If you maintain a bleach-blonde hairstyle, you’re likely familiar with one of the unfortunate tradeoffs of this head-turning look: hair damage. “The process of bleaching hair can strip away the natural oils and proteins that keep your hair looking shiny and healthy. Bleach works in a two-step process where an alkaline substance breaks open the hair cuticles and an oxidizing substance gets in and degrades the melanin in the hair, leaving it ‘bleached,’” says LovelySkin CEO Dr. Joel Schlessinger, board-certified dermatologist, Mohs surgeon and cosmetic surgeon. “This damage might cause your hair to look dull and tangle more easily.” Follow along to learn more about the best hair care for bleached hair, including:

• How to repair bleached damaged hair

• How to fix split ends from bleached hair

• The best hair masks for bleached hair

How to repair bleached, damaged hair

If your bleached hair looks dull and is harder to manage, various hair care products help restore shine and manageability. Hair oils such as argan oil can help improve softness and vibrancy, while hair masks (more on them below) used once or twice a week can help improve your hair’s moisture level as well as reduce brassiness, which is a common complaint after bleaching.

You can also minimize damage to your hair in the future with a few lifestyle changes. “Heat styling can also cause further damage to hair, so I recommend using it sparingly or using a heat protectant if you do need to use a blow dryer or other heat tools,” Dr. Joel Schlessinger says.

We also recommend visiting a professional hair stylist rather than attempting to DIY at home. “Bleaching your hair is a tricky process, and seeing a professional can help minimize the damage to your hair,” Dr. Joel Schlessinger. “In inexperienced hands, hair bleach can also cause scalp irritation or chemical burns on the skin. For those who have existing scalp issues, it can further aggravate those problems and even become infected.”

How to fix split ends from bleached hair

Because the bleaching process can weaken hair’s structure, your strands will be more vulnerable to breakage from everyday tasks like brushing, combing or wearing your hair in a ponytail or other updo. Once you have split ends, the only way to fix them is to get a fresh trim.

After you’ve eliminated split ends with a haircut, you can prevent them from recurring with a hair-repair treatment, like OLAPLEX No. 8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask. “This mask as well as many other OLAPLEX products contains Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate, a patented ingredient that repairs the broken disulfide bonds in hair that contribute to dryness and brittle texture,” Dr. Joel Schlessinger says. This hair mask also includes ceramides and panthenol to help promote and retain moisture.

The best hair masks for bleached hair

Adding a hair mask into your routine is a low-maintenance way to give your platinum tresses some much-needed TLC. Here are a few of our favorite hair masks for bleached hair.

PHYTO Purple No Yellow Repair Mask

French hair care brand PHYTO specializes in plant-based formulas that improve the health and appearance of hair. Using jojoba seed oil, shea butter and vitamin E, this rejuvenating mask helps repair and protect hair that’s been weakened by the bleaching process. It also contains purple pigments to help counteract brassiness, so your color looks radiant and revived.

Pureology Hydrate Superfood Treatment

This moisturizing hair mask leaves dry, damaged hair looking smoother and shinier thanks to avocado and coconut oils and sunflower seed extract. It was created with color-treated hair in mind and helps reduce frizz and improve manageability. Pureology is known for its scents, and we love this mask’s superfood smoothie-inspired scent of leafy greens, citrus and pineapple.

Redken Color Extend Blondage Express Anti-Brass Mask

This rich, luxurious mask is formulated specifically to support the needs of bleached hair. Purple pigments counteract unwanted orange and yellow tones while a blend of deep conditioners helps detangle dry, damaged hair, leaving it feeling softer to the touch.

Philip B. Weightless Volumizing Hair Masque

If your bleached hair is also lacking in volume, you’ll love this nourishing hair treatment. It helps add body to limp hair with a blend of conditioning ingredients and plant-derived proteins. After applying it to wet hair, you can rinse after fifteen minutes or choose to leave it on overnight for a deeper conditioning treatment.

Ouidad Moisture Lock Ultra-Nourishing Intense Hydrating Mask

If you’re looking to restore shine and softness to your bleach-blonde curls, look no further than this hydrating hair mask from curl-centric brand Ouidad. It combines the strand-smoothing powers of argan oil with nourishing macadamia, olive and sunflower seed oils to help reduce frizz and boost shine. Its fragrance features notes of jasmine, lavender, amber, musk and citrus.

ColorProof Weekly Blonde Masque

If you’ve recently bleached your hair and are dealing with brassiness, dryness and lack of volume, this multitasking mask is formulated to address all three concerns. Deep violet pigments counteract unwanted brassy tones while hydrating glycerin and sunflower seed oil help give dry, damaged hair a glossy finish. It also contains biotin, a form of vitamin H, to help your mane look fuller and healthier.

Once you’ve treated your hair to a restorative mask, consider protecting your efforts by sleeping on a silk pillowcase or wearing a silk hair cap overnight. Either can help prevent future breakage and frizz by reducing friction between your hair and your pillowcase while you sleep.

Now that you know all about the best hair care for bleached hair, you can browse other hair care topics on the LovelySkin Blog, including the best hair growth supplements and how to make your salon hair color last longer.