How to bleach your hair

 Want to bleach your hair? Bleaching your hair to blonde is not only edgy, it's also beautiful, and maybe that's why it never goes out of style. The good news is that you can bleach your hair yourself at home by simply buying a few products from a hair supply store. You can use chemicals, household products (hydrogen peroxide) or even natural foods (lemon juice) to lighten your hair color.



Methods

1

Bleach your hair with professional products


1

Research beforehand to find the best product for you. Find some photos of the hair color you want to dye, then search online to find out what those colors are called and which products are best for that color. Also consider your own hair color.

For example, search online for "What products are best for bleaching black hair?" or "How do I dye my black hair blonde?" .


2

Buy bleaching products at hairdressers. If you want to bleach your hair properly with professional products, you need to buy several products. Each one is important and plays a key role in the different stages of bleaching hair, including.

Bleaching powder: available in boxes or buckets.

Color Pigmentation Dressing: Pick according to your natural hair color. If your original hair color is blonde or light brown, you can use a color developer with a strength of 10, 20 or 30 (i.e. containing 3% to 9% hydrogen peroxide). If your original hair color was dark brown or black, you may need a color developer with a strength of 40 (12% hydrogen peroxide). The lower the strength, the less damage to the hair, so don't use a color developer stronger than 40. Some people even recommend not using a color developer with a strength of more than 10. It is a good idea to consult with the sales clerk about which strength is right for your hair.

Many professional hairdressers will use 30 or 40 strength dressings because they bleach faster. However, it is best if you do not do this yourself, as it can easily cause more damage to your hair if you are not careful.

Toner: Breaks down the yellow pigment after bleaching the hair color to a lighter shade. Prefer silvery gray hair? Then buy a toner. Some toners turn hair white, while others turn it silver.

Red Gold Corrector: Add to bleach powder to improve the effect without bleaching 2 times.

"Purple shampoo" (Purple shampoo, also known as Violet color-enhancing shampoo Violet Shampoo): specifically used to clean bleached hair (blonde or silvery gray hair).

Hair coloring brush, bowl and cling film.

Buy an extra box of bleach powder and color developer dressing to have an extra box on hand for backup in case you run out of bleach midway through the process. Some people's hair absorbs bleach more quickly, so having extra product on hand can save you a lot of trouble if you run out. You don't want to be halfway through bleaching and run out of bleach.


3

Start with unpermed hair. No matter which method you use to bleach your hair, it will become drier and weaker than usual. Only bleach healthy hair to avoid excessive damage during the bleaching process. If you plan to bleach your hair, don't color it or perform other hairdressing procedures more than 1 month beforehand. Use gentle products, such as shampoo and conditioner made from all-natural ingredients, to keep your hair as healthy as possible before bleaching.


4

Treat your hair with a deep conditioner first. A day or two before bleaching, hydrate your hair with a deep conditioner. There are many different types of conditioners, commercially available and natural, at different prices. You can also make your own deep conditioner from food. Why not search online on how to make a deep conditioner with bananas, avocados, mayonnaise, yogurt, eggs, coconut oil or other foods. Deep conditioning first adds moisture and elasticity to your hair, and your bleached hair will be less dry and brittle.


5

Test for allergic reactions. This step may seem time-consuming (especially if you just want to start bleaching as soon as possible), but it's important in case you're allergic to one of the ingredients or the bleach and it causes a severe rash or worse. Apply a small amount of bleach to a small patch of skin behind your ear and perform a skin contact test. Wait 24 to 48 hours and check for an allergic reaction there, such as a rash, itchiness or burning sensation. As soon as an allergic reaction occurs, no matter how mild, you will have to use another method of bleaching your hair.


6

Mix the bleach. Read the instructions that come with the bleach to find out exactly how much to use. The ratio of bleach to toner is usually 1:2, but the directions will tell you the exact amount. Pour them into an old bowl and mix them with an old spoon or spatula that you don't intend to use for eating anymore. Add the red and gold neutralizer as directed on the bottle, making sure the amount and ratio are correct. The mixture will be blue or bluish white in color.

For a more whitish-gold color, add some golden red. Check the instructions on the label carefully to make sure the dosage and proportions are correct.


7

Cover skin and clothing. Hydrogen peroxide can stain clothes and irritate skin, so protect yourself carefully. Wear gloves and cover your clothes with an old towel. A small amount of petroleum jelly applied along the hairline and collar will protect your skin.

