair becomes frizzy, tangled, and prone to breaking. This is where this question arises in every woman’s mind: “Can I use a neutralizing shampoo after bleaching my hair?”
Let’s figure out what neutralizing shampoo is.
Neutralizing shampoo is a special kind of shampoo, and it is also called pH-balancing shampoo. When we bleach or color our hair, our hair’s pH level increases significantly. To bring it back to normal levels, neutralizing shampoo is used.
Think of it this way: sometimes, when we eat something extremely spicy, then drink milk to soothe the burning sensation, in exactly the same way, a neutralizing shampoo calms the irritation caused by bleaching and normalizes the pH level.
Question: So, can I use neutralizing shampoo after bleaching my hair?
Short answer – Yes, absolutely. This is the correct way to do it. All professional salons use a neutralizing shampoo after bleaching, as it prevents harsh chemicals from penetrating deep into the hair.
When and how should you use neutralizing shampoo?
- Immediately after rinsing out the bleach, wash your hair with cold or lukewarm water, then apply this neutralizing shampoo.
- Leave it on for 2-3 minutes: This allows it to balance the pH level of your hair.
- Use conditioner after shampooing: Apply conditioner after the use of neutralizing shampoo.
My Advice: Ensure you have neutralizing shampoo before starting bleaching at home. Without it, don’t bleach.
Benefits of neutralizing shampoo (every woman should know this)
- After bleaching, it soothes the burning sensation on your scalp and provides a cooling effect.
- It makes hair soft, shiny, and strong, and prevents breakage.
- Add shine to hair and also strengthens dull hair.
- It prevents harsh chemicals from reaching the roots of your hair.
- Helps hair color last longer
Common mistakes many women make:
Mistake 1: Using neutralizing shampoo every day
This is a special kind of shampoo and is meant to be used only right after the bleaching or coloring. Avoid using it daily. Doing so, it makes your hair even drier.
Mistake 2: Avoiding conditioner
Neutralizing shampoo removes all the dirt along with harsh chemicals, but it also strips the natural oils from your hair. So always follow up with a deep conditioner or hair mask.
Mistake 3: Scrubbing hair vigorously
After bleaching, hair becomes very delicate, so apply shampoo gently with soft hands.
My story (practical tips for you)
When I got my hair bleached for the first time. I wanted the silver color. After applying bleaching, my stylist applied neutralizing shampoo to my hair. By that time, I didn’t know anything about it, so I asked her if it was necessary to use this special shampoo after bleaching. She replied, “Yes, very important—this is what makes your hair softer and stronger.
That’s when I learned about this neutralizing shampoo, and she was absolutely right. After using it, my hair looked quite shiny and soft.
That’s why I always advise that whenever you are getting bleaching done or undergoing any treatment, you must have the complete information.
Practical tips (everyone should keep these in mind)
- Do a patch test: always do a patch test on a small section of your hair
- Wash your hair with cold water: When shampooing, use cold water, or you can use lukewarm water, but avoid hot water, as it weakens hair.
- Oil your hair once a week: Apply argan oil or coconut oil to your hair once a week.
- Conditioner after shampooing: Conditioning keeps your hair soft.
What happens if you use a regular shampoo instead of a neutralizing shampoo after bleaching?
Many people think it is okay to use normal shampoo after bleaching. Here I’d say, “Don’t make such a mistake, you will damage your hair, and over time, your hair becomes rough and dry. So, always use neutralizing shampoo only after the bleaching.
FAQs
- My scalp is sensitive. Do I still need to use neutralizing shampoo after bleaching?
Yes, but do a patch test. If you feel a burning sensation, dilute the shampoo with water before using it or buy a mild neutralizing shampoo from the market.
- For how many days can I use this shampoo after bleaching?
Only right after bleaching or within 24 hours. After that, use only sulfate-free normal shampoo. Neutralizing shampoo should be used only once right after the bleaching; after that, use normal shampoos. Daily usage of neutralizing shampoo can damage your hair.
- Does neutralizing shampoo remove the white color from bleach?
Yes. It cleans away any leftover bleach residue and makes your hair lighter, softer, and shinier. This is the main work of this shampoo; it removes harsh bleach chemicals from hair.
- If I’ve applied henna to my hair, can I still use neutralizing shampoo after bleaching?
If you’ve applied henna after bleaching your hair, be careful because the chemicals in bleach and henna can react, and your hair could turn green. In that case, you should consult your stylist or doctor first. Generally, neutralizing shampoo is safe, but still do a strand test first.
- Can a 12- to 14-year-old girl use neutralizing shampoo on her hair?
A young girl’s scalp and hair are very delicate; therefore, children under the age of 18 should avoid bleaching their hair. If, for any reason, you’ve already done so, use neutralizing shampoo only once and follow up with a mild conditioner.
Conclusion
So, my lovely friends, this guide might have given all the information about when to use neutralizing shampoo after bleach.
Always remember these points:
- Apply neutralizing shampoo right after the bleaching
- Always use conditioner after shampooing hair
- Massage your hair with oil once a week
If you have friends who need to know about neutralizing shampoo, share this guide with them.
It is my heartfelt wish that you may always have soft, shiny, and healthy hair.