In recent times, gray hair is very popular among the people. However, if your natural hair color is not blonde, dyeing your hair gray takes a lot of time, money and dedication. If your natural hair color is black, you will need to go through the bleaching process several times and wait weeks to get the color you want. You can dye your hair yourself at home, but it's best to have your hair colored at a salon.
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Part 1 of 5: Preparation Stage
Step 1. Choose the most suitable method
Choose whether to use a home or professional hair dye kit, or dye your hair at a salon. Consider the costs, processes, and risks involved with each method.
- If you are going to dye your hair at a salon, get to know the salons in your area. Each salon has different rates and products. Call or check the salon's website on the internet (if any) to find out what paint products to use and how much they cost. Ask the hairdresser directly about the process and the cost of the hair coloring provided.
- If you use the hair dye kit method, look online for the best products for black hair. One of the most popular products is L'Oréal Paris Preference Les Blondissimes LB01: Extra Light Ash Blonde. This product doesn't dye their hair platinum, but some people claim they can achieve a gray blonde in one coat.
- The use of professional quality products (bleach, developer, red gold corrector, and toner) is the most preferred way of those who dye their hair at home. This method offers greater flexibility and strength than hair dye kits. In addition, you have the opportunity to buy all the equipment in bulk so that it is more economical.
Step 2. Adjust the cost
Regardless of the method used, it usually takes several bleaches to get a nice gray color.
You should consider time and cost (for example, multiple salon visits, or professional-quality paint) before deciding which method to use
Step 3. Consider the quality of your hair before bleaching it
An expert once said, if your hair color is not light or medium, and the length is short, thick, and healthy, it is best to bleach your hair at a salon. After that, the hair roots can be done by yourself.
- Bleaching will definitely damage the hair. Therefore, the process should start on hair that is in the healthiest condition possible, regardless of the method chosen.
- Even if you think your hair is already in good health, improve its quality by avoiding chemicals and heat for weeks/months before bleaching. You can even try using a deep-conditioning hair mask every week.
Step 4. Improve hair health
Before it's time to bleach your hair, avoid using harsh products and chemicals, as well as styling tools that use heat. If your hair feels damaged, deep-condition it weekly until it feels healthy enough to bleach.
- Experts recommend leaving a gap of two weeks for each chemical application to your hair. This time may change depending on how healthy your hair is.
- Use a good quality shampoo and conditioner that moisturizes your hair without adding deposits or stripping your hair of its natural oils. Look for shampoos and conditioners that: have a low pH, contain oils (argan, avocado, olive), glycerin, glyceryl stearate, propylene glycol, sodium lactate, sodium PCA, and alcohol that starts with the letter "c" or "s."
- Avoid: products with strong scents, alcohol that has "prop" in its name, sulfates, and all products that claim to add volume to your hair.
Step 5. Gather ingredients for bleaching hair at home (optional)
If you prefer to dye your hair at home, feel free to start bleaching your hair. The following ingredients can be purchased at beauty stores or on the internet:
- Bleach powder: this material is packaged in packages or tubes. If you plan to bleach your hair more than once, use tube packs as they are cheaper and last longer.
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Developer cream: This cream reacts with bleaching powder and is available in volumes between 10 and 40. The larger the volume, the faster the hair turns blonde. However, the resulting damage is also getting worse.
- Experts recommend a cream in a volume of 10-20. It takes a long time to lighten your hair, but the damage it causes is tolerable.
- If you have soft and brittle hair, use a volume of 10 cream. For dark and coarse hair, you may need 30-40 volumes of cream.
- If you are in doubt, just use a volume 20 cream because it is the most effective and safe. Do not use 50 volume cream for painting inside the house.
- Red gold corrector (optional): This material is often packaged in small packets and added to the bleach mixture to reduce yellowing. This step is optional, but highly recommended because the whiter your hair, the better the gray will appear.
Step 6. Get toner (if bleaching/painting is done at home)
Toner is an ingredient that converts yellow to white, making it ideal as a base for grays. Toner is available in a variety of colors, including blue, silver and purple. Even if you don't dye your hair at home, toner can be used weekly to maintain the color of your hair.
- You can use toner to neutralize unwanted colors in your hair. For example, to neutralize hair that is too light in gold, use a toner with the opposite color of gold, such as blue or purple.
