The 7 Best Products for Damaged and Bleached Hair in 2022 (2023)

Dealing with a lot of damage after bleaching your hair? Using one of these 7 products for damaged bleached hair can save your strands and start returning your hair to health, softness and shine.

If you're struggling with tears, limp, rubbery strands, hair tangled up like a straw, or very dry, frizzy hair after bleaching, there's hope!

Check out the best products for damaged bleached hair, from instant fixes that leave hair feeling smooth and shiny again, to intensive treatments that slowly rebuild bonds and repair damage caused by bleaching.

The best products for damaged bleached hair: myths or miracles?

Some people say that once your hair has been damaged by bleaching, no product in the world will physically repair those broken links and restore its strength, shine and softness. These people, it turns out, have never heard of the 7 products on our list.

In the vast world of hair care, there are 7 products that stand out as the best for damaged bleached hair and tons of knockoffs that are basically overpriced snake oil.

We turned to online hair care communities to find out which damage repair and hair preservation products really work and are best recommended for bleached hair emergencies.

The products we found are being hailed as "holy grail" products and real-life miracles by women who were on the verge of cutting it all off due to excessive bleaching.

One or more of these 7 products might be just what you need to save your over-processed strands.We found that there are, in fact, many "damage repair" products for bleached hair that fall squarely into the category of Myths.

Perhaps these weaker products might work for minimally damaged hair that just needs a little boost, but we were looking for truly miracle products that were strong and effective enough to make a big difference to weak, straw, or limp hair. wires

The products we've found are the best of the best when it comes to saving and restoring bleached hair to health. We'll share these products in a moment, but first, let's talk about what makes them so effective.

What's in the best products for damaged bleached hair?

Taking a look at the most effective ingredients in the most effective products for bleach-damaged hair will help you understand why some are better than others. Your hair needs hydrolyzed proteins, bond builders and moisture to start repairing this damage.

hydrolyzed protein

Your hair is mostly made up of proteins, specifically a protein called keratin. When you bleach or chemically process your hair,causes protein losswhich weakens your strands and leads to breakage or weak, elastic texture.

Adding protein back into your hair is one way to treat the damage caused by bleaching, but it's not as simple as using a homemade egg and yogurt mask.

You need a special hydrolyzed protein, which is chemically broken down into molecules small enough to physically penetrate and repair the hair shafts.Some of the best products for damaged bleached hair use hydrolyzed protein as an active ingredient.

Think of it as putty that fills in the holes left in your hair by the bleaching process. Hydrolyzed protein softens, strengthens and repairs damaged hair after just one use.

bond builders

Bond builders are another key ingredient you'll find in some of the best products for damaged bleached hair. Bond builders have a job: reconnecting broken disulfide bonds in hair damaged after bleaching or processing.

Not all title builders are created equal, and this is important to know up front. We've listed the options that work best below, but there are countless imitations that simply don't have the same effects.

True bond builders will look for the broken disulfide and hydrogen bonds in your damaged hair and reattach them to instantly improve the look and feel of your hair.

Products known as Olaplex and Brazilian Bond Builder (b3) are examples of bond strengthening products for damaged hair.

Moisture

You cannot fully repair and restore damaged hair to health without moisturizing! Moisture and protein go hand in hand, making your hair strong, shiny and soft again to minimize the damaged look and feel.

Dry, brittle strands that break easily and become stiff, like straw, can really benefit from the extra moisture. After bleaching your hair, infusing tons of hydration and moisture deep into your strands will help smooth and plump strands for a smooth, shiny feel.

It is worth noting that moisture should be a component of good post-bleaching care, but it is not enough on its own to repair damaged hair.

Deep conditioning after damaging hair can improve the feel of the hair, but it only coats the strands temporarily, does not repair broken links or inject protein deep into the damaged strands.

Still, it's an important piece of the puzzle and you can't go wrong adding a little more moisture and hydration to your hair when it's damaged.

The undisputed 7 best products for damaged bleached hair

Hydrolyzed protein, bond builders and hydration - these products pack the big guns and have all the essential ingredients needed to start repairing damaged hair.

We took part in online hair care communities on Reddit to find out which products are recommended most often and which women swear by to repair damaged hair after bleaching.

We love crowdsourcing information because these women don't get paid to endorse or promote specific products; they're actually sharing the ones that worked for them and gave them the best results.

Without further ado, these are the 7 holy grail products you must try. Get to know each one and how it works below!

1. Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector

Olaplex is the absolute best product for damaged bleached hair. They literally patented the original bond building formula to repair damaged hair.

Every frantic post asking for help with rubbery, straw-like or super dry hair after bleaching was filled with glowing recommendations for Olaplex products, specifically Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3.The "magic" ingredient in Olaplex No. 3 is bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate.

It's patented, so no other product will work exactly like Olaplex. This ingredient re-establishes the broken bonds in damaged hair so that it is soft, shiny and healthy again after a particularly damaging bleaching session.

comprehereat $30 it's not cheap, but it's way better than cutting all the damage off and starting over with a pixie cut you weren't planning on. That's what people said about Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3.

“Try Olaplex #3. I had black box dyed hair and bleached it 3 times in 3 weeks and it was so damaged it was falling out. It has transformed my hair after using it just once. It's expensive, but it's worth it.”-User of HaircareScience Aloevera-no

“Olaplex No.3, castor oil or coconut oil hair masks 2-3 times a week. Olaplex works best but is the most expensive.”-User of HaircareScience Aalliecat

“Start with Olaplex! Be generous when using it, you cannot "overdo it". It's cheap when you compare the results to the $28-a-bottle salon treatments, which are supposed to last nearly a month with heavy use. Also get a good conditioner. I use Joico Moisture Recovery Treatment Balm. I have very curly and wavy bleached blonde hair.-User of HaircareScience Inp5539

You may also like:

• Can you leave Olaplex 3 overnight?
• How to use Olaplex hair products

2. Aphogee Two-Step Protein Treatment

Weak, brittle, or rubbery/soft strands are a sign that your recent bleaching session has seriously damaged your hair. A good dose of building protein should do the trick, but you'll get the best results when using a 2-Step treatment for a few weeks, like Aphogee 2-Step Protein Treatment.

Aphogee's 2-Step System is a serious product made for severely damaged hair. It works by encapsulating the hair in a hard protein shell to penetrate deep into each strand and replenish proteins lost during the bleaching process.

It is good for stopping breakage and making hair stronger and softer.Hydrolyzed animal protein (definitely not vegan) and magnesium are the magic ingredients here.

You apply the treatment all over, gently comb to distribute it evenly, and leave your hair perfectly still and pristine (this is important) before blow-drying. Rinse and reveal your healthiest strands!

You can buy it here for around $29. People love this product and how powerful it is in repairing very damaged hair. You can use it every 3-6 weeks depending on how much protein loss you've had. That's what people are saying about the Aphogee 2-Step System.

“The Aphogee Two Step Protein Treatment saved my hair and I didn't have to cut it. It's like he held it unnaturally together for about 3 weeks. I would grab the bottles and do this every time it started to get tangled.”HaircareScience user WhiskeyJane45

“I went from curly red to platinum blonde and then back to red, using Aphogee protein treatment, Olaplex and deep conditioner. After 6 months, I'm finally getting my curls back and looking healthy."Hair CareScientist User TipsyPenguin2011

“Aphogee Two Step Protein Treatment for 10 minutes, remember NOT to touch your hair in any way during this process (research how to do it, probably the trickiest part).”-User HaircareScience P_light

3. K-18 Molecular Repair Leave-in Hair Mask

This is a favorite product for those in the know and it can repair, even reverse, the damage caused by discoloration in just 4 minutes. It's a tall order, but it's packed with effective proprietary ingredients that give it an edge.

Damage-repairing proteins and peptides are the secret sauce here. This hair mask contains the patented K18Peptide™ formula that infuses strengthening protein peptides deep into the cortex of damaged strands.

Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein helps fill in the gaps of protein loss during bleaching for soft, smooth hair.Buy it here for $29 and see how it completely transforms your damaged hair into a healthy, soft mane.

This is one of the most recommended products for bleach-damaged hair and is always at the top of the list for reversing the effects of over-processing.

“Look at the K-18. It is more repairing than Olaplex. It seems more expensive, but because it repairs the hair more completely, it's cheaper in the long run. Plus, you don't have to use a lot per app.”-HaircareScience User Honestly Respectful

“K-18 without conditioner or masks helped restore my hair's softness, shine and manageability! I'm on the 5th treatment out of the first 6 you have to do and I can easily run my fingers through my hair and there's a real softness there and the shine is back, not only in my roots but also in my lengths. 🇧🇷Sephora User Cantreadamap

“They are smaller in size than the K-18 and you literally probably only need a small [amount] at a time to see if it works for you. Follow the instructions for use, it also has details inside the box on how much you should use approximately according to the length and density of your hair, it's concentrate.”-HaircareScience User Me_oh_my

4. Kerastase Resistance Serum Therapist

Kérastase Resistance Serum Therapiste is one of the most recommended products to repair damaged hair after bleaching. This 2-part dual serum is dispensed from a pump that combines parts oil and cream that are designed to instantly improve the appearance of damaged hair.