Never use bleach without gloves or the chemicals in it will burn your skin.


8

Perform the hair bundle test. Grab a small handful of hair from the back of your neck and spray hydrogen peroxide from the roots all the way to the ends. 20 to 30 minutes before washing it out and placing the hair on a white towel to check the color. Check if you like the hair color before deciding whether to bleach the entire hair. You can also estimate how long to leave the hydrogen peroxide on your hair.


9

Separate your hair with bobby pins. Separate your hair into sections, then curl it up and clip it in place with bobby pins that are easy to take out. It is best to use bobby pins that can be pinned and removed with one hand, as it will be easier when you start bleaching. Leave only the first handful of hair to be bleached.


10

Apply the bleach to the hair. Start bleaching only when the hair is completely air-dried. Use a hair coloring brush to apply the bleach to the hair from the ends to the roots. Separate the hair that is not yet bleached from the hair that is already bleached so you can easily figure out your progress. Separate them with bobby pins or pieces of aluminum foil.

Depending on how you want to style your hair, you can use a coloring brush to apply the bleach in different ways, including: bottom to top and top to bottom, etc.

Do not apply bleach to your head, these chemicals can burn your scalp.

Want to bleach only 1 strand of hair? Separate the section of hair that you want to bleach. Place a piece of aluminum foil under these hairs to protect the rest of the hair from the hydrogen peroxide. Spray the bleach onto the separated hair and wrap it in the foil sheet to avoid touching the rest of the hair while you wait. The most convenient method is still to find a friend to help you.

You can also bleach the front of your hair first, treat and wash it well, and then bleach the back. It is quite time consuming to bleach the entire hair directly, and it is possible that the front hair needs to be washed while the back hair is not yet well bleached.


11

Wait for 15 to 30 minutes. Cover the hair with plastic wrap. Let the bleach work. After 15 minutes, towel off the bleach from one of the strands and check the hair color. If the color is still darker than you want, reapply the bleach to the clean hair and wait another 10 minutes for the bleach to continue to work. Check every 10 minutes until you are satisfied with your hair color. However, don't leave the bleach on your hair for more than 45 minutes.

A variety of factors, including the amount of color developer and the shade of your hair, will affect the amount of time it takes to bleach your hair and get it to the desired shade.


12

Wash off the bleach and wash your hair well. Wash off all the bleach with cold water. Then wash your hair with a special shampoo for bleached hair. Dry your hair and check the hair color. Happy with your hair color now? Then you're done. You can do your hair as usual.

Note that the color of your hair after bleaching depends on your original hair color. Dark brown hair will turn into chestnut brown, too much hydrogen peroxide will turn into orange-brown. Medium brown will become light brown, light brown will become dark blonde, red will become orange, and if enough bleach is used, it will become a slightly reddish blonde. Dark blonde becomes light blonde. Black hair turns reddish brown, and light yellow if enough hydrogen peroxide is used.


13

Decide if you want to use a color toner. Some people bleach their hair and then need to tone it to turn it a nice platinum blonde color or to even out the hair color. However, this may not work for everyone and the hair may turn an off-white color that you don't like. You should only use a color toner after you have bleached thoroughly and do not plan to bleach again. Make sure your hair has been washed and air dried so you can easily check the color of your hair now.


14

Prepare the toner. Pour the toner, color developer and red-blond neutralizer into an old bowl according to the portions and proportions indicated on the package, and mix with an old spatula.


15

Apply the toner to the hair. Apply the toner only when almost all the hair is dry. After bleaching, remember to towel dry your hair and wait a little longer. Using a clean hair coloring brush, apply the toner to all parts of the hair, using bobby pins or aluminum foil to separate the hair that has been treated and the hair that has not yet been treated. You can apply it slowly and don't need to pay as much attention to time as you do with bleaching.


16

Wait 30 minutes. The time required varies from product to product, but most color toners take 30 minutes to work. Wait for the toner to turn dark purple on your head. 15 minutes later, wipe off a little purple toner and check your hair color. Check every 10 minutes until you are satisfied with your hair color.


17

Wash off the toner. Wash the toner off with cold water. Cold water is better than warm water because it will stop the colorant from continuing to work and prevent your hair color from fading too much.


