Can You Bleach Hair Twice In One Day? You Asked, We Answered!

If you’re wondering, can you bleach hair twice in one day?

The answer is yes! With some preparation and precautions, it’s possible to lighten your locks more than once.

But there are some things you need to know first to make sure you don’t damage your locks forever.

There are many reasons why people want lighter locks – to add highlights, remove color or to just try out a whole new do – but there are also many ways of going about it.

Some methods work better than others, and some can be dangerous or damaging if not done correctly.

That’s where we come in – we know everything there is to know about bleaching hair so you don’t have to worry anymore!

Keep reading for all the answers to the hair burning questions!

Can you bleach hair twice?

The answer is yes – you can bleach your hair multiple times in one day.

However, there are a few things you should keep in mind before you take the plunge.

First of all, bleaching your hair can be damaging, so it’s important to use a good quality conditioner to keep your locks healthy.

Secondly, each time you bleach your hair, it will become lighter and lighter, so if you’re hoping to achieve a specific shade, you’ll need to be patient.

And finally, if you’re bleaching your hair at home, it’s important to follow the instructions carefully – otherwise, you could end up with some unwanted results!

What is hair bleach?

Hair bleach, also referred to as a lightening product, is a powder or cream that contains hydrogen peroxide combined with ammonia and other additives.

When bleach is mixed with developer and applied to you hair, the alkaline mixture breaks apart melanin (pigment molecules) from within the cortex of your hair shaft.

The change in chemical structure causes the color of the dye molecules to change and be removed, and voila — new lighter strands!

can you bleach hair twice in one day Instagram post


Does bleach damage your hair?

Yes, the bleaching process damages your hair by stripping away natural oils and moisture.

Over time, repeated bleaching can lead to breakage, brittleness and split ends. It also fades color quickly, which means you must re-dye your strands more often.

A bleach bath is a gentler technique used to lighten hair in one application.

It simply involves mixing your favourite shampoo with bleach powder, applying the mixture throughout damp strands and allowing it to process without heat for longer periods of time.

What is double bleaching?

Double bleaching refers to lifting out stubborn stains on blonde or pre-lightened hair by adding a second round of bleach to achieve lighter results.

Depending on your desired result, you may choose to do this over two applications with a day in between (known as split processing), or back-to-back with minimal time in between (referred to as “stacked” processing).

Although you can go through it twice in one day, it is a good idea to wait at least 48 hours before applying the second round of bleach.

This allows your hair time to recover from the first round and prepare for another chemical process, which further compromises the integrity of your strands.

Is it okay to bleach already bleached hair?

Yes, it is okay to bleach already bleached hair.

If your hair is bleached beyond the desired level or you are unhappy with the color, it’s time to touch up!

Hair that has been over-processed can be toned or redyed slightly darker to tone down brassiness.

If you’re trying to go ultra white-blonde like icy blonde platinum or ash blonde with highlights, it’s likely something you’ll just have to do!

platinum blonde icy white hair instagram

Can I bleach hair twice in one day?

Yes, you can indeed. But keep in mind that bleaching twice in one day can damage your hair.

Split processing (applying bleach twice with 24-hour rest) takes less time than stacked processing (applying bleach more than once).

But both methods increase the likelihood of breakage and dryness.

Split processing is even more risky because more strands are exposed to these chemicals over a longer period of time.

How many times can you bleach already bleached hair?

You can process your hair up to three times, but it depends on how much damage you are willing to put into your hair! You don’t want to bleach your hair too often.

We recommend that you do not perform this process more than 2-3 times. It can fry and melt your hair!

Top tips for safe hair bleaching.

  • Wash your hair two days before applying the first application. This will give your hair some time to protect itself from the harsh bleaching process with its own natural oils.
  • When applying the formula, ensure that it is mixed thoroughly and evenly.
  • You can apply bleach to wet hair or dry hair. It will process faster on wet hair.
  • Use a really good quality conditioning mask to strengthen and repair hair before and after bleaching.
  • Don’t leave bleach in your hair for longer than required.    
  • Ensure you add toner after the bleaching process to prevent your hair from looking orange/yellow.

Should I bleach my hair again if it turned orange?

If it turned orange, you may have used too much developer.

Your natural hair color or previous tint might have been very dark (dark hair is hard to bleach) and the amount you used was not enough to lift your hair to a lighter color.

Make sure you use at least a level 10 developer for each application.

Should I tone my hair after bleaching?

We always recommend using a toner after bleaching – this will neutralize any yellow or brassy tones left behind and give your locks an extra cool boost of brightness!

toned blonde hair ash blonde instagram post

How to care for bleached hair.

Bleached hair tends to come in with a unique set of needs, but luckily there are some easy-to-follow tips and tricks for bleached hair that can help keep your soft, silky tresses looking fabulous.

The first and most important step is to purchase special shampoo and conditioner meant specifically for bleached hair.

Other helpful techniques include using a product like leave-in conditioner or oils to add extra softness and shine.

Scheduled in deep conditioning treatments once a week, cover up when out in the sun, and avoiding styling tools with too much heat.

Lastly, use a good toning, purple shampoo to neutralize any unwanted brassiness and keep warm yellow and orange tones at bay.

Before you know it, your bleached hair will be looking luxurious!

Parting words

So there you have it friends!

Bleach is a very harsh chemical and should not be used more than once in a 24-hour period.

Serious damage can occur to the hair if it is applied more than once in a day. This includes breakage or severe damage that may cause permanent color loss or your hair not being to take hair dye so well.

It’s best to wait 2 days before applying it again, this will allow your hair time to recover from the previous treatment.

We hope this guide has given you everything you need to know to bleach your hair with confidence! Good luck!

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Nicola Freeman

Creative Director & Owner

With over two decades of passionate hair dyeing experience, I've experimented with nearly every shade imaginable. My journey began long before blogging; as an award-winning copywriter in London and New York, I shaped narratives for iconic brands. However, when friends sought advice during Covid for at-home hair dyeing, I realized my true calling. Beyond being your hair color expert, I'm a mom of two girls, wife to artist Tony, and an avid soccer player!