Hair Color

Double Trouble: Can You Bleach Your Hair Twice In One Day?

Can you bleach hair twice in one day? Uncover the facts from fiction.


Written by Shayonee Dasgupta

On Dec 19, 2023 – 6 minutes read

Can You Bleach Your Hair Twice In One Day

Dyeing hair is a trend that has lasted for years. But to experience the full intensity of the color, lightening or bleaching your hair strands is important, especially if you have darker hair. Hair color without bleach doesn’t quite have the same impact. 

But bleaching is a stressful process for your hair. In fact, if applied incorrectly, bleach can damage your damp hair.

Want to bleach your hair to stay up to date with coloring and highlighting trends? Here’s the ultimate guide that throws light on a key aspect: can you bleach your hair twice in one day?

Understanding The Mechanism Of Hair Bleaching

Hair Bleaching

Bleaching involves using an oxidizing agent to strip the natural color of the hair strands. 

Once you bleach black hair, it acts on the melanin, a pigment that is responsible for lending the dark color. There are two types of melanin pigments: eumelanin which adds a black color, and pheomelanin, which adds a reddish hue. 

Bleach targets and oxidizes eumelanin and increases the intensity of pheomelanin. That’s why anyone with black hair has a reddish-orange hue post-bleach. If you leave the bleach longer, more melanin gets removed, resulting in a much lighter shade or a higher lift. 

Ammonia and Hydrogen Peroxide are popular bleaching agents.

Is Hair Bleaching Twice A Day A Good Idea?

Bleaching hair twice in one day is strongly discouraged due to potential stress and damage. For first-timers, a single session suffices for dyeing preparation.

 If a second bleaching is needed, wait at least 2 months to prioritize hair recovery. Repeated bleaching may result in a lighter base but risks frazzled and fragile strands. 

Can You Bleach Your Hair Twice In One Day Without Side Effects?

Common risks associated with bleaching hair twice in 24 hours include:

  • Change in hair texture
  • Increased porosity(1)
  • Brittle and dry ends
  • Redness and irritation on the scalp(2)
  • Scalp burns

How Long Should You Wait Before Bleaching Again?

how to bleach hair twice in one day safely

Maintain at least a 4 to 6-week gap before opting for another bleaching session. This window helps your hair to combat the negative effects of bleaching and restore the lost moisture.

The longer you wait, the better it is for your hair. Follow a consistent oiling and conditioning routine to help your hair be at its healthiest before it comes in contact with bleach a second time. 

Bleaching too frequently results in over-processed hair that breaks too quickly as the hair shaft doesn’t get any room to breathe or heal. 

How Many Times Can You Bleach Already Bleached Hair?

Technically, there is no limit on how many times can you bleach your hair that’s been bleached already.

However, that doesn’t automatically translate into a free pass to bleach your hair whenever you want to. Can you bleach your hair two times in a row? You can but you shouldn’t. 

Overbleaching can make your hair more fragile and prone to frizz. Ideally, wait for 4 to 6 weeks before bleaching your hair again. When you rebleach, only focus on the newly grown hair strands or your roots. Don’t apply bleach to your full head as that would mean exposing already bleached strands to more bleach, damaging them further. How to bleach hair twice in one day safely? It is best if you don’t!

How To Bleach Your Hair Safely? 

  • Maintain a  4 to 6 weeks gap between bleaching sessions
  • Choose the right quality products and read the instructions carefully
  • Wash your hair with a mild shampoo post-bleaching
  • Schedule regular trims to maintain vibrancy

How To Bleach Hair At Home: Check Out The Best Products 

Learn the art of how to bleach hair at home with confidence by checking out the best products to achieve stunning results

Clairol Professional BW2 Lightener For Hair Highlights

Clairol Professional BW2 Lightener For Hair Highlights

Price: USD 18.67

Features

  • Can be used for subtle-to-dramatic off-the-scalp lightening services
  • Available in tub for multiple applications as well as single-use sachet
  • Gentle on your hair

