Being able to change your hair on a whim is so exciting. Going from brunette to blonde can help to boost your confidence as well as give you a new lease on life.
But bleaching can be damaging to your hair so there are steps you should take to get the best outcome with healthy hair. Here are some tips to help you go from brunette to blonde easily and safely.
The science of bleaching: Understanding the process
Bleaching works by lifting the colour from brunette hair by breaking down the melanin in each hair shaft. Initially, bleach dissolves black and brown pigments before moving on to reds. Yellows are hard to dissolve which is why you are left with blonde.
As bleach is a chemical composition, it can leave your hair feeling dry and damaged if not done carefully. In some instances, it can actually cause hair loss which is a serious issue.
It is possible that bleaching once will not break down all the pigment especially if you have used box dyes, so you may need to do it more than once. Try to leave time between bleaches to allow your hair to recover and prevent further damage.
Pre-bleach preparation: Getting your hair ready
Before you slather on the bleach, take time to prepare your locks. You could give yourself a spa day with facials teamed with a deep conditioning treatment. This will help to lock in moisture in each strand of hair, helping it to withstand the drying nature of bleach.
You could also make an appointment with your hairdresser for a professional hair colour consultation. They will be able to assess your hair’s condition and recommend treatments to help strengthen and protect your tresses.
Bleaching techniques: Safe steps to lighten your hair
If you are embarking on bleaching at home, you must make sure you have all of your equipment to hand before you start bleaching your hair – you don’t want to be running around, trying to find things with half your hair done!
Whether you DIY it or go to a salon, a strand test needs to be performed. This is to make sure you aren’t allergic to any of the ingredients and to see how your hair lifts.
Sectioning is key for saturating your hair. Start at the bottom and work up but remember to leave your roots until the end. This is because they will lift quicker so leaving them will prevent you from having hot roots. Bleach doesn’t lather like shampoo so make sure every hair is fully coated in a nice thick layer.
Post-bleach care: Maintaining your new blonde
Once you have achieved your desired blonde, maintenance is key to keeping it vibrant and healthy. Purple shampoo is really helpful for avoiding brassiness, but it doesn’t need to be used daily. Once a week should be enough to keep your colour intact.
You should use heat protection already, but it is especially important after bleaching. If you can, avoid using heat styling for a few weeks after bleaching to give your hair and scalp a break. For those who need to use it, invest in a good heat-protectant spray which will protect your strands.