- Some of the toner can be applied directly to the hair, and some need to be mixed with a developer. Both types are equally effective, so choose the one that suits you.
Step 7. Buy a gray hair dye (if you paint it at home)
Gray paint can be found at beauty stores or online retailers like Amazon for professional-quality paint. Make sure you look at product reviews before buying.
If the veins on the underside of your wrist appear blue or purple, look for a 'cool white' gray. If the veins appear green or yellow, go for a warmer, iron-like gray
Step 8. Purchase a hair dye kit (if you paint it at home)
If you bleach, apply toner, and dye your hair at home, what you'll need is a dye brush, a plastic mixing bowl, a plastic spoon, gloves, hair clips, some towels, and a plastic shower cap. Do not use iron tools as they will react with the bleach.
Step 9. Buy good quality shampoo and conditioner
Purple shampoo and conditioner is specially made for gray hair to help maintain color and prevent strands from turning yellow/blonde. If you can't find this shampoo, at least buy a shampoo and conditioner made specifically for dyed hair.
Some shampoos can even retain color in your hair when you use them. If you don't want to use this shampoo, at least buy a hair dye treatment to maintain the color and save on the cost of repainting
Part 2 of 5: Bleaching Hair at Home
Step 1. Do a patch and strand test before bleaching your hair
A patch test is necessary to make sure you are not allergic to the bleach mixture. A strand test is performed to calculate how long the bleach needs to be left on the hair.
- To do a patch test, make an adequate amount of the bleach mixture and apply a small amount behind your ear. Leave it on for 30 minutes, then wipe it clean and don't touch or wet the area for 48 hours. The mixture is safe to use if the skin remains healthy after 48 hours.
- To do a strand test, prepare a small amount of the bleach mixture and apply it to one strand of your hair. Check every 10-15 minutes until your hair is the color you want. Record the time so you know how long the bleach needs to wait on your hair.
- If you're only doing one test, do a patch test. Severe allergic reactions can result in death.
Step 2. Apply coconut oil to hair before bleaching (optional)
Rub coconut oil on your hands to warm it up, then massage it into your hair and scalp. You don't need to wash off the oil before bleaching your hair.
- Leave the coconut oil on your hair for three hours before bleaching. If possible, leave your hair overnight before bleaching your hair.
- Coconut oil is an excellent moisturizer because the molecules are small enough to penetrate the hair shaft.
Step 3. Protect your skin and clothes
Wear old clothes that can be soiled and cover your shoulders with a towel. Wear disposable rubber gloves to protect your hands.
Keep a few stacks of small towels handy in case you need to clean the bleach mixture on your skin or elsewhere
Step 4. Place the bleaching powder in the mixing bowl
Use a plastic spoon to add the bleaching powder as needed. There should also be instructions for use on the packaging of the whitening powder.
If whitening powder doesn't provide instructions, use a 1:1 ratio of powder to developer cream. Add one spoon of powder and one spoon of developer and mix, repeating if needed until sufficient amount is obtained
Step 5. Combine the whitening powder with the developer cream
Add an appropriate amount of developer to the bowl of bleaching powder, and mix with a plastic spoon. Stir until the mixture is thick and has a consistent consistency, like broth.
The ratio of whitening powder to developer cream is 1:1 (1 scoop of whitening powder = 1 tablespoon of developer cream), unless otherwise stated in the instructions
Step 6. Add red gold corrector to the mixture
Once the powder and developer have mixed, add some red gold corrector to the mixture. Read the instructions for use on the packaging to find out the number of correctors that need to be inserted.
Step 7. Apply the mixed cream to dry hair that has not been washed for the last 24-48 hours
Use a color brush to apply the mixture to your hair. Work with a 2.5-5 cm strip of hair and start at the ends of the hair. Apply the bleach mixture in an upward motion, leaving about 2.5 cm from the hair roots (this section will be worked on later).
- The warmth of the scalp will cause the roots of the hair to grow (glow) faster than the rest of the hair so this section is done last.
- Work from the back of the head all the way to the front. This way, you can monitor which parts of your hair have been bleached. Plus, the bleach mixture won't stain your clothes either.
- Use bobby pins to section the hair to work with, unless your hair is too short.