Pros and Cons

  1. Easy on your pocket
  2. Dust free 
  1. Doesn’t come with a developer 
  2. The smell is really strong
Buy Now

L’Oreal Super Oreal Blanc Professional Powder Bleach Concentrated

L'Oreal Super Oreal Blanc Professional Powder Bleach Concentrated

Price: USD 4.25 per sachet

Features

  • Becomes an easy-to-use paste
  • Non-drip formula

Pros and Cons

  1. Inexpensive 
  2. Dust free 
  1. No developer provided
Buy Now

Wella Multi Blonde Powder Lightener for Women

Wella Multi Blonde Powder Lightener for Women

Price: USD 34

Features

  • Great for targeting yellow, orange, and brassy tones.
  • Provides lift up to level 7 without using too much hydrogen peroxide
  • Best for balayage, ombré color, or all-over lightening

Pros and Cons

  1. Affordable
  2. Super gentle formula hair colorists recommend
  1. No developer provided
Buy Now

Tips For Safe Hair Bleaching

  • Before applying bleach to your full head, test a few strands to understand how your hair reacts.
  • Choose high-quality products.
  • Invest in the right hair care products to care for bleached hair.
  • Go for deep conditioning every 4 to 6 weeks. 

What Is Double Bleaching?

Double Bleaching

Double bleaching refers to bleaching your hair twice on the same day. As tempting as it may sound, hair experts across the globe believe this is a dangerous practice. It can damage your hair irreparably and make it more fragile. 

How To Care For Bleached Hair?

Here are some handy tips to take care of bleached hair:

  • Don’t skip the conditioner: Bleaching reduces the moisture and protein content of your hair. This makes it extra fragile and prone to dryness. Be generous with conditioning your hair and pay special attention to the ends. This is important for restoring shine and strength.
  • Limit the usage of heat: A gorgeous blowout looks jaw-droppingly spectacular but it comes at a huge cost. Heat is not the kind of friend you would like your bleached hair to hang out with. Since bleached hair is already fragile and delicate, exposing it to more heat isn’t helpful. In fact, it can add to the dryness. If heat styling tools are an unavoidable part of your styling routine, don’t skimp on applying heat protection spray. 
  • Try not to wash too frequently: Bleached hair is usually porous. Washing too frequently can increase porosity and make it more prone to frizz and breakage. Hair experts recommend washing it less often, so the natural hair oils can nourish and protect the strands. 

FAQs

1. How soon can I bleach my hair again to fix it?

Wait for at least two to three weeks before bleaching your hair again to fix any mishaps.

2. Is it okay to dye unevenly bleached hair without bleaching it twice in one day?

Usually, it is safe to dye unevenly bleached hair without bleaching it again on the same day.

3. How often can you bleach your hair?

Don’t bleach your hair more than once every four to eight weeks.

4. Should I bleach my hair again if it turns orange?

Yes, you should tone it to neutralize the orange. Otherwise, the final color may turn out to be pretty brassy.

5. How do you know if your hair has been damaged by bleach?

The telltale signs include dryness, breakage, and excessive frizz.

6. Is it okay to bleach already bleached hair?

Bleaching already bleached hair can result in hair damage.

7. Why is my hair still yellow after toner?

If the toner is insufficient or the bleach fails to lift your hair properly, it results in a yellowish tinge.

8. Should you tone your hair after the bleaching process?

Toning is essential for ensuring the desired intensity of color and eliminating unwanted tones. 

Conclusion

To sum up — can you bleach your hair twice in one day? You shouldn’t! Whether you are opting for French Balayage or global coloring, bleaching your hair takes your hair color to the next level. But even then too much bleach, especially on the same day, severely compromises your hair health. 

  1. National Library of Medicine. (n.d). True porosity measurement of hair. [Online] Available at:

    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18818850/
  2. Healthdirect. (n.d). Itchy scalp. [Online] Available at:

    https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/itchy-scalp

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shayonee

Shayonee is a dedicated writer and mental health advocate whose research-driven approach allows her to deliver well-informed, evidence-based content on diverse aspects of women’s health and lifestyle.

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