Scab After Bleaching Hair: What to Do

Most bleaching units lift hair by altering the pH level of the hair strands to a high of 8.5-9.5. Usually, the pH level on your skin and hair hovers around 4.5-5. When you apply a substance on your skin as high as 9.5, you will essentially cause a chemical burn. Bleaching kits are particularly dangerous, because the moisture in the cream delays the inflammatory response, allowing the chemical to work for longer on the skin and hair before you feel the excruciating pain. Usually, a strong tingle is a sign that it is too late - and now you have burn mark that will eventually scab.

If you noticed that you have a chemical burn, the best thing to do is simply leave it alone. Try not to use heavily scented shampoos, conditioners, and hair product. Do not manipulate the area or touch the chemical burn. This will help reduce the chance of scarring. An ice pack immediately after the injury will help with swelling from the gnarly burn.

Scabs After Bleaching Hair - What to Do?



One of the best things that I have used in the past for any burn mark is using refrigerated castor oil. There are a few reasons why I use castor oil whenever I have a chemical burn from bleaching:

1. Castor oil is thick and will stay in place. Scabs after bleaching hair will usually occur around the hairline. You do not want to apply a product that is going to slip and move around. Castor oil is thick and will stay in the areas that you've applied.

2. Castor oil mimics sebum. Castor oil's chemical makeup is similar to the sebum that you naturally produce on your skin. It is nourishing, and I also welcome the cooling sensation of the refrigerated castor oil immediately after applying it.

3. Castor oil helps reduce hyperpigmentation - better known as scarring. Castor oil is made up of vitamins that - when topically applied - has been known to help inhibit scarring tissue from forming a scab. Scabs are definitely smaller and not as obvious, with the skin healing quickly.