Hair washed by mistake before bleaching, what next?
Did you know that about 30% of women change their hair color? Bleaching is one of the most common ways to change your hair color. And this is also one of the most harmful ways. Hence it requires precautions to make the process safer
It is better not to wash the hair before bleaching. However, it is not serious if you did it by mistake.
So if you are looking for the answer toWhat if I accidentally washed my hair before bleaching?Here’s everything you need to know about bleaching your hair and when to wash it.
What can happen if you wash your hair before bleaching?
There are both advantages and disadvantages to washing your hair before bleaching. However, it is best to avoid washing your hair before you start bleaching.
Bleach is a harsh chemical that can cause serious damage to your skin. Small amounts won’t harm you unless swallowed, but skin irritation is a guarantee with bleach.
Bleach is corrosive enough to eat through metals, burn your skin and even blind you. Above all, never swallow any bleach under any circumstances.
With such a strong chemical, protection is essential. Your skin and hair produce oils that can help protect against foreign substances, including bleach. This oil is the main reason you shouldn’t wash your hair too often, as the oil helps keep the skin safe.
However, too much oil is not good. This can cause skin irritation, dandruff or clogged pores. But when it comes to bleaching your hair, oil is protective. Washing your hair before bleaching removes this protective oil from your scalp and hair.

When the bleach touches your scalp then it will cause immediate irritation. The longer the bleach sits on your scalp, the more damage it can cause to your skin. In severe cases this can cause significant damage which can also damage your hair.
All in all, it is much better to bleach your hair without washing it first. The protective oils can prevent the bleach from harming you while you wash your hair.
If you wash your hair beforehand, be careful while bleaching your hair to minimize its contact with your skin.
How long to wait for bleaching after washing the hair?
Your waiting time after washing and before bleaching will vary depending on your hair and scalp type, although it can average between 24 hours and 3 days.
It is recommended to wait at least two days and three days if possible. For most people, two days is enough to build up the protective oils you’ll need.
If in doubt, consider contacting a local hair expert and see what they think would be best. That way, you can ensure you’re getting an expert opinion instead of winging it.
“I accidentally washed my hair before bleaching” – what to do?

If you understood,Oh no, I accidentally washed my hair before bleaching,” and wondering what to do in this situation, let’s take a closer look at your options.
To get started, start by asking yourself the following questions:
- Can you wait before bleaching?
- Do you need to bleach today?
Wait before bleaching
If you washed your hair, you should wait a few days before you start bleaching. On average, it is recommended to wait at least two days. For most people, two days is enough to build up the protective oils you’ll need to prevent irritation.
However, most will suggest waiting at least three days, and others will recommend waiting just one day before bleaching the hair.
In conclusion, there is no set time for how long you should wait. It is best to wait at least 24 hours, but it is usually recommended to wait longer.
If you planned to bleach today but are not in a hurry, it is better to just wait.
If you can, wait at least a day and see if your scalp feels oily enough to bleach your hair. If not, wait another day. You can always go to a local hair salon and have them bleach your hair too if you prefer.
Need to whiten today?
It is best to wait a day or two before bleaching your hair if you have just washed it. However, you may be styling your hair for an event.
If you feel the need to bleach your hair anyway, exercise a little caution and know the effects of hair loss.
You will likely experience more scalp irritation than usual. You may also find that your skin burns, which indicates that the bleach has been sitting on your skin for too long.
Be careful when bleaching your hair, and avoid putting the chemical near your scalp. Use a heavy oil (coconut or olive) a few hours before bleaching and let it sit to nourish your strands. Be sure to use a quality bleach and low volume developer to keep your hair safe.
Things to avoid before whitening
There is more to avoid than washing your hair. We won’t include hair washing on this list, but know that it’s the most important thing to avoid. Otherwise, be sure to avoid these three things.
Heat

Heat can cause significant damage to your hair. The heat may weaken your hair, making it more brittle when the bleach is applied.
Heat can cause hair to split, break or dry out. Once this happens, your new and good bleached highlights can turn into spots of dead hair.
Avoid using heat styling tools like flat irons for at least a week. This can help make sure you don’t suffer from depigmentation.
dirt

It’s better not to wash your hair, but that doesn’t mean you want it dirty. Using shampoo or conditioner the night before you bleach your hair is not allowed, but that doesn’t mean your hair should have dirt or other debris in it.
Avoid doing too much outside if you can, as this will cause dirt and airborne material to get into your hair. If you can, spend a day or two before bleaching your hair indoors and without much effort. This way, you avoid dirt, dust and sweat in your hair during bleaching.
hair oil

We don’t mean the oils we told you to preserve! Your skin naturally produces oil, but there are other oils you may be putting into your hair.
It is common to put leave-in conditioners and shampoos, or styling oils in your hair. However, these can have a drastically negative effect if they are in your hair during bleaching.
Certain oils will prevent your bleach from adhering to your hair. This condition may cause uneven and lackluster whitening. And worst of all, you may not be able to fix the bad bleach job without significantly damaging your hair.
Others can cause your bleach to do more damage to your hair on contact. Certain oils may react negatively with the bleach, making it harder on your hair.
Overall, try to avoid using any products on your hair before bleaching. Shampoo and condition a few days in advance, but avoid oils, dyes, leave-in conditioners, and similar products. Once your hair is bleached, you can safely go back to these products.
So what should you do if you washed your hair before bleaching?
Washing your hair before bleaching removes your skin’s protective oils. As a result, you significantly increase the risk of damage or irritation to your skin and hair.
If you’ve already washed your hair, consider waiting one to three days for your skin to produce more protective oils. If waiting is not an option, you can bleach your hair with extra care or seek out a professional hairstylist.