Step 8. Check that the bleach mixture has been applied evenly to your hair
Once the bleach mixture has been applied to all parts of your hair (including the roots), make sure your hair is completely covered by the bleach mixture.
- This can be done by massaging the hair around your head and feeling the part which is drier than the other. If found, add the bleach mixture to the area and massage it into the hair strands. Do not massage into the scalp, as it may cause irritation.
- Look at the back of your head with the help of a mirror.
Step 9. Cover your hair with a plastic shield
You can wear a clear plastic shower cap. When the bleach starts working, your scalp may feel itchy and sore. Don't worry, this is normal.
- If the itching and pain is unbearable, remove the plastic shower cap and wash the bleach off your hair. If your hair color is still too dark, you can bleach it again with a lower volume developer within 2 weeks if your hair is healthy enough.
- At this point, don't expose your hair to heat, especially from styling tools that use heat. Your hair may fall out completely.
Step 10. Check your hair periodically
After 15 minutes, check the strands to see how the bleaching process is progressing. Use a towel to clean the bleach mixture so that the color in the strands can be seen clearly.
- If your hair still looks dark, change the plastic wrap and let it sit for 10 minutes.
- Continue your checks every 10 minutes until the hair is completely blonde.
Step 11. Don't let the bleach stay on your hair for more than 50 minutes
Your hair can be damaged and fall out completely. Bleach can break down hair so you need to be really careful.
Step 12. Wash the bleach from the hair
Take a shower cap/plastic wrap and run cold water through your hair until all the bleach is gone without any residue. Wash, condition, and rinse your hair, then dry it gently with a clean towel.
Step 13. Determine if the bleaching needs to be repeated
Your hair should now be pale or light yellow. Thus, you can start the hair coloring process. However, if your hair color is orange or still dark, it's best to wait 2 weeks before bleaching your hair again.
- Remember, the darker the blonde, the darker the gray will be. Therefore, you need to bleach your hair as brightly as you want your hair to be.
- Note that there is no need to reapply bleach at the roots if the roots are lighter in color than the rest of the hair. enough bleach is given on the part you want to lighten.
- You may even be able to increase the waiting period to a few weeks before bleaching your hair again. Depending on the darkness of the color, the roughness and thickness of your hair, it may take up to 5 bleaches before the hair color turns pale yellow.
Part 3 of 5: Using Toner at Home
Step 1. Prepare yourself
As with the bleaching process, wear old clothes and gloves. Prepare a pile of towels and make sure your hair is completely dry.
Step 2. Make a toner mixture
If the toner you purchased is already mixed and ready to use, you can skip this step. Mix the toner and developer according to the instructions on the package.
The toner to developer ratio is 1:2
Step 3. Apply toner to damp hair
Use a dye brush to paint the hair. Do the same technique as when you bleach your hair (from the tips to the roots and from the back of the head to the front).
Step 4. Make sure the toner is evenly distributed
Run your fingers between your hair to make sure the toner covers your hair well and evenly.
Use a mirror to look at the back of your head and make sure the dye has completely covered your hair
Step 5. Protect your hair with plastic wrap or a shower cap
Leave the toner in your hair for as long as the instructions on the package suggest. Depending on the strength of the toner and the color of your hair, your hair will usually be bleached for 10 minutes.
Step 6. Check your hair every 10 minutes
Depending on the type of toner used and the brightness of your hair, the time may be sooner or later than expected.
Check your hair every 10 minutes to make sure your hair isn't turning blue: use a towel to wash some of the toner off the strands to see the color it produces. If the resulting hair color is not as desired, give it more toner and protect it again with plastic / shower cap
Step 7. Remove the toner from the hair
Run cold water through your hair until all the toner is clean without any residue. Apply shampoo and conditioner as usual, rinse, then dry hair gently with a clean towel.
Step 8. Check your hair
Air your hair or if you can't wait use a hairdryer on the coldest setting. After that, the bleaching and tonering process is complete and the hair color should now be white.
If you missed a section of hair, wait a few days and repeat the process on the section of hair that was left
Part 4 of 5: Dyeing Hair Gray at Home
Step 1. Do a patch and strand test before dyeing your hair
If the desired shade of gray is not very specific, you can skip the strand test. However, patch testing should be performed because allergic reactions are life-threatening.
Perform a patch test according to the directions on the package of the hair dye you purchased. Usually, this process is done by applying a small amount of developer (or in some cases, the whole mixture) on the skin behind the ear, and then leaving it on for 48 hours
Step 2. Protect your clothes and skin
Put on old clothes and put an old towel on your shoulder. Wear vinyl or latex rubber gloves. Keep a stack of towels handy in case you need to wipe paint off your skin.
You may need to rub a little petroleum jelly or a thick moisturizer along your hairline to prevent the paint from staining your scalp
Step 3. Prepare the paint mixture
Preparation for making the paint mix depends on the shade of gray you want. You can buy a box paint kit, but we recommend using a professional-quality product.
When bleaching your hair at home, use a plastic bowl and brush to mix the paint
Step 4. Prepare your hair for dyeing
Read the instructions on the paint package to see if you dyed your hair wet or dry. If you have long hair, divide it into sections with bobby pins.
Consider pinning your hair into 8 sections: 4 sections on each side, moving vertically from the nape of the neck to the forehead. If your hair is thick enough, you may need to add a few sections (at least 2 extra sections at the front of your head)
Step 5. Apply the paint all the way through your hair
Use a brush to apply the paint to your hair, starting from the tips to the roots. Stop the spread about 1 cm from the hair roots.
The heat from the scalp will cause the dye at the hair roots to process faster. Therefore, the root part should be worked on last
Step 6. Apply the paint to the roots of your hair
If the length of your hair has been covered with paint, next you will need to paint the sections of hair near the roots.
Step 7. Make sure the hair dye is evenly distributed
Once all of your hair is covered in dye, use a mirror to examine the back of your head. Gently comb your hair with your fingers to feel the spread of the dye.
If you feel a part of your hair is dry, apply paint to it
Step 8. Cover your hair and wait
Cover your hair with plastic wrap or a shower cap and wait for the dyeing process to finish. The length of this process depends on the paint used. On average, this process takes 30 minutes.
Step 9. Check your hair
Some paint manufacturers will include general runtime suggestions. For example, between 20-40 minutes. After 20 minutes, you can wipe some of the dye off of a section of your hair with a towel to check the resulting color.
- If you are satisfied with the color, the hair can be washed. If you want the color to be even lighter, reapply the dye and this time leave it longer. Just make sure you don't let the paint go past the time specified on the package as it will damage and break your hair.
- If you're unsure how long to let the paint sit, it's a good idea to do a strand test before painting. This will give you an idea of how long it will take for the paint to get the color you want.
Step 10. Wash the dye off your hair
When the color is finished processing, rinse with cold water then wash with shampoo and conditioner as usual.
Step 11. Treat hair gently
After washing your hair, dry it gently with a towel. Don't rub the towel into your hair. It's best not to use heat styling tools for weeks after dyeing your hair.
It's best, completely stop using hair styling tools that use heat
Step 12. Enjoy your hair
Remember, you need to actively care for bleached hair. Even if you have dyed it gray, your hair is still sensitive so take good care of it.
Part 5 of 5: Taking Care of Your Hair
Step 1. Treat your hair very carefully
Bleached hair is brittle and damaged hair, even at its best. Take care of your hair, don't shampoo it if it feels dry and don't comb, straighten and curl your hair excessively.
- It's best to just let your hair dry. If you are using a hairdryer, use the coldest setting.
- Do not expose your hair to heat or manipulate the natural texture of your hair as this will break your hair. If it breaks, the short broken hair will stick out of your head by itself
- If you must straighten your hair, use a round comb and blow dryer on the coldest setting. The results obtained are no different.
- Comb your hair with a wide-tooth comb.
Step 2. Treat hair with a prewash primer (optional)
Bleached hair has wide pores and is easily washed off by water. A pre-wash primer can help repel water and protect your hair color.
Prewash primers can be purchased at salons, beauty product stores, pharmacies, and online stores. This product contains coconut or almond oil to increase the moisture in your hair before washing it
Step 3. Allow time between washes
Many experts recommend washing your hair only once a week after bleaching it. Shampoo washes off the hair's natural oils, and bleached hair will require a lot of the hair's natural oils.