18

Wash your hair with purple shampoo. This is a toning shampoo that delivers purple pigment to the hair to help offset the yellow color. Just add a small amount of purple pigment. It will neutralize the reds and yellows that remain after bleaching your hair, bringing out a little blue and making your hair lean toward cooler tones. Rinse hair quickly with hot water to open the hair shaft and prepare it to absorb more purple. Apply a generous amount of shampoo to the hair and wash it out with cold water after 5 minutes. The cold water will form a moisturizing film on the hair shaft, retaining the purple tones in the hair. Remember to wash the shampoo out or it will stain the towel and if your hair is platinum blonde, it may be dyed purple like lavender.

There are several different brands on the market with different prices. It's best to buy them at a hair product store. Ask the clerk which shampoo is best for you.


19

Condition your hair. Bleached hair can become brittle and dry and needs deep conditioning to restore moisture and elasticity. Use a commercially available or natural deep conditioner at least once a week, and wash it out after 20 to 30 minutes. Using a hair dryer on your hair while you wait will enhance the results. Want to make your own deep conditioner with food? Remember to check the food to make sure it hasn't gone bad. Homemade deep conditioner should not be kept for too long, more than a few days before you have to throw it away and make it again. If you keep it in the fridge, it will keep for 1 week.




Method

2

Bleaching hair with hydrogen peroxide


1

Purchase hydrogen peroxide. This compound has many household uses, such as cleaning wounds, disinfecting table tops and removing stains. It can also bleach hair. You can find them at a pharmacy or grocery store and get a large bottle for not much money. Double check the active ingredient labeled on the bottle to make sure the strength does not exceed 3% to avoid serious damage to your hair.


2

Start with unpermed hair. No matter which method you use to bleach your hair, it will become drier and weaker than usual. Only bleach healthy hair to avoid excessive hair damage during the bleaching process. If you plan to bleach your hair, don't color it or perform any other hairdressing procedures more than 1 month beforehand. Use gentle products, such as shampoo and conditioner made from all-natural ingredients, to keep your hair as healthy as possible before bleaching.


3

Treat your hair with a deep conditioner first. A day or two before bleaching, hydrate your hair with a deep conditioner. There are many different types of conditioners, commercially available and natural, at different prices. You can also make your own deep conditioner from food. Why not search online on how to make a deep conditioner with bananas, avocados, mayonnaise, yogurt, eggs, coconut oil or other foods. By deep conditioning first, adding moisture and elasticity to your hair, your hair will be less dry and brittle after bleaching.


4

Test for allergic reactions. This step may seem time-consuming (especially if you just want to start bleaching as soon as possible), but it's important in case you're allergic to one of the ingredients or the bleach and it causes a severe rash or worse. Apply a small amount of bleach to a small patch of skin behind your ear and perform a skin contact test. Wait 24 to 48 hours and check for an allergic reaction there, such as a rash, itchiness or burning sensation. As soon as an allergic reaction occurs, no matter how mild, you will have to change to another method of bleaching your hair.


5

Pour hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle. Use a clean spray bottle, or wash an old one, dry it and recycle it. The spray bottle will help you spray more evenly and accurately. Have some cotton balls available, which will also help you apply it more accurately. Test spray a few times to make sure the bottle is working properly and not clogged.


6

Cover your skin and clothes. Hydrogen peroxide can stain your clothes and irritate your skin, so be careful to protect yourself. Wear gloves and cover your clothes with an old towel. A little petroleum jelly along the hairline and collar will protect your skin.


7

Wet your hair and separate it into sections with bobby pins. Wet your hair with warm water and pat dry with a towel. Let your hair air dry for a few minutes until it stops dripping, but is still wet. Separate your hair with bobby pins. Separate your hair into sections, then curl it up and pin it in place with an easy-to-reach bobby pin. It is best to use bobby pins that can be pinned and removed with one hand, as it will be easier when you start bleaching. Leave only the first handful of hair to be bleached.

Before bleaching, you may want to apply melted coconut oil to your hair to protect them. Put the sealed jar with coconut oil in hot water and let it dissolve. Pour the oil on your head and carefully rub it into your hair. Put on a plastic shower cap and let the oil penetrate your hair for several hours (preferably overnight). Wash your hair only when you want to bleach it.


8

Perform the hair bundle test. Grab a small handful of hair from the back of the neck and spray hydrogen peroxide from the roots all the way to the ends. 20 to 30 minutes before washing and placing hair on a white towel to check the color. Check if you like the hair color before deciding whether to bleach the entire hair. You can also estimate how long you want to leave the hydrogen peroxide on your hair.

