What is Hair Bleaching?
Hair bleaching is one of the trends in hair styling. This treatment is done using chemicals that can lighten hair color, by removing pigment from hair strands.
This hair treatment is also one of the quickest and easiest ways to remove hair color.
Once the hair bleach has lightened your hair color enough, you can then use hair dye to change your hair color.
Purpose and Benefits of Hair Bleaching
Bleaching can make the hair shaft look thicker.
Additionally, if you have light skin and thinning hair, this procedure can disguise the contrast between your hair and the exposed areas of your scalp.
The following are the goals and benefits of hair bleaching :
- Change hair color
This hair treatment can drastically change hair color.
This process allows you to achieve a hair color that is much lighter or even whiter than your natural hair color.
- Helps apply hair color to make it more fashionable
Bleaching hair is the first step to make hairstyle or color more fashionable. For example with bright colors like red, purple, or blue.
The natural pigments in the hair that are removed by bleaching allow these bright colors to appear with greater intensity.
- Gives dimension to hair
Bleaching hair can give dimension to hair by applying dye to certain parts only.
This creates a natural effect that looks like lighter hair when exposed to sunlight.
- Helps dissolve old colors
If you’ve already dyed your hair a darker color and want to change it to a lighter shade, bleaching can help remove the old color by destroying the existing hair pigment.
This is an important step in the process of completely changing your hair color.
- Provides options for creative hairstyles
This hair bleaching can also be an alternative choice in creating a creative and unique hairstyle.
You can create effects like ombre, rainbow hair, or unique color combinations according to your personal preferences.
Want to know how to safely dye your hair?
All About Hair Color
You need to know that hair gets its natural color from a pigment molecule called melanin.
The two types of melanin commonly found in human hair are eumelanin and pheomelanin.
Eumelanin is responsible for the black and brown colors in human skin and hair, while pheomelanin gives hair its red color.
Each person’s hair color can change, because these two types of melanin are present in different ratios in different people.
The bleaching agent or substance in bleaching products can remove melanin from hair strands to lighten them.
You can use any type of hair-bleaching agent, depending on its durability or strength.
The first ingredient is called a lightener, which can change the color of black hair to brown.
While stronger ingredients, called powder bleach, can turn black hair light brown.
Unlike hair dye, the ingredients in bleaching are more aggressive and can significantly affect the health and texture of hair.
If you decide to bleach your hair, pay close attention to the products you use, the procedure, and the duration of the bleaching agent’s durability on your hair.
Before Bleaching Hair
There are several things you need to know before bleaching your hair.
The ingredients you can use for hair bleaching are aggressive products.
Coloring your hair can open up the hair cuticle and dissolve its natural color (melanin). The longer you leave it on, the more the protein bonds (keratin) are destroyed.
The bleaching agents in bleaching agents work by penetrating the hair shaft and oxidizing the melanin granules that give hair its color.
The process causes hair damage. If you decide to do a hair bleaching procedure, make sure your hair is in a healthy condition beforehand.
If your hair is dry or damaged, try waiting a month or two before you bleach it.
In the meantime, you can prepare your hair by caring for it to make it healthy again.
You can start preparing your hair at least two weeks before bleaching. In addition, Before Bleaching Hair, Pay Attention to These 5 Important Things.
To prepare your hair you will need:
- Avoid styling your hair with chemicals, such as coloring your hair.
- Avoid styling your hair with hot tools, do not use shampoos and products that contain sulfates and alcohol.
- Treat your hair with a deep conditioning mask at least twice a week before your bleaching schedule.
- Coat your hair with coconut oil the night before the bleaching procedure.
How to Bleach Hair
Most experts recommend that hair bleaching procedures be performed by a professional.
This is because the bleaching agent in bleaching agents can penetrate the hair cuticle, making it more susceptible to damage.
If you don’t do it properly, bleaching can really affect the quality of your hair.
Meanwhile, if you still want to do it yourself at home, use the correct tools and follow the instructions very carefully.
Here are the general procedures for hair bleaching that you need to know:
- Mix the base ingredients and bleach together.
- Apply the mixture to your hair evenly using a brush or comb, making sure not to get it on your clothes or skin.
