There’s truly nothing worse than walking out of the hair salon unhappy.

But guess what? It happens—especially when bleach is involved. If you’re suffering from a bad bleach job and have brittle, dead hair that you don’t know how to bring back to life, you’ve come to the right place. We sat down with Trace Henningsen, celebrity hairstylist and Leonor Greyl ambassador, and she gave us the absolute best advice for nurturing bleached hair in the interview, below.

Sweety High: Is there a difference between bleaching and highlighting hair?

Trace Henningsen: There is a major difference between bleach and highlighting. Bleach can be on- or off-scalp application, and if you put off-scalp bleach on your scalp, you can get third-degree burns, which can be hazardous to your health. Highlighting hair with bleach is very popular, but it is not always the case that it is needed. I suggest if you are going to go light to stay within two shades of your natural hair color. This will best complement and elevate your look.

(via Shutterstock)

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SH: What should we do after a bad bleach job?

TH: A bad bleach job can be traumatizing as it can melt off your hair, and the maintenance to get it back on track can take time and be pricey. Cutting off the majority of the damaged hair is the most cost-efficient, but if you are trying to keep on to your long mane, then a great repair product is needed.

SH: What products do you recommend using to bring bleached hair back to life?

TH: My go-to is the Leonor Greyl SOS Very Damaged Hair Treatment Collection ($344.50). This heroic SOS Collection features our most exclusive treatments for damaged hair, leaving locks instantly softer, glossier and easier to style than ever before. For exceptional results, Leonor Greyl infuses each product with naturally hydrating and protective plant extracts and oils rich in vitamins C, B and E, omegas and antioxidants, leaving your hair ultra-hydrated while banishing everything brittle, frizzy and dull.

(via Leonor Greyl)

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SH: Are there any things we absolutely shouldn’t do when dealing with damaged hair?

TH: Applying hot tools, blow drying less and letting your hair dry naturally. If you are going to apply heat, make sure you have a great heat protectant in your hair. Lait Luminescence ($55) by Leonor Greyl conditions and protects. It’s infused with Moringa Proteins, Mongongo Oil and Karanja Oil for shine. This is best applied on damp, clean hair. When you have downtime, you can use hydrating oils like L’Huile de Leonor Greyl ($60) to keep the ends hydrated, or do an intense repair masque like Leonor Greyl’s Masque Quintessence ($147).

SH: How long will it take for our hair to be back to normal?

TH: On average, hair grows at a rate of about half an inch per month, or six inches per year. Each hair on your head grows from an individual follicle. At the base of the follicle is the bulb from which new hair grows. To get it back to normal, it will depend on how long your hair is and what area is damaged. If the ends are more damaged, you can easily cut them off to the healthy part, which will result in a quick change for the best. If you are trying to hold on to the length that is very dry and brittle, it will be a long road to change as your ends will need a lot of TLC.

(via Shutterstock)

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SH: Is there anything else we should know?

TH: Bleaching your hair can look cool, but can also be very high maintenance, depending on how blonde you want to be. If you are looking to be a platinum blonde, you will need to bleach your hair every three to four weeks for the upkeep. When dealing with my clients and what their hair goals are, I always look at their lifestyle and if it is sustainable for them and the integrity of the hair. Once your hair is damaged, it can be a long road to recovery. Healthy hair is always trending, so don’t forget it is the one accessory you wear every day!

Want to have the cutest hair ever? Look HERE for the nine winter 2022 hair trends to look forward to.

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Suffering From a Bad Bleach Dye Job? Here's How to Bring Your Hair Back to Life

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