Bleaching your hair at home is a delicate process that needs to be handled with care to avoid damage. Improper bleaching can lead to weakened hair, breakage, and unwanted colours. It’s crucial to follow best practices to protect your hair while achieving your desired results.
Do Prepare Properly: Research and Patch Testing
Start by thoroughly researching the process and understanding how bleach works. Different hair types and natural colours respond differently to bleaching, so ensure you know how many levels of lift you require. Many brands offer products designed to minimise damage while achieving up to nine levels of lift, thanks to advanced formulations with bonding agents.
Before applying bleach to your full head, always do a patch test to check for allergic reactions. This will also allow you to assess the timing, ensuring you don’t leave the bleach on for too long.
Don’t Skip Professional Consultation
It’s always wise to consult a professional before starting. A quick consultation with a hairdresser or colourist can provide personalised advice on the bleaching process and recommend the right products for your hair type.
They can also help you select a professional hair colour by identifying the right shade of blonde or toner for your skin tone. Achieving ultra-light shades like pearlescent white often requires multiple sessions and may not be safe to do at home if your hair is already compromised.
Do Use the Right Products and Tools
Using high-quality products and tools is essential for safe at-home bleaching. Some formulas include additional ingredients designed to protect and nourish your hair during the process. Look for products that contain care agents such as succinic acid, which helps rebuild bonds to reduce the risk of breakage.
In addition to the bleach, invest in a good developer (20 or 30 volume is standard for most at-home bleaching kits), a mixing bowl, brush, and protective gloves. Having all the right tools at hand ensures that the application is even and precise, helping you avoid patchy results.
Don’t Overprocess Your Hair: Aftercare and Recovery
Leaving bleach on for too long can result in severe damage, making hair dry, brittle, and prone to breakage. Always follow the instructions provided with your kit, and avoid re-bleaching too soon after your initial session.
Aftercare is equally critical. Bleaching strips your hair of moisture, so it’s important to use deep conditioning treatments regularly to restore hydration. Use products that are specifically designed for bleached or colour-treated hair to ensure you’re nourishing it adequately.
Try not to use excessive heat in the weeks following your bleach. Hair that has been lightened is more fragile, and additional stress from straighteners or curling irons can exacerbate breakage.
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