- If you are active and sweat a lot or use products for your hair, you can wash your hair twice a week. You can also use dry shampoo when washing your hair.
- When drying hair, gently pat and squeeze hair. Don't rub the towel into your hair as it will damage it even more.
Step 4. Know which products to use for your hair
Use products specifically made for bleached, dyed, and damaged hair: at least use a purple toning shampoo and deep-conditioner. Avoid products that add volume to your hair.
A good hair oil will make your hair look smoother and straighter. Some people suggest using virgin coconut oil to straighten and condition hair
Step 5. Apply deep-conditioner to your hair at least once a week
Buy a good product at a salon or beauty shop. Do not use over-the-counter brands, as they will only coat your hair making it feel very waxy and heavy.
Step 6. Don't let the hair roots grow too long
Try updating your hair color when the roots grow to a maximum of 2.5 cm. This will make your hair appear more even. If it is allowed to grow too long, it will be difficult to touch it without touching the rest of the hair.
Step 7. Know how to touch your roots and hair
The bleaching, tonering, and root dyeing process is almost the same for your entire hair. The difference is that this time you only work on the roots of the hair.
- If your overall hair color needs polishing, apply toner all over your hair after bleaching the roots. Then, after rinsing, apply gray hair dye all over your hair. However, this time start at the roots and end at the tips of the hair as the color at the roots needs to be propagated.
- Some experts recommend that you leave some of the roots untouched for healthier skin and scalp follicles. If you want, don't apply bleach all the way to the roots of your hair so it doesn't get on your scalp.
Tips
- Although more expensive, if you have coarse, dark hair, and/or have never been bleached before so that bleaching needs to be done repeatedly, do it at a salon.
- The whiter your hair, the purer the gray will be. Therefore, make your hair as white as possible before dyeing it gray.
- Before dyeing your hair gray, try using a hair color app to see how you look with gray hair. Coloring your hair takes a lot of time and money, so make sure you really want to change your hair color before wasting money on damaging your hair.
- Dye your hair within the time it allows to correct mistakes (if they occur). Make sure there are no job interviews, school activities, weddings, during the dyeing process.
- Take the time to work on your hair. Put a long time span between bleaching and dyeing and use it to condition your hair to its best condition.
- Toner may need to be applied more than once.
- Gray hair, like any hair that needs regular bleaching, is time-consuming and expensive to maintain. Think carefully or you'll be surprised at the cost and effort that goes into it even before the dyeing process begins.
- If the color results are different from what you expected, wait 2 weeks before dyeing your hair with permanent dye.
- If you decide to change color after you've bleached your hair, you may need fillers to fill in the pigment that was missing from your white hair before you dyed it.
- If you're not sure which shade of gray will suit your skin tone, head to a wig shop and try different wigs. Remember, there are shops that require you to pay to try on the wigs and the staff will help with the wig installation. It's a good idea to call before visiting to make sure employees have time to help you
- If you insist on using heat styling tools, make sure your hair is heat protected first. This product is available in the form of a spray, cream, and mousse, and can be purchased at a beauty store or salon.
- The bleaching process works best on healthy hair that has not previously been dyed, permed, straightened, or treated with chemicals.
- If you dye your hair at home, the amount of products you use will depend on the thickness of your hair, as well as the brand purchased. Try to always exaggerate the product purchased, just in case.
Warning
- Try not to dirty the skin with hair dye.
- Clean the bleach thoroughly as it can damage and burn hair.
- If you bleach damaged or weak hair, you run a serious risk of breakage or hair loss. Do not use hot styling tools or shampoo regularly before bleaching your hair.
- Bleaching will damage the hair. Do it with care and keep your hair in good condition!
- If you don't wear gloves, the bleach will sting your skin, turning it an ugly white color and making it feel dry and itchy.
- Swimming in chlorinated water will turn your hair slightly greenish. If you must swim, apply conditioner and put it in a swim cap before going in the water.
- Do not bleach your hair immediately after washing. You have cleansed the natural oils that protect the scalp. It's best to wait 24 hours or your scalp and hair will be damaged.
- Be patient with your hair. If you bleach too quickly, your hair will break, fall out, or burn due to chemicals.
- To maintain healthy hair, use styling products that moisturize your hair, avoid products that lift or add volume to your hair.
