What should you know about breakage from bleaching hair?

Bleach chemistry lifts the hair cuticle and changes internal bonds so pigment can be removed. Repeated lightening, overlapping product on already-bleached lengths, heat and rough handling can leave the fibre porous, dry and less flexible. Breakage produces shorter pieces, split ends, uneven length and small hairs of different sizes. Hair shedding from the root is different: a full-length strand may have a bulb at one end. Scalp pain, crusting, scaling or smooth areas without visible stubble point to a scalp problem rather than simple fibre damage.

Pause bleaching, relaxing and other chemical processing until the hair is stronger. Ask a trusted stylist to avoid overlapping lightener and to assess the scalp before another service. Detangle slowly with conditioner and a wide-tooth comb, blot rather than rub with a towel, and limit high heat and tight hairstyles. Use a gentle shampoo, a conditioning treatment and leave-in protection suited to your hair type. Trim split ends when useful, but remember that trimming cannot repair damage higher up the shaft. Keep track of whether the problem is snapping, root shedding or both.

Arrange an assessment for scalp burning that persists, blisters, sores, marked redness, crusting, severe itch or new patches of reduced density. Seek advice when shedding from the root continues, the hairline is receding, or breakage does not ease after stopping chemical stress. A clinician can examine the scalp and distinguish fibre damage from conditions such as scalp ringworm or traction alopecia.

Ask whether the strands are breaking or shedding, whether the scalp barrier is irritated, and which styling or chemical steps should pause. Ask how to recognise infection, whether a prescription treatment is needed, and when a colour service could be reconsidered safely.