From embracing pink highlights at the tips to flaunting a blonde mane, every beauty experiment with hair requires careful bleaching.
Think about hair care after bleaching, mistakes to avoid, products to add to your cabinet, side effects, and more.
So, are you wondering how to bleach your hair the right way? Below, we've rounded up our latest beauty hacks on everything you should consider before deciding to bleach your hair at home.
What you should know before bleaching your hair.
Prepare hair beforehand for bleaching.
Hair bleaching is a complex chemical coloring technique that can damage the hair structure. The process begins with alkaline agents that open the hair cuticle, while oxidizing agents cause the degradation of melanin particles.
Melanin is a natural pigment in hair that determines its color. Additionally, the hydroxides and peroxides in this chemical treatment easily penetrate the hair cortex and cuticle, causing protein loss in the hair fiber.
Therefore, to avoid excessive damage, it is recommended to start preparing the hair well before applying the bleach. Here's what you can do: Hold off on heavy hair treatments for about three months before bleaching, as this process works best on strong, healthy/virgin hair.
Next, stop using heat to style your hair a week before bleaching to reduce the risk of hair damage.
Try not to bleach near the roots.
Research shows that if your hair and scalp are exposed to bleaching products for long periods of time, they can cause scalp burns.
Although these burns are usually superficial, they can lead to unexpected injuries or complications later on.
So, when bleaching your hair at home, try to keep the bleach color away from the scalp and avoid bleaching the hair near the roots.
So if you want to try a new hairstyle that requires bleaching close to the roots, it's best to consult a hair professional before starting bleaching at home.
Bleaching can change the natural texture of your hair.
Hair bleaching chemicals, such as hydrogen peroxide, persulfates, and alkalizing agents, can cause permanent damage to the hair fiber.
Because these chemicals cause the cuticles to open, they can become unmanageable, causing frizz, frizz, and tangles.
While moisturizing and conditioning treatments can help reduce side effects, frequent bleaching can change the texture of your hair in the long run.
Remove all jewelry before laundering
Before you decide to bleach your hair at home, make sure to remove all jewelry.
Studies show that chemicals in bleach can react with metals in jewelry, eventually causing skin injuries and burns.
Do a skin patch test.
Bleach dye can burn your skin. So it is better to do a skin patch test before applying the product to your hair and scalp.
This will help you avoid serious injury and subsequent burns.
How to Bleach Hair Safely at Home: A Step-by-Step Guide
Now that you know what to consider before proceeding with bleaching, your next step may be to consider how to (safely) bleach your hair at home. But don't worry because we've got your back! Here's a step-by-step guide on how to bleach your hair yourself at home:
1. Prepare old clothes and gloves.
During the bleaching process, it's best to wear an old t-shirt that you don't mind getting dirty, as some of the product may rub off or stick to it.
Also, wear gloves on your hands to prevent the bleach from getting on your skin, as it can cause unexpected itching, redness, or irritation.
2. Divide the hair into different quadrants.
Take a comb and detangle any knots in your hair. Then, separate your hair into sections for easy navigation and application.
During the bleaching process, you need to make sure that you apply the product properly to each section and strand to ensure that the bleach color is fully saturated.
3. Mix the developer with the bleach.
In a container, mix the developer and bleach for your application. While doing this, it is important that the mixture is consistent and free of lumps.
4. Begin applying the product to your hair.
After preparing the mixture, start by bleaching the ends. It is recommended to start using bleach on the ends and mid-section first, as the strands in these areas take longer to lighten.
After applying the product all over that section of hair, slowly work your way up to the scalp. The scalp reacts to the bleached color faster due to body heat. To avoid scalp burns, it's best to apply the bleach mixture within an inch of your scalp.
5. Sit back and let the bleach take over.
After completing the application steps, you can relax and let the product do its job. Wondering how long you leave bleach on your hair? Depending on the type of effect you want and the instructions on the package, the bleach can be removed or left in the hair.
However, the product should not be left on the hair for more than 30 minutes. Prolonged exposure to bleach color can lead to adverse effects such as loss of protein, brittle hair texture, rough hair, etc.
6. Wash off the product with a balancing shampoo.
The final step is to shower and thoroughly remove the bleach dye from your hair.
The pH of the human scalp is 5.5, while the pH of hair is 3.67; Hence, a balanced shampoo and conditioner is recommended to maintain the pH balance. This will help reduce friction between the hair fibers.
7. Use toner to remove metallic tones.
Although this step is optional, it is recommended if you want to remove warm or brassy tones from your hair after bleaching.
So once you wash off the product, dry your hair and use a tonic for desired results.
Avoid These Mistakes When Bleaching Your Hair
When you start bleaching your hair at home, there are a few precautions to take. Here are some mistakes to avoid when bleaching your hair yourself:
Not researching your hair type and whether it's bleach ready.
Leaving bleach in hair too long (more than 30 minutes)
Wash off the bleach color with warm water.
Not reading the instructions on the color boxes of bleach properly
Skip the strand test and skin patch test before bleaching your hair.
Get rid of tan after bleaching without hair dye.
Coloration of chemically treated, dyed or damaged hair
Do not remove any jewelry while bleaching your hair.
Not sectioning the hair properly and applying the bleach unevenly
Not using the right tools
When to Whiten & When not to Whiten ?
Before you decide to bleach your hair at home, there are a few factors you should consider.
How is your hair hydrated?
Does your hair texture feel rough?
When was the last time you had your hair dyed, bleached or serviced?
If you experience fine texture or dryness, frizz, and breakage after chemical treatments, it's best to wait until your hair returns to its natural state. Before bleaching, it is important to determine the health of your hair and whether it is able to accept the bleach color or not. Therefore, the quality and condition of your hair helps determine whether bleaching is safe. If you are confused, it is best to consult your hair care professional.
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