Bleaching your hair can improve your appearance. This is an important part when you want to change your hair to another color, especially if you want a pastel color. If you want to get a silver or platinum color, you will have to do several bleaching and toning sessions. This process is not recommended for hair that has been relaxed (almost similar to straightened) and has been texturized with chemicals.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Preparing Hair and Bleaching Materials
Step 1. Start with dry, untreated hair
Do not bleach hair that has been relaxed, straightened, or chemically texturized as this can damage the hair, which is irreparable. You can do this on freshly shampooed hair, but the hair must be completely dry before you begin the process.
Bleaching short hair is easier to do than long hair. If you've never done it before, or if you don't feel confident enough, it's a good idea to go to a hair salon
Step 2. Divide your hair into braids if you have long hair
First, divide your hair into at least 8 sections, then twist each section into a braid containing two coils of hair. This will stretch the hair and make it easier to handle. The number of coils of hair to be made into a braid is not important.
If you have short hair, such as TWA or teeny weeny afro (short hair with a maximum length of 5 cm), you don't need to braid your hair. Just comb the hair to remove tangles and tangles
Step 3. Apply oil or petrolatum (petroleum jelly) to the hairline
Be sure to apply it along the hairline, including the sides and back of the head. You can also apply it to the tips and edges of the ears. This is useful for protecting the skin from bleaching agents.
You can use any oil, such as olive oil, coconut oil, and so on
Step 4. Put on plastic gloves and old clothes
The best option is a button-down shirt because it's easy to put on and take off. If you don't have used clothes, you can hang an old towel or a special robe to dye your hair on your shoulders.
If you are afraid the bleach will damage the floor and/or workbench, cover the floor/table with paper or plastic. You can use newsprint or a plastic tablecloth
Step 5. Measure and put the bleach and developer powder (mixing liquid) in a non-metallic bowl
These two materials can be purchased separately or in a kit. However, make sure they are both of the same brand. Since each brand is different, read the directions on the product packaging to find out exactly what proportion to use. In general, you should use equal amounts of bleach and developer powder.
- If possible, use scalp-safe powders and developers.
- Use an adequate amount of developer to wet your hair, like when you apply a hair mask. If you have shoulder-length hair, 120 ml of developer may suffice.
- Developer volume 20 is the safest and non-destructive option, but you can use developer volume 30 to bleach your hair if you're sure. Understand that a volume 30 developer will bleach your hair 3 stages and can be done much faster than a volume 20 developer, which only bleaches hair 2 stages at a slower rate.
Step 6. Mix the bleaching powder and developer until it reaches a dough-like consistency
You can do this using the handle of a coloring brush or a plastic spoon (not a metal one). Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl as often as possible to mix the ingredients evenly. The color should be consistent with no streaks or uneven parts.
When mixed, the color of the bleach will change to white, blue, or purple depending on the brand used
Part 2 of 3: Applying Bleaching
Step 1. Unwrap one braid and clip the other, if necessary
Select the braid that is at the front hairline and untwist it. If you have very long hair, another twist could get in the way of the process. Pin the other braid back.
Skip this step if you have very short hair
Step 2. Set the timer to 30 minutes to calculate how long the bleach will stick to the hair
If you bleach all sections of your hair first, then set the timer, the coloring of your hair may become uneven. This happens because bleaching changes the color of the hair in certain areas longer than in others.
- Check the recommended time on the product packaging. If it is recommended that the bleach should not stick for more than 25 minutes, set the timer to 25 minutes.
- If the timer goes off before you finish applying bleach, stop the process, then wash and dry your hair. After that, continue to apply bleach to hair that has not been treated.
- To prevent the hair on the front of the head from getting lighter than the back, try applying developer volume 20 on the front and volume 30 on the back of the head. This will cause the front hair to turn gray more slowly, and you can apply developer to the front of your head first. Next, apply developer volume 30 on the back, and the hair in this section will turn white quickly.
Step 3. Apply bleach to the hair, starting at 1 cm from the hair roots
If you've never bleached your hair, you can apply it using a dye brush until it reaches the ends of your hair. If your hair has already been bleached, apply the bleach to the part of the hair that has been bleached.
- If the strand you are opening is wider than the dye brush, divide it in half, and handle the two sections of hair separately.
- If you have very short hair, you can bleach your hair with a brush, just like when you paint on canvas.
Step 4. Twist and pin the hair, then repeat the process
Handle 1 strand of hair at a time. If necessary, first divide a twist into sections. When you finish the second hair, twist it and pin it. Start at the front of the head and work your way up to the nape of the neck.
