To bleach your hair at home while minimizing damage, make sure to always do the following: Apply bleach and toner: Bleach first, tone second. Make sure to fully saturate your hair to avoid uneven color. Rely on a timer: Constantly check your progress to make sure your color is lifting and to avoid damaging your hair.
It is generally recommended to bleach highlights first before applying a dark dye, as the bleach will lighten the hair and create a base for the dark dye to adhere to. This will result in more vibrant and even color.
Damage Potential: Wet hair is more fragile and can be more susceptible to damage. Applying bleach to wet hair may increase the risk of breakage. If you want to bleach your hair, it's best to do so on dry, clean hair. Always consider doing a strand test first and follow up with proper aftercare to minimize damage.
Should I wash my hair after bleaching it? We'd advise that you thoroughly wash your hair after bleaching it with a gentle shampoo to remove all traces of bleach.
Having light blonde hair as your natural tone will make it easy to achieve platinum blonde colours and will most likely only need one bleaching session.
Step 7: Wash it
When it's fully processed, it's time to wash it out. Use lukewarm water, too hot or cold of water can shock your hair in its already fragile state. Make sure to completely rinse out the bleach and gently wash your hair to get out all the product.
It's important not to start at the scalp, as it processes quicker from body heat. Once the rest of the hair is done, go back and apply bleach to the roots. Let bleach process between 20-45 minutes, depending on your hair color, desired results, and package directions.
Hair stylists often tone bleached or blonde hair to neutralize brassy yellow and orange tones on bleached hair with a purple color. Purple shampoo is a great at-home solution for toning hair and preventing brassiness.
Stylists advise that bleach does not need to go on clean hair, and that it's actually healthier for your hair to be a little oily when you bleach.
For a bleach bath, it's best to apply the bleach to damp hair. Wetting your hair prior to applying the bleach will help to ensure even application and prevent the bleach from drying out too quickly. However, for traditional bleaching, it's typically recommended to apply the bleach to dry hair.
Natural bleaching agents like apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, chamomile tea, or cinnamon and honey can lighten hair gently and naturally with minimal damage.
For up to 3 levels lift, use bleach with 20 Vol developer. For greater than 3 levels lift, use bleach with 30 Vol developer. For second time bleach applications, use only 20 Vol developer. Otherwise you will damage the hair excessively.
The length of the hair makes a big difference with the colour process. I can tell you that the only way to achieve a platinum blonde is to bleach the hair to an ivory colour first. The hair needs to be as light as possible with no traces of yellow before a platinum colour can be applied for the colour to look amazing.
I'm not sure how light you are planning on going but generally you can expect 1/2 to 1 1/2 levels of lift with a bleach bath.
You should always apply your bleach mixture to your mid lengths and ends first, and then go back to your roots. Working through each section, saturate the mid-lengths and ends of your hair with your bleach mixture. Once you've worked through each section, it's time for the roots!
After bleaching, your hair needs some 'TLC', so be gentle and detangle your hair when it is still wet using a flat brush, as opposed to drying it roughly with a towel. And leave your hair to air dry whenever possible; it's time to decommission the dryer for the summer. Remember your oils.
You might want to nourish your hair with a thirst-quenching hair mask a couple of weeks before bleaching too. We love Aveda's Botanical Repair™ Intensive Strengthening Masque which conditions, strengthens and repairs hair, ensuring your locks are in prime condition before you head to your appointment.
You can use hair toner at any point during your colouring cycle - but we'd recommend you use it every time you bleach your hair, as you'll need a toner to neutralise unwanted undertones. Salon-style toners last around three to four weeks before a refresh is needed.
If your blonde, lightened, or gray hair starts to show yellow or brassy undertones, it's time to reach for purple shampoo. This product is specifically designed to neutralize those warm tones, helping to restore your hair's cool, vibrant color.