- Cover your hair with a shower cap and let the mixture sit on your hair for 15 to 30 minutes. The exact amount of time you leave the mixture on your hair depends on your hair type, the color you want to achieve, and the type and volume of the base material.
- Once you are ready to rinse the ingredients, shampoo and condition your hair. If you have an extra nourishing conditioner, use it. Rinse once more and let your hair dry.
- If the color you get is according to your wishes, continue by applying toner to even out the hair color. If you plan to use permanent hair dye, you may need to wait between bleaching and coloring your hair.
After Bleaching Hair
Here’s what happens to hair after bleaching :
- Hair texture changes. If you bleach your hair regularly, it can cause permanent changes to your hair texture. Your hair may become drier, thicker, or coarser after frequent bleaching.
- Thickening of hair strands. Hair bleaching agents can cause the cuticles to swell, making the hair appear thicker after the bleaching process.
- Hair color changes. Hair will change color in unexpected ways. For example, if your natural hair color is black, it may turn reddish-orange afterward.
Benefits of Hair Bleaching
This bleaching procedure is highly recommended when you want to color your hair.
The following are the advantages of hair bleaching :
- Helps change colors to brighter ones
Bleaching is the easiest way to change your hair color to brighter or blonder.
- Fast results
If you color your hair without bleaching, the new color will not come out immediately. With bleaching, the process and results you will get are faster.
- Beautiful hair transition
The hair has a beautiful transition color and makes it easy for you to achieve the hair color you desire most.
Side Effects of Hair Bleaching
Here are the side effects of hair bleaching that you need to know:
- Hair damage
Damaged hair can become unmanageable, frizzy, and lose its natural shine. Intensive care and use of the right hair care products are needed to minimize damage.
- Irritation of the scalp
The chemicals in bleaching can cause irritation to the scalp. Especially if you have sensitive skin. This can result in itching, redness, or even sores.
- Loss of hair strength
This hair bleaching can weaken the hair structure.
This means it is more susceptible to damage which can result in loss of hair elasticity and resilience.
- Changes in hair texture
The bleaching process can also change the texture of your hair. Hair that was originally straight may become coarser or become curly afterward.
- Fading hair color
Bleached hair color can also fade or change over time due to sun exposure or repeated washing.
- Possibility of poisoning
The body is at risk of poisoning from the ingredients contained in hair bleach, such as ethyl alcohol, ammonium persulfate, and hydrogen peroxide.
Hair Care Tips After Bleaching
Here are some tips for caring for bleached hair that you should know:
- Minimize the use of conditioner
Most conditioners contain chemicals that are good for your hair. However, when you bleach your hair, it becomes more susceptible to chemical damage.
- Use hair care products made from natural or organic ingredients.
The hair bleaching process exposes hair to quite significant amounts of chemicals.
Therefore, it is better to limit chemical shampoo products to neutralize the scalp.
Alternatively, use organic shampoos which are less likely to contain harmful chemicals, such as parabens, sulfates, synthetic dyes, and synthetic fragrances.
- Avoid using hair styling tools
Hair styling tools that use heat can damage hair. The damage can be more aggressive after bleaching.
That’s why, it’s best not to use hot styling tools for a while.
- Use hair vitamins regularly
Apply hair vitamins correctly, from the ends of the hair to the scalp. This is done so that the vitamins penetrate the hair shaft and strengthen it from within.
This treatment can be done for one hour, and repeat twice a week.
- Dilute the shampoo with a little water.
Shampoo contains chemicals that can damage bleached hair.
It is a good idea to dilute the shampoo you use to wash your hair every time you wash your hair to minimize exposure to chemicals from hair-cleaning products.
- Comb hair only when wet
Hair that has just been through the bleaching process is more prone to tangling and snagging.
It is better to use a special comb with wide and large teeth. Brush gently and comb while it is still wet slowly to make it easier to untangle.
Hair Bleaching Cost
The cost of hair bleaching varies and can change at any time. The lowest cost that is often set is 600/- in Indian rupees. The difference in cost depends on:
- Selected salon.
- Selected material products.
- Current hair length.
- The hairdresser you choose. Usually the more professional or well-known the hairdresser, the more expensive it will be.
There are still other factors that cause hair bleaching costs to vary.
So, have you considered carefully whether to bleach your hair?
Good care is needed for bleached hair to keep it healthy.