- Don't forget, always leave a distance of about 1 cm between the bleaching and the scalp. You will deal with the roots of the hair later.
- You don't need to braid your treated hair. What needs to be done is to make it not hinder the bleaching process on hair that has not been treated.
Step 5. Apply bleach to the missing edges, roots and hair
This should be done at the last minute because it is close to the scalp and the whitening process is very fast. Apply bleach to the roots of the hair first, then proceed to the edges of the hair. Check for missed spots, then apply more bleach if necessary.
With very short hair, you may have to part your hair with the handle of a dye brush to apply the bleach to the roots
Step 6. Wait for the timer to sound
In general, this process takes approximately 30 minutes. Never allow bleach to stay on your hair for more than the recommended time on the package, even if the color isn't bright enough. Hair can fall out if you leave the bleach on for too long.
Check the progress every 5 minutes or so. Maybe the process can be faster than what is stated on the packaging
Step 7. Wash off the bleach using a neutralizing (deodorizing) shampoo, and let the hair dry
This is a very important action because it will stop the bleaching process. Maybe the hair will look yellowish or bright orange. Don't worry, this can be fixed by toning.
Always rinse off the bleach using cold water. While warm water doesn't affect your hair color, it can make it frizzy
Step 8. Repeat the bleaching process if necessary
Most people with black hair need to bleach at least 2 times to get the color they want. Luckily, you don't have to leave the next bleaching on your hair for a long time. About 15 minutes might be enough.
- You should apply a second bleaching the next day. However, if your hair looks damaged, wait 2-3 days before applying your next bleach.
- You may have to do 3-4 bleaching sessions to get the desired level of brightness.
Part 3 of 3: Toning and Conditioning Hair
Step 1. Buy a hair toner
You can use a blue or purple toning shampoo to remove orange or yellow hair. However, if you want platinum blonde hair, you'll need to mix toner with a volume developer of 20 or 30.
Each brand of toner will be different. Read the directions on the product packaging to find out how to use and mix it
Step 2. Apply toner on hair with a clean dye brush
To do this, you do not need to part your hair. Make a horizontal or vertical section of the hair with the handle of the dye brush, then apply the toner starting from the roots of the hair.
If using a toning shampoo, wet your hair first, then apply the product like a regular shampoo
Step 3. Allow the toner to continue to adhere to the hair according to the directions on the package
In general, this should take about 10-20 minutes. The toner will start changing hair color from white to purple. Don't worry, this is completely normal.
- If you use a toning shampoo, you may only need to leave it on for about 5-10 minutes.
- Toner can cause stains. It's a good idea to use a plastic shower cap to cover your hair.
Step 4. Rinse off the toner, then follow up with a moisturizing mask
The bleaching process can be damaging, and if applied to curly hair it can do even more damage. Moisturizing masks help repair damaged hair as they moisturize and nourish the hair.
- Do not use products that contain sulfates. This product does not affect hair color, but can make hair dry.
- You can also use natural masks and don't have to buy factory-made products.
Step 5. Allow hair to dry on its own and avoid using heat to style hair for 3-4 weeks
This is an important thing. Bleaching or heat can damage the hair. And if the two are combined, the damage to the hair will get worse.
- When styling your hair with heat, make sure your hair is completely dry. Spray a heat protectant and use a low heat setting.
- Blow drying (styling hair with a hairdryer) is included in the use of heat. Try letting your hair partially dry before you style it with a hairdryer. Don't forget to use a heat protectant!
Step 6. Keep hair moisturized with a weekly deep conditioning mask
You may have gotten used to moisturizing your hair, but you should be more diligent about doing it after you bleach your hair.
Protein-free moisturizing masks are a great option. However, you can also use other types of hair masks, including natural ones
Step 7. Trim your hair every 5-6 weeks to get rid of split ends
In addition to reducing tangling, this action can also prevent further damage. If left untrimmed, the split ends will continue to spread upward, causing more damage.
Don't rely on factory-made products for split ends. This product only provides temporary repair and cannot repair permanent damage
Tips
- Don't forget to always take care of bleached hair.
- If the timer has gone off after 30 minutes before the bleaching is complete, stop the process, and wash off any bleach that has stuck to it. Let the hair dry, and continue the bleaching process.
- Instead of bleaching all sections of your hair, consider using a balayage or highlighting. It helps reduce breakage while brightening hair to some extent.
Warning
- Do not use a metal bowl or stirrer as this will react with the bleaching agent. Use objects made of glass, plastic, or ceramic.
- Do not allow the bleach to continue to stick to the hair for more than the recommended time on the product packaging.
- Never apply bleach to wet or chemically straightened hair.
