Bleaching hair at home can be a fun and easy way to get the look you want. However, it would be best if you did things correctly not to damage or burn your hair.
This article will help guide you through what steps to take before bleaching your hair at home and how to get rid of those unwanted color tones from your locks!
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HOW DEOS BLEACH WORK?
Bleach works because of its ability to change the chemical composition of dark pigments in our skin and hair into lighter or de-pigmented substances. The process is swift but can result in some side effects.
IS BLEACHING HAIR AT HOME BAD FOR YOUR HAIR?
Bleaching hair at home is not bad for your hair, as long as you do it the right way. What’s important is that you pay attention to what type of bleaching process will go best with your natural color and how much bleach you apply per section.
After assessing these factors, some people may decide that it is best to see a professional.
TYPES OF BLEACH | HOW MANY TYPES OF BLEACH ARE THERE?
There are two types of bleach: peroxide and ammonia. The type you choose is dependent on what kind of hair color you’re trying to achieve.
Peroxide bleaches most natural colors, but it also lightens your highlights or gives them a more constant tone.
This process is less damaging in general because it doesn’t contain ammonia, which can cause more damage and even break the bonds in your hair.
Ammonia bleach is used to lighten dark or black colors with a lighter tone than peroxide bleach would.
This also works well for very curly hair that may have some color underneath it because it will only affect the top layers of your locks.
Ammonia is very strong and can damage your hair, so you must use a protective cap while applying the bleach.
BLEACHING HAIR AT HOME TIPS
- Do your research! This step is so important because it will help you figure out whether or not bleaching at home is the right thing to do. The process should be well researched and planned before starting for things to go smoothly.
- Bleach is usually in a two-to-one ratio. This means that you need twice as much developer as bleach, so know how many ounces of each type of product you’ll be using before starting the process. How often do I use this? It would be best if you only bleach when it is necessary.
- Expect to spend at least an hour on the process, depending on how long and thick you want your locks to be before fizzing away all that unwanted color!
- There are many different things you should take into account, such as how much bleach to use and what type of hair color you have before starting this project.
- If it looks like bleaching your locks at home might work for you, then there are some other steps to take to make the process easier and more successful.
- Figure out the type of color that’s in your locks so that you can figure out how much bleach will be needed for each section. When figuring this amount of bleach, know what kind of hair length you want and how long it will take for the bleach to work.
- Know what kind of product you’re going to use, such as developer or toner (if needed). Know how many ounces are in each bottle so that you can calculate how much is required per section of hair.
- Make sure all your tools are handy and ready to go before you start. You will need a brush, gloves, and protective covering for your clothes (a towel or plastic wrap).
- Apply the bleach in small sections at first so that it’s easier to control where it goes. Apply the dye to one section and then repeat the process until all hair has been applied.
- To avoid your hair looking fried, make sure to apply the bleach evenly throughout all sections, and don’t forget a cap or some protective covering for your head!
- Be patient while waiting for the process to finish – it can take up to thirty to forty minutes, depending on how long you want your locks to be before.
- After the bleach has been applied, comb through it with a brush and cover your head with some plastic wrap or towel to keep the product from getting on anything else in your home.
- Wait for thirty minutes before shampooing out all that excess color! Rinse the hair until the water runs clear and then condition.
- Rinse your hair and make sure all bleach is removed before using other products or styling tools on it so that you don’t damage any of those fresh color tones!
THINGS TO DO BEFORE BLEACHING HAIR AT HOME
– Make sure your hair is clean and brushed out.
– You can use a clarifying shampoo in the days before bleaching to avoid build-up on your scalp that could surface as an unpleasant odor when you bleach.
– Find the right color for you by purchasing some samples or doing a strand test.
– The best way to do this is by bleaching a small section of hair close to your roots and checking the results after 24 hours.
– If you have dark brown or black hair, consider using an ash-based toner on your desired bleached color before adding bleach for more natural-looking highlights that will last longer than regular bleach would.
– Consider cutting off any split ends with an electric hair trimmer before bleaching.
– Use a high-quality shampoo and conditioner for your new color because it will be more intense than any other time you’ve used them.
– If possible, shave the night before to avoid getting skin irritation during the bleaching process from shaving afterward. This is not necessary if you are using cream bleach.
– Wear loose clothing that is not constricting and avoid wearing makeup to remove any residue from your skin after bleaching.
– You may want to plan for extra time in the morning since it will take longer than normal to style your hair afterward or get ready at night before you start the process.
– Wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo the day before bleaching.
This will remove any build-up on your scalp that could surface as an unpleasant odor when you bleach.
– Do not sleep in a conditioner after bathing; it may cause less of the chemicals to penetrate your roots and lead to dryness or breakage if used overnight.
– Remove your makeup the night before to avoid any residue on the skin that could irritate the bleaching process.
This is not necessary if you are using cream bleach.
– Shave (if possible) or trim hair at ends with an electric trimmer for more natural-looking highlights.
– Consider prepping by cutting split ends.
STEPS TO BLEACH HAIR AT HOME
– Put on loose clothing and avoid wearing makeup.
– Fill a tub or sink with cold water. The colder, the better, as long as it is not icy.
– Apply some olaplex to your hair first:-
– Olaplex is a product you can purchase from a beauty supply store or an online store, and it’s used to keep the hair healthy while undergoing this process.
– After washing and rinsing the hair, apply olaplex to the roots of the hair first before you begin bleaching it out. This will help protect your scalp from any damage that could occur during this process. Make sure to cover all of your strands with the product.
– The use of Olaplex can prevent breakage and damage to the hair but will not work for everyone.
– Add about half of an inch to an inch of bleach, depending on how dark was your original hair color.
– If you are using cream bleach, apply thoroughly all over
your hair and comb in with a wide-tooth comb.
– If you are using powder bleach, add it to the water (and mix if necessary) until dissolved. Then apply all over your roots and create a thick paste as close to the scalp as possible.
– Cover head with plastic wrap or wet towel for 30 minutes.
– Rinse hair with cold water and shampoo.
– Condition with deep conditioner, especially if you have dry or chemically treated hair.
– Rinse thoroughly to avoid a green tint in your new color.
– Blow-dry on cool setting for added volume – this is unnecessary but will make styling easier afterward. Professional stylists recommend using the low heat option for the blow dryer.
– Apply a heat protectant before using any styling tool on your new color to avoid fraying or breaking the hair. This can be purchased at most drugstores and is good for up to six months.
– If you are struggling with how much bleach to add, it’s best not to use too much. You can always add more bleach later.
– If you find that the bleach is too harsh on your hair, try adding a deep conditioner to help soften it and make it easier to comb through. This will also increase the time needed for the bleaching process and how long the new color lasts.
– Remember to stay calm during the process.
– If you are not relaxed, your body will release hormones that produce adrenaline, making it harder for the bleach to penetrate and cause damage. It also raises your heart rate, which could lead to dizziness or fainting from overexertion.
– In the next 40 minutes, get into the shower to wash the bleach thoroughly and let your hair air dry.
BLEACHING DARK BROWN OR BLACK HAIR AT HOME
If you have dark brown or black hair, consider using an ash-based toner on your desired bleached color before adding bleach for more natural-looking highlights that will last longer than regular bleach would.
Consider cutting off any split ends before bleaching to get the most natural-looking highlights.