Bleaching Hair at Home: A Step-By-Step, Damage-Free Guide

Dyeing your hair is one of the best ways to express yourself and make a great impression on others. At some point, you may have even used a few hair color editor apps to see what kinds of shades would suit you the best. If you've ever thought about going for a lighter shade, then chances are you'll need some hair bleach.

Bleaching is a chemical process that strips your natural hair color to a lighter shade, which is necessary but can be intimidating because it takes up a lot of time. Trying to speed things up opens you to possible mistakes. This is why you need to take the utmost care and learn how to color your hair at home to avoid heavy damage.

To get a better idea of how to take care of colored hair at home and get the best results, use the step-by-step guide below.

Preparation and Considerations Before You Bleach

Before you line up the products you'll use, you first need to determine if your hair is healthy enough to handle the process. If you have super-fine, frizzy, or dry hair, chances are you'll do more harm than good. While you can use strengtheners to help prepare your strands, you should consider using lower bleach levels and slowