How to Bleach Your Hair

Before we go deep into the process on how to bleach your hair, we will learn a bit about what is hair bleaching. Hair color is a result of the pigmentation of hair follicles. It occurs due to two types of melanin; eumelanin and pheomelanin. Simply put, if there is more melanin present in hair, then its color will be darker and if there is less melanin, the hair color will be lighter. Hair bleaching is nothing but the process of removal of hair color from the hair strand. But, how does a bleach work? Ammonium persulfate or hydrogen peroxide are the main ingredients found in hair bleaches. They are also called oxidizing agents. These agents change the composition of melanin in hair by oxidation. As a result melanin turns white or colorless. Given below are tips on how to bleach your hair:

Things You Will Need

• Bleaching powder
• Toner
• Hair color additive
• White creme developer
• Hair coloring brush
• Shampoo and deep conditioner
• Mixing bowls either in plastic or glass; no metal bowls
• Protective eye gear
• Shower cap

Step 1: Pour about three ounces of creme developer and two scoops of bleaching powder in a glass or plastic mixing bowl. Mix it well.

Step 2: Now, part your hair into four sections. It is better to start at the back and not at the roots because you would not like to have lighter roots and darker ends.

Step 3: You can now apply bleach to your hair with the hair coloring brush. Leave a gap of one and a half inches from the hair roots and then apply it to the rest of your hair. Be careful not to massage your scalp too much with it.

Step 4: Tie your hair underneath the shower cap. Keep it like this for around sixty minutes but not more than that because there is always a risk of chemical burns which may destroy your hair.

Step 5: The next step is to wash your hair with a good shampoo which has PH neutralization properties. It will also help to stop further acidic or basic chemical reactions that may occur in your scalp. This step is very necessary because this will formally end the bleaching process.

Step 6: If your hair does not turn out as desired, you can go for a protein treatment and then for a deep conditioning. This will ensure that your hair is moisturized well.

Step 7: Repeat the process after waiting for about a week. Your hair color should become light yellowish. Two to three sittings are enough for the process. Wait for at least a week between the treatments.

Step 8: Now, it is time to tone up your hair again to get the desired shade you want, but it is recommended that you don't protein treat or condition your hair at this stage. Along with the toner, mix 30 volume creme developer in a mixing bowl and add a few drops of hair color additive depending on how golden or platinum you want your hair to be.

Step 9: Let it set for 40 minutes or as given in the directions for the toner; then wash, condition and dry. Look into the mirror and voila! a perfect blond.

But, before you start the whole process of bleaching your hair, there are a few words of caution. Always wear protective eye gear, because you would not like to mess up with your eyes. Wear a loose fitting shirt or something which you can take off easily and never use any metal clips or utensils. Though you have some ideas on how to bleach hair, it is always better to take professional help because they have the knowledge and experience on how to bleach your hair. But never mind, with practice you will get the right hair coloring idea. So, happy bleaching your hair? You might become the next blonde sensation.