Note that the color of your hair after bleaching depends on your original hair color. Dark brown hair will turn chestnut brown, and too much hydrogen peroxide will turn orange-brown. Medium brown will become light brown, light brown will become dark blonde, red will become orange, and if enough bleach is used, it will become a slightly reddish blonde. Dark blonde becomes light blonde. Black hair will become reddish brown, and light yellow if enough hydrogen peroxide is used.


9

Spray hydrogen peroxide on the hair. Spray the hydrogen peroxide from the spray bottle on the first handful of hair, wetting it and making sure to cover all the way. The more you spray, the lighter the hair color will become. Spray only on the hair, not on the scalp to avoid irritating the skin. Take your time and spray carefully while watching how your hair reacts to the hydrogen peroxide.

After wetting the first strand of hair, remove the clips from the second strand and repeat until all hair is coated with hydrogen peroxide.

Want to bleach just a few strands? Dip a cotton ball into a small amount of hydrogen peroxide and apply it to the strands you want to bleach.

Only want to bleach 1 strand of hair? Separate the part of the hair you want to bleach. Place a piece of aluminum foil under these hairs to protect the rest of the hair from the hydrogen peroxide. Spray the bleach onto the separated hair and wrap it in the foil sheet to avoid touching the rest of the hair while you wait. The most convenient method is still to find a friend to help you.


10

Wait 30 minutes. The longer the hydrogen peroxide stays on your hair, the lighter the hair color becomes. However, don't let the hydrogen peroxide stay on your hair for more than 45 minutes. If it starts to irritate your scalp, wash it out immediately.

While waiting, blowing your hair with a hair dryer or other heated appliance may speed up the bleaching process and give you the color you want earlier. This is not a necessary step, and if you're not sure how your hair will react to hydrogen peroxide, it's best to skip it.


11

Wash out the hydrogen peroxide. Wash all the hydrogen peroxide out with cold water and then hydrate with a deep conditioner. Once your hair is dry, you can get your hair as usual.


12

Repeat the bleaching process after 1 week. If the 1st round of bleaching did not achieve the hair color you want, you can bleach 1 more time. It is recommended that you wait 1 week to give your hair some time to recover. The bleaching process causes a lot of damage to your hair and bleaching more than 2 times in 1 day or 1 week may severely damage your hair and cause hair loss.


13

Take care of your hair. Bleached hair can become brittle and dry and needs deep conditioning to restore moisture and elasticity. Use a commercially available or natural deep conditioner at least once a week and wash it out after 20 to 30 minutes. Using a hair dryer on your hair while you wait will enhance the results. Want to make your own deep conditioner with food? Remember to check the food to make sure it hasn't gone bad. Homemade deep conditioner should not be kept for too long, more than a few days before you have to throw it away and make it again. If you keep it in the fridge, it will keep for 1 week.



Method

3

Give to a hair stylist or colorist


1

Consult a hairstylist or hair colorist you trust. Many hair stylists are trained in the proper procedure for bleaching hair, but the level of proficiency varies. Find a time to consult with your stylist and plan how you want to bleach your hair. Ask them about their experience with bleaching, how they handle different hair types, etc. Let them make suggestions for your hair and speculate on how your hair will react to bleaching.

You should also ask yourself if your hair is healthy enough to withstand bleaching. Some hair colorists will not help bleach colored hair because it hurts the hair.


2

Decide what color you want to bleach to. Bleached hair still comes in different shades. You can choose to bleach it white, platinum blonde, light silvery gray or other shades. If you see a hair color you like online or in a magazine, bring the picture to your hair stylist, who will be more likely to understand what you mean and help you bleach it in the best way possible.


3

Be prepared to sit in the chair for a long time. The bleaching process is time consuming and does not work immediately. It takes time for the stylist to wash your hair, mix the bleach and apply it to your hair. You will need to sit for a while (about 30 minutes). Afterwards, the stylist will have to wash and dry your hair.

If you have dark hair and want to bleach it platinum blonde, you may have to make an appointment with your stylist for a second bleaching session.

Hair stylists are also good at bleaching a few strands of hair. It's easier to get someone else to help you than to pick a few strands of hair to bleach yourself. They can look down on the entire head and apply the bleach evenly.


