Kayla Young
If you’re reading this, then you’re probably ready to take the plunge to go blonde. However, you may still be wondering how the bleaching process will affect your hair, especially if it’s your first time or your hair is prone to breakage.
Well, there’s always the risk of hair disaster with bleaching treatments. And if you do it yourself, the risk is even higher.
So is there a less anxiety-inducing way of having the blonde locks you desire? Well, yes there is, and it’s known as a bleach bath. So read on to find out how to bleach bath hair at home and also how to take care of the health of your bottle blonde strands.
Contents
How to Bleach Bath Hair
The bleaching process involves using two strong chemicals, hydrogen peroxide and bleaching powder. When combined, they permanently raise the cuticle from the hair shaft.
This tone of the hair is lightened through the removal of its natural pigment once the cuticle is raised.
Understandably, this process is aggressive to the hair, because it erodes the natural pigments.
If you’re ready to take the plunge and bleach your hair, the bleach bath process is a common treatment that you can easily do at home with preparation.
A bleach bath is far less risky than normal bleaching. And it’s not as hard as you might think, as long as you practice due care and patience.
How to Do A Bleach Bath: The Steps
To Bleach bath hair, follow these six easy steps:
1. Gather The Goods
You’ll need:
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Bleaching Powder
- Small Plastic Bowl
- Application Brush
- Rubber Gloves
- Hair Clips
- Tablespoon
- Shampoo and Conditioner
- An Old Towel
- Comb
- Shower Cap
2. Mixing It
Combine one tablespoon of bleaching powder with two tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide in a plastic bowl to form a paste.
If your hair is very dark, then you can add another tablespoon of bleaching powder. If it’s your first time, don’t use a hydrogen peroxide solution higher than 10%.
3. Poo Time
Next, take the same amount of shampoo that you would use to normally wash your hair and add it to the mixture. Make sure that it’s not a clarifying shampoo.
You can also mix in some conditioner if your hair tends to be on the dry side.
4. Ready, Steady, Go
Cover your shoulders with your old towel and put on the rubber gloves. Wet your hair a little, then part it into four sections, holding any hair you’re not using in place with clips. Take one section and keep dividing it into smaller sections to make applying the mixture more even at the roots with the application brush.
Once it’s all applied, massage your roots with your fingers, as if you were washing your hair, for a minute.
5. Hang On
If your hair is long, then put a shower cap on and leave it. Every 5-10 minutes, pull out and strand to check the color and when you achieve your desired tone.
If you’ve bleached your hair before, this process will only take about 10 minutes, but if you have darker hair or it’s your first time, the process can take around 30-45 minutes.
6. Wet and Wild
Rinse your hair with warm water. Make sure it’s not too hot, because it will be harder to rinse out the bleaching paste.
Make sure you then thoroughly wash your hair while using your fingers to gently remove any residue. Don’t be rough with your hair! There is the potential for breakage.
Now that you have your bleached locks, you’ll need to make sure your post-bleach bath routine is on point to keep your hair shiny and bright.
Bleach Bath After Care
Post-bleach bath care is a must for keeping your hair free from more damage. Intensive care and hydration treatment are needed to avoid the consequences of the aggressive process of bleaching your hair. For starters, you’ll need to find a happy medium between protein and moisture products.
The bleaching process causes the hair to become more porous since it damages the cuticle to remove the pigment. And although protein-based products will help to add hydration, too much protein buildup can cause your already fragile blonde locks to break.
Sulfate Free
Using shampoos and conditioners that are sulfate-free will help to minimize your hair from drying out. Making a ritual of alternating between a sulfate-free protein-rich shampoo/conditioner and a sulfate-free moisture-rich formula would give the best results.
Also using dry shampoo in the first month after bleaching is recommended, since frequent washing can strip the hair even more and make it weaker. Try to space out your washes to every four days and use dry shampoo in-between.
Toning Shampoos
No products found.You’ll also want to invest in a purple shampoo if your hair is very bright blonde and you want to keep it from looking too brassy.
A purple shampoo will help your blonde locks to maintain a glowing tone. ArtNatural’s Purple Shampoo is a sulfate-free formula with natural organic ingredients like coconut extract to hydrate the scalp, encourage healthy new growth and support hair in retaining its tone.
It also helps to repair split ends.
See also:
- Is Toning Hair After Bleaching A Good Idea?
- Blue vs Purple Shampoo: Which One Do You Need?
- Can You Use Purple Shampoo On Dry Hair?
End the Split Ends
And speaking of split ends, it’s important that you get a cut or a trim within days of your bleach bath. This will help to seal the new ends and keep your blonde hair in the healthiest condition.
Sleeping on a will also help you avoid further damage from the bleaching process.
The soft fabric will allow your hair to slip and slide while you sleep, which will stop any pulling or breaking. Using a silk pillowcase will also make your style last longer and you’ll notice fewer broken hairs at the hairline.
And now you know how to bleach bath hair at home and keep it conditioned and cared for so that you can enjoy the overall health of your blonde locks for longer.
