How to keep blonde hair healthy after bleaching, according to a top colourist

We all know that blondes have more fu... Ok, let's cut the BS. Yes our hair might be one feisty shade of platinum, but being a blonde is also pretty hard work. Glorious as it may be, unless you want your ends to split, your lengths to frizz, or your roots to turn a dazzling shade of brassy-yellow, you have to know how to care for blonde hair in between salon appointment.

Unlike our brunette friends, a drastic bleach job requires lifting and using stronger peroxides, so I therefore would never advise doing your roots yourself. These are skills that have taken professionals years to perfect. They're experts at mixing the ideal shade, ensuring your hair stays in the best condition it can and colour-correcting any dodgy undertones. Any mistakes you make may ultimately be harder to fix in the long run. So if you are looking for a refresh, it's always wise book an appointment.

But while I'd never recommend bleaching your own hair from home, there are several ways to look after your hair and keep it looking its brightest and best from your own bathroom. "With the right approach and aftercare, bleaching can give you a bold, fresh look. Just remember to prioritise the health of your hair and scalp – it’ll make all the difference in maintaining a stunning result,” notes celebrity hair stylist Jason Collier, at Jerome Russell Bblonde, (who counts Victoria Beckham and Sienna Miller as clients).

Follow these top tips from Jason and blonde specialists Harriet Muldoon and Amy Fish at the Larry King salon in London to ensure your bleached colour stays in tip top condition.

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Keep your hair washes gentle

Bleaching can irritate and disrupt your scalp, so you want to make sure you're being kind to it post-treatment. Meanwhile some shampoos can strip your hair colour, especially if they're full of harsh sulphates. “When you do wash your hair, use a gentle, sulphate-free shampoo,” says Jason.

Always apply heat protection

It's an obvious one, but when your hair has already been through bleaching, you want to make sure you want to make sure you're doing everything you can to protect it and rebuild it. “Limit heat styling as much as possible,” says Jason. And “if using hot tools, always apply a heat protectant,” he says.

Leave enough time between appointments

Bleaching can be a damaging process, so “wait at least 6–8 weeks before bleaching again to give your hair and scalp time to recover,” says Jason.

Keep hair safe in the sun

We're pretty good at knowing about how to protect our skin in the sun these days, but the same goes for your hair. “Protect your hair from the sun by wearing a hat or using products with UV protection,” says Jason.

Treatments

“Once you’ve bleached your hair, consistent aftercare is essential," notes Jason. “Hydrating treatments and bond repair products should become part of your routine to keep your hair strong and elastic,” he says. And, “if your scalp feels irritated, soothing treatments like aloe vera gel or a gentle scalp serum can help,” he adds.