Did you bleach your hair and are now having second thoughts? Hey, we’ve all done it at one point or another.
You probably wish your bleached hair would return to normal right now.
Things aren’t going to be that simple, though. It would be great if you had the magic wand and could make your bleached hair go away by simply saying the magic words.
But, this is not fiction – and there isn’t any magic that can grant your wishes.
So, in real life, how long does bleach hair last?
You will never be able to return to your original hair color after you have bleached it. We’re sad to tell you, but bleaching is a permanent process.
Worry not, though. This article will give you advice on how to treat your hair while waiting for it to grow out!

Hair-Bleaching Process – An Overview
Bleaching is not a game! Because it is a chemical process, it must be approached thoughtfully and with extreme caution.
But what exactly is hair bleaching?
It’s a chemical technique that removes the pigment from hair strands, resulting in lighter-colored hair.
There are two main ingredients involved in it – hydrogen peroxide and bleach powder.
The hydrogen peroxide is required to expose the hair strands, while the bleaching powder removes the natural hues in your hair. The longer the bleach powder is left on the hair, the lighter it becomes.
If you plan to bleach your hair and want to discover more on how to do it, continue reading for crucial things you should consider before beginning the process.
Related Read: How Long To Leave Bleach On Hair?

Check Your Hair Before Bleaching
It’s critical to review your hair’s overall health condition before bleaching it. We can’t stress that enough:
If your hair shows signs of dryness, breakage, or it looks dull and lifeless, you should probably reschedule the bleaching treatment.
Instead, you should focus on restoring your hair and infusing it with nutrition. It would be best to begin prepping your hair months in advance to avoid damage from the bleaching process.
Since they are both harsh chemicals, the bleach powder and the hydrogen peroxide will amplify these weak hair signs.
Now, bleach works much better on virgin or untreated hair, which is why experts advise waiting at least three months before bleaching it. If you dye your hair, then instantly bleach it, it is more prone to damage.
You should generally avoid coloring their hair for a couple of months before bleaching and then minimize the use of heat tools – or stop using them altogether – at least a week before you get it bleached.
Related Read: Can You Bleach Wet Hair?

How To Restore The Natural Color Of Your Hair After Bleaching?
There’s no quick answer on how to return to your natural hair color after bleaching, but with just a bit of time and planning, you can get through it.
Now, all you can do is arm yourself with patience and wait for your hair to grow.
And, as your hair grows out, you can clip the bleached ends to improve the general appearance and condition of your hair.
How much will you have to wait?
Well, the answer is – months. Hair grows at a pace of half an inch per month.
So, for instance, if your hair was around 12 inches long before you bleached it, it could take up to two years to get rid of bleached hair, assuming that your hair grows around half an inch every month.
A few strategies might help you survive this long period as you wait for your hair to grow.
Related Read: How To Fix Uneven Bleached Hair?

Get A Balayage
The first step is to have your colorist apply blonde, brown, or reddish balayage highlights or lowlights based on the desired look. Hand-painted tones will assist the natural color in your roots in merging effortlessly with the rest of your dyed hair.
If you’re searching for a low-maintenance way to restore your hair to its original color, this might be the one for you.
It will undoubtedly take considerably longer if you start bleaching at the roots. You might be able to complete your balayage within a year.

Hair Dyes
If you don’t like the balayage look, you may keep your hair tidy by using hair colors or toners to conceal the growth.
Choose a tone that’s as near to your original hair color as possible. That’s the shortest solution if you’re afraid that growing out your bleached hair will take too long.
However, you should know that this hue will not stick around for long. It will brighten with regular washing, resulting in an unnatural appearance.
The correct procedure is to pre-pigment the bleached areas so that the hair color retains better and the pigments remain longer.
Read Also: Can You Perm Bleached Hair?

Trim Your Hair Regularly
Going for a haircut is the easiest way to remove bleach from your hair. It’s very apparent when you consider it, and the shorter you go, the less growing out is necessary.
As with the initial point, wait for at least two inches of growth before going to the salon. Also, cut the ends of your hair once a month to eliminate bleached hair, one layer at a time.
You must maintain your hair fresh – especially the ends that have been over-processed.

Hair Supplements
You can’t expect your hair to look its best if you don’t eat nutritious foods. So, start by changing your diet and including more healthy, fresh foods – and drink more water, too.
To top everything off, consider using hair supplements.
Vitamins like biotin can significantly help with hair development. Many who are currently doing the same thing as you – attempting to encourage faster hair growth – also see notable results with supplements containing a lot of iron.
Fish oil and vitamin D pills are also proven to promote healthy hair growth.
Before taking any dietary supplements, consult with your doctor first – especially if you have any health concerns or are taking any form of medicine.

Quality Hair Products
Stop using hair products that contain sulfates!
Sulfates, as you might know, are used to clear away extra oil, grime, and other not-so-delightful pollutants that your hair accumulates between washes. On that note, sulfates also remove the pigment molecules from your locks, causing your hair color to fade.
Your best bet is using shampoo and conditioner made for color-treated hair that doesn’t include sulfates. Oh, and make sure that you choose products that are quite hydrating, too.
On a similar note, you should avoid hair products containing alcohol. These items tend to cause moisture loss.
When possible, let the hair air dry and avoid using styling equipment – such as hair dryers – to prevent hair damage.
By avoiding excess damage to the ends, you may be able to grow your hair longer owing to less breakage. And that means you’ll get rid of bleached parts – and have healthy-looking hair!

Scalp Massaging
Massaging your scalp helps keep it from becoming tight, protects the hair follicles – and allows for better blood circulation and hair development.
There are various techniques to massage your scalp to encourage hair growth. Here are the two most important ones:
- Traditional scalp massage – Apply mild to medium pressure on your scalp using the fingers of both hands, moving in tiny circles. Work your way around your scalp, being sure to cover all regions. Massage your head for at least five minutes several times a day.
- Massage while shampooing your hair – Massage your hair products into your head for five minutes with your fingertips. Then, as usual, rinse your hair.

Coconut Oil Hair Mask
Coconut oil may also assist your hair due to its unique chemical composition – and using a hair mask is one of the finest methods to enrich your hair with coconut oil.
Here’s how to prepare and use this mask:
- To begin, moisten your hair using a spray bottle.
- Then, evenly distribute the warm coconut oil throughout your wet hair. You may apply the coconut oil in controllable chunks by parting your hair. That might assist in ensuring that every strand is covered.
- Apply more coconut oil to the driest regions of your hair (usually the ends) and less to the healthier parts (usually towards the scalp).
- Place a shower cap once you’ve treated all of your hair.
- Allow the mask to dry for one to two hours. Some people choose to leave it on their hair overnight for further conditioning.
- Rinse with warm water before applying shampoo and conditioner as usual.
For the best results, you should apply this mask once a week.

How Long Does Bleached Hair Last – Conclusion
So, let’s sum up what you’ve learned about how long does bleached hair last and what you can do in the meantime.
Unfortunately, bleached hair never returns to its natural state. The only thing you can do is wait for the new hair to grow.
The average amount of time you’ll have to wait for your bleached hair to grow out depends on how quickly your hair grows. On average, you’re looking at around 0.5 inches every month.
Clipping off the bleached, fragile ends can help it grow faster. That said, frequent trims can also assist if you don’t want to change your look and go for a shorter haircut and are willing to wait a bit longer.
Remember that bleached hair is weak. So, if you want to color it again to smooth things out and leave your bleach days behind, consult with your hairdresser to guarantee that you won’t have any more hair catastrophes.