It is formulated with hydrolyzed wheat proteins and a blend of amino acids (protein building blocks) to physically restore and strengthen damaged strands. It also contains moisturizing oils and creams that hydrate and add volume to the hair, leaving it soft and shiny.

Buy it here for $35. You only need a small amount: 1 pump for short hair or 2 pumps for long hair. That's what people are saying about Kerastase Resistance Serum for damaged hair.

“If your hair is damaged, I would recommend the Resistance [Kerastase] line. The shampoo, mask and serum along with Olaplex 3 really stopped my hair from falling out after bleaching from level 1/2 to level 5/6.”-User of HaircareScience Techybee3

“Heavy duty shampoo and conditioner – amazing for bleached, damaged and split-end hair. I felt like it really fixed my hair! I highly recommend all the products in this line for brittle/damaged hair, especially the dry primer, also called Ciment Thermique. It's astonishing."-User of Sephora Jupitermercury

“I have a few products for special occasions and I can say that Kérastase gives me the best hair I've ever had. The Masquintense for thick hair and the Résistance lines are incredible… I've tried Moroccanoil, K Pak, Absolut Repair, Orofluido and many others, but anything from Kérastase is on another level.”-User of HaircareScience Pushinglilliesx

5. Tratamento lamelar Redken Extreme Whitening Recovery

Instantly nourish hair damaged by bleaching with Redken's Rinse-Out Sheet Treatment. This ultra-hydrating treatment heats up on contact with the hair, infusing locks with deep, restorative hydration.

The main ingredient here is cica, also known as gotu kola or gotu kola. Theirproven to increase blood flowSo your hair gets a quick restoration with moisture, vitamins and minerals targeted directly to the scalp and strands.

This treatment rinses out and leaves hair supple, soft and shiny afterwards.Buy it here for $27 and get one step closer to healthy, repaired strands.

We have seen this product recommended again and again on popular online hair care forums and many have compared the results of using this entire product line (shampoo, conditioner, rinse, leave-in) with Olaplex.

“I recently purchased the Redken Bleach Recovery line (shampoo, lemallar water and after leave-in) and it has worked wonders on my bleached hair, much better than Olaplex in my opinion. It looks like it has never been bleached!”-User of HaircareScience Xxseraph

“Redken's bleach recovery line is excellent. Its anti-snap line can also help. Beware of over-proteining, which will also make the hair look dry, almost "hard" and brittle when the hair is wet and like straw, where it is difficult to pass a comb or brush without snagging.-User of HaircareScience ViciousValk

“I love Olaplex, but after my hair was recently ruined with bleach, I found Redken Extreme Bleach Recovery. They have a whole system to revive bleached/blonde hair. I was shocked when I saw how straight my hair was afterwards. And now it has a more natural curl and bounce. Highly recommended."-User of HaircareScience Kittykatwhit

6. Joico K-Pak Reconstructor Deep Penetrating Treatment

Strengthen, strengthen and rebuild damaged hair in 5 minutes with Joico K-Pak Reconstructor Treatment. This powerful product will leave damaged hair healthy and shiny after just one use, and not just because of the deeply hydrating conditioners.

This treatment contains hydrolyzed keratin, the same protein that makes up your strands, to fill in the gaps from protein loss during bleaching. It also contains amino acids and nourishing oils in the blend to imbue damaged strands with a moisture-restoring matrix that strengthens hair.

You apply it to wet hair for more than 5 minutes and rinse. You won't believe how soft and strong your hair is after just one use; keep using as many times as you like for even better results.

Buy it here for $38.50 - expensive but worth it for the instant results. People find this to be a real holy grail for damage repair and they find the full line of K-Pak products to be well worth the money.

