Bleaching your hair using at-home bleaching kits can cause a lot of stress on your locks, especially if you are changing your hair from a darker color to a light blonde. The harsh chemicals in hair bleach can cause hair to become thin and brittle, resulting in unwanted split ends and breakage. When bleaching your hair, it is important to follow a few simple instructions to get the results you want with as little damage as possible.
Choosing the Bleach
There are two different options when choosing at-home bleaching kits; liquid to liquid and powder to liquid. Liquid-to-liquid bleach typically comes packaged in a box and is usually found at drug stores. To use this bleach, two liquids are mixed together to activate the color. This type of bleach does not work well on very dark hair, and can often produce brassy results.
Powder-to-liquid bleach can either come in a kit, or you can purchase the items separately. This type of bleach allows you to choose the strength of the peroxide developer, which comes in liquid or cream form. Choose from 10, 20 or 30 volume, depending on how dark your hair is. For example, if you have dark blonde hair and you want to lighten it a few shades, try using the lowest-strength developer at 10 volume. For dark brown to black hair, try using 30 or even 40 volume. Forty volume is typically not used to bleach the entire head, as it can cause burns on the scalp, but is used primarily for highlights and frosting. The bleach will either be included in the kit, or you can purchase bleach powder packets separately. The good thing about buying developer and bleach packets separately is that you can use the developer again and again, unlike a single-use bleach kit.
Strand Test
Before applying the bleach mixture to your entire head, it is most important to conduct a strand test. This will tell you how long the bleach will take to lighten your hair to the desired color, and if a second application is necessary. For very dark hair, two applications over a period of time may be necessary. The purpose of a strand test is to avoid over-bleaching.
To conduct a strand test, cut a few strands of hair close to the root in an area that isn't noticeable, such as the back of your head. Tie a small knot to keep the strands together, or use a tiny rubber band. Mix a small amount of bleach and developer together into a nonmetallic bowl and place the hair into the mixture, coating it entirely. Every five minutes, wipe the bleach mixture off the hair to check the progress. If the hair isn't light enough, apply more bleach and continue checking every five minutes until the desired color is attained.
Bleaching
Now that you have conducted a strand test, you should know how long the bleach will need to set in your hair. One of the easiest ways to apply bleach is by using a tint brush, which will allow you to get as close to the root as possible without touching your scalp. It is important that your hair is unwashed, with no styling products in it. The oils in dirtier hair help to protect the scalp from the harsh chemicals of the bleach.
Part your hair into four large sections using a comb, and clip the sections. This will allow you to apply the bleach evenly throughout your head. Blindly applying bleach to your hair can result in spotty, uneven results. Then apply the bleach from top to the bottom with the tint brush, leaving about an eighth of an inch of space from the root. If you have very long hair, you may need a friend to help you. It is important to work quickly. The bleach will begin lightening immediately, and if you apply too slowly, you may end up with uneven results. Leave the product in for the amount of time taken from your strand test. It is still recommended to check on the lightness of your hair every five minutes.
You will notice your hair changing a few different colors. First your hair will turn an orangey-red color, then lighten to a pale yellow, then light blonde. If you feel that the end result looks too brassy or yellow, try using a blue or purple toner to neutralize the color.
Tags: your hair, bleach will, apply bleach, five minutes, strand test, applying bleach, at-home bleaching
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