4

Take care of your hair. Bleached hair can become brittle and dry and needs deep conditioning to restore moisture and elasticity. Use a commercially available or natural deep conditioner at least once a week and wash it out after 20 to 30 minutes. Using a hair dryer on your hair while you wait will enhance the results. Want to make your own deep conditioner with food? Remember to check the food to make sure it hasn't gone bad. Homemade deep conditioner should not be kept for too long, more than a few days before you have to throw it away and make it again. If you keep it in the fridge, it will keep for 1 week.



Method

4

Bleach your hair with lemon juice


1

Start with unpermed hair. No matter which method you use, your hair will become drier and weaker than usual. Only bleach healthy hair to avoid excessive damage during the bleaching process. If you plan to bleach your hair, don't color it or perform other hairdressing procedures more than 1 month beforehand. Use gentle products, such as shampoo and conditioner made from all-natural ingredients, to keep your hair as healthy as possible before bleaching.


2

Treat your hair with a deep conditioner first. A day or two before bleaching, hydrate your hair with a deep conditioner. There are many different types of conditioners, commercially available and natural, at different prices. You can also make your own deep conditioner from food. Why not search online on how to make a deep conditioner with bananas, avocados, mayonnaise, yogurt, eggs, coconut oil or other foods. By deep conditioning first, adding moisture and elasticity to your hair, your hair will be less dry and brittle after bleaching.


3

Juice a few lemons. Depending on the length of your hair and the amount of hair you want to bleach, you may need to juice 2 to 5 lemons. Cut the lemons in half and squeeze the juice into a bowl using a juicer or by hand. Strain the seeds after squeezing.

Do not use bottled lemon juice. It contains preservatives that may harm the hair.


4

Dilute lemon juice. Pouring high-strength lemon juice directly on your hair can make it very dry, so you must dilute it with water first. Pour an equal amount of water as lemon juice into a bowl.


5

Pour the solution into a spray bottle. It is best to use a new spray bottle (available at major pharmacies), or you can recycle an old spray bottle from home. However, wash it well with soap and water before pouring in the lemon juice. Shake the solution well and try spraying a few times to make sure the bottle is working properly and not clogged.


6

Spray the lemon juice on your hair. Spray a generous amount of lemon juice on the area you want to bleach and let it get thoroughly wet. Spray more lemon juice on the area you wish to bleach the lightest. The more lemon juice you have, the lighter the hair color will be.

Only want to bleach a few strands of hair? Dip a cotton ball in a little lemon juice and rub it on the strands you want to bleach.


7

Sit outside in the bright sunlight. The sunlight will react with the lemon juice and lighten the hair color. It takes about 30 minutes for all the lemon juice on your hair to dry completely. Remember to apply sunscreen and wear sun-protective clothing when you are in the sun. Your hair will also become dry in the process. Sitting in the sun for a long time can lighten your hair color, but it can also cause some damage at the same time.


8

Wash your hair. After the lemon juice has dried, wash it off with shampoo and then condition your hair with a high-quality moisturizing conditioner. Get your hair styled as usual.

When your hair is dry, take a look at the hair color. Want a lighter color? Then repeat the process after a few days. Bleach your hair with lemon juice no more often than once every 2 or 3 weeks.


Tip

Trim your hair after bleaching and remove all dry ends for a healthier look.

Prefer natural bleaching methods to chemicals? Try other household products to bleach your hair, such as honey, olive oil and chamomile tea.


Warning.

After bleaching your hair, your skin tone and usual color scheme will look different. Some makeup and clothes may no longer suit you. Blemishes on your skin also become more visible.

If you have balding hair, are using Rogaine or other hair growth products, and don't want to lose any more hair, don't risk bleaching. While there is no chance of hair loss if you bleach properly, there is still a very small chance. If you don't know how your hair will react to the bleaching process, it is highly recommended that you go to a salon and have a professional help you with the bleaching process.

Some doctors recommend that pregnant and breastfeeding women should not use chemical hair dyes. The skin absorbs small amounts of chemical agents that may be passed to the fetus or leach into breast milk. However, the skin absorbs very little chemical agent and the risk of transmission to the fetus is low. If you are concerned about this, consult your doctor first, or use natural hair dyes.

Do not try to bleach your eyelashes or eyebrows. Bleach can easily get into the eyes and cause severe inflammation and even blindness. You should consult a hairstylist or cosmetologist to complete the bleaching procedure correctly and safely.