“Joico has a K-Pak Reconstructive line that I really like. By far my favorite product for damaged hair is the Joico K-Pak Deep-Penetrating Reconstructor. It's like a super conditioner."-FancyFollicles User MollyConnollyxx

“Be sure to give your hair protein once a week as well as moisture. Joico K-Pak or the equivalent of Sally's Great Value products are known to help with what's left. (It will dry out your hair, however, so be sure to deep condition afterwards if you choose to buy it.)-User of FancyFollicles Katilea

“Joico K-Pak saved my hair after I went from a year or so from black to almost platinum.”FancyFollicles User Rlw0312

7. Brazilian Bond Build B3 Instant Restore & Protect Reconstrutor

Reconstruction of broken disulfide and hydrogen bonds in hair damaged by bleaching is essential to repair hair and keep it looking healthy and shiny. Brazilian Bond Build (B3) Instant Restore and Protect Reconstructor is one of the best and will instantly bring your mane back to normal.

Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein acts as a rebuilder to fill in protein gaps lost during the bleaching process. Moisturizing and moisturizing castor oil and seed oils nourish damaged strands to leave hair soft and healthy after a treatment.

You apply it from root to tip and let it sit for 5-10 minutes before rinsing to reveal the miracle that worked.

Buy it here for $36 to rebuild damaged hair ties. People swear by this product after severely damaging their hair with bleach and say it works after just one use.

“I really like the Brazilian system for building b3 titles. My hair was badly burned from the last bleach and I used the b3 conditioning shampoo and leave-in conditioner exclusively for a month and it helped."-User of HaircareScience Lasadgirl

“Olaplex, number 3, specifically, and it saves lives, but it's very expensive. A similar but slightly cheaper brand that I found seems to repair hair integrity equally well is Brazilian Bond Builder (B3). Personal preference, but you'll need one or the other.-User of HaircareScience Severedheads

“My hair feels really soft after one use of B3 so now I'm really happy because I was skeptical at first. I have very curly hair because I'm black, but this treatment helped me a lot."Sephora User Jazzmenkb

More tips to repair damaged bleached hair

Using the best products for damaged bleached hair is key, and you won't go far without them. But it's also important to take steps to change up your hair care routine and give your locks a little more love if you want to get back to healthy, smooth, shiny hair!

• Stop brushing, start combing your hair.A wide-toothed comb is essential for really damaged hair, as it creates less friction and friction in the strands when detangling. Use it with a light hand and don't force your way through tangles to avoid causing more breakage.
• Cuts some of the damage.It's not essential, but cutting off at least some of the damage is a good idea. Not only will you remove some of the knotty, soft, or brittle part, but you'll also be able to use less expensive products than necessary.repair the rest of the damage.
• Keep it hydrated.The treatments and protein products you'll be using to repair bleach damage can be drying, and the damage caused by over-processing can make your hair too porous (high porosity) And dry. Infuse lots of deep moisture with so many moisturizershair masksyconditioning productsAs you can. Wear a shower cap to retain body heat and make these products more effective.
• Sleep in silk or satin.Whether it's a satin/silk pillowcase or a cap to wrap and protect your hair, avoid cotton pillowcases that scratch while you sleep. Cotton creates friction that can lead to more breakage and tangling, so switch to silk or satin to prevent further hair damage after bleaching.
• Start lubricating the hair.Beating or oiling the hair is one of thoseTikTok hair trendsthis really works, and it's great for damaged hair. At night, cover your hair with agood hair oillike coconut, jojoba, argan, olive or grapeseed oil to lock in moisture and make it softer and shinier.
• Avoid reprocessing for a while.It might be tempting to dye your hair orbleach your hair againif your whitening session didn't give you the results you wanted. Don't! You'll need to wait at least 2 weeks before reprocessing your hair in any way (dyeing or bleaching), but it's smart to wait a lot longer. Try waiting a few months to give your hair time to fully recover from damage while using some of the best products for damaged bleached hair in this guide.

Start rebuilding strands with the best products for damaged bleached hair

There you have it: the absolute 7 best products for damaged bleached hair, period. From hair-smoothing protein treatments to bond builders that bind damaged strands together from the inside out, take heart: there's hope for severely bleach-damaged hair!

Yes, these miracle products are quite expensive. Yes, you will need to keep using them for the best results. But they're the undisputed champions when it comes to "fixing" bleach-damaged locks, and we think the cost is well worth it.

After all, how much is the health and length of your hair worth to you? Most of the products on this list cost between $30 and $40, which is a much more acceptable price than paying for a big chop when you weren't planning on doing it.

But hey, if you're itching to see how you'd look with oneshort hairlike a pixie or a short bob, now might be the ideal time to try it out! If not, grab one or a few of the products on this list and sigh a sigh of relief as you see your much healthier, smoother, and shinier results.