As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn More
A lot of people crave a makeover. The reason is that change is inevitable in humans. Most often than naught the makeover starts with the hair. You want to change the color of the hair from a dark color to a brighter color.
And because of the situation of covid-19, you couldn’t go to the colorist, so you might want to do it yourself.
We are going to take you through a step-by-step guide on how to bleach your hair at home.
What to Consider Before You Bleach Your Hair
- You should ensure that your hair is healthy before you decide to go ahead with bleaching. If you notice breakage or excessive dryness in your hair, you should leave it for about one or two months before you bleach it.
- Make sure that your hair is unprocessed before you bleach your hair i.e let your hair be virgin hair. If you bleach processed hair, the chemicals already present in your hair combined with chemicals in the bleach can cause damage to your hair.
- Refrain from heat styling your hair and avoid using hair products that contain sulfur and alcohol. Doing this helps to retain moisture in your hair. Also, ensure you use coconut oil to prevent moisture loss in your hair.
Materials Needed for a Successful Bleaching Process
- Bleach powder
- Lightener (Liquid or powdered) and a Developer: a developer has -10, -20, -30, -40 measurement volume of peroxide. The darker your hair is, the higher the needed volume peroxide. Yet, you should know that a higher volume of peroxide damages the hair. So, make sure you don’t wear a higher volume peroxide for a long time. Do not use a higher volume of peroxide at home.
- Toner
- Tinting brush
- Comb (a large and a tail comb)
- Plastic gloves
- Plastic cap/ shower cap
- Shampoo
- Protein balancing conditioner
- Old towel and old cloth: Make sure the cloth is free that it allows you to bleach and wash your hair freely.
Step-by-Step Guide – How to Bleach Your Hair at Home
Wear your old cloth and a plastic glove. Make sure you stay in a place with good ventilation and good lighting. If there is no one with you, have a mirror with you. Also, make sure you have a table and put all the things you want to use on it.
Related: What Are the Side Effects of a Keratin Treatment
Step 1: Mix the bleach powder and the developer
For one part of bleach, add two parts of the developer. Make sure you mix the mixture thoroughly until it is well-mixed. Ensure that there is no lump in the mixture
Step 2: Part your hair into sections
With the aid of a tail comb, ensure you part your hair in sections and secure them with hair clips. It makes it easier for you to work through the hair.
Step 3: Apply the bleach to your hair
Apply the bleach starting from the bottom section. When you are done applying to the bottom section, you can then move to the upper section which is the crown of the hair.
The upper section is most difficult to reach, so you should leave it for when you are done with the lower section.
Note: For even color, you should apply bleach to the tip and mid-lengths of your hair. This is because it takes a longer time to lighten than the root. After applying to the tip and mid-length, you should wait for at least 20 minutes before applying the mixture to the root of the hair.
Step 4: Cover your hair and wait for the process to be done
After applying the bleach, make sure you cover your hair with a shower cap or plastic cap. Then wait for the process to be done. The time of waiting is dependent on your hair color, your desired result, and the instructions on the bleach package.
But it should not be more than 30-45 minutes. Also, ensure you check the hair from time to time to know if the color changes to what you want.
However, make sure you keep a close eye on the hair and skin surrounding the hair. The moment you notice burning, itching, or redness after applying the bleach, wash it off immediately and visit your doctor.
Related: How to Air Dry Hair Overnight
Step 5: Wash off the bleach and air dry
After the given time, wash your hair thoroughly to get rid of any bleach. Make sure you use a balancing shampoo to wash it. This ensures that the pH level of your hair is balanced. Then use a protein balancing conditioner and leave it to air dry.
Step 6: Add toner
This step is optional. If you like the warm color of your hair then you don’t need toner. But to neutralize any warm color, use toner and repeat the above steps. However, you can use a toning shampoo as an alternative to a toner.
Mistakes to Avoid While Bleaching Your Hair at Home
Using the wrong product
There are different products for different hair types. The product used by your friend may not be good for your hair type. So make sure you go for the right product always.
Related: How to Take Care of Rebonded Hair
Applying unevenly
It can be difficult to apply bleach to your hair at home. Even with the use of a mirror, you might have to put extra effort to ensure that there is even application of bleach.
Wrong timing
Timing is essential in hair bleaching. You have the get the timing right. If the timing is too short or too long, you won’t get the right result. So, you have to work faster for uniform timing to avoid getting a patchy look.
Haircare Tips After Bleaching
- Use organic products.
- Chemicals damage your hair. However, after bleaching, your hair is more susceptible to damages caused by chemicals. So, avoid the use of products that have chemicals and opt for natural or organic products.
- Avoid the use of styling tools.
- Styling tools such as dryer or straightener should be avoided for up to two weeks after bleaching. This is because heat from these styling tools damages the hair.
- Nourish your hair with enough oil. Ensure you oil your hair at least twice a week. Oil strengthens your hair from within and gives the hair the needed nourishment after bleaching. You need to make sure you leave the oil in your hair for at least one hour before washing it off.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that you have to ensure that your hair is healthy and unprocessed before you go ahead to bleach your hair. If your hair is unhealthy, you might end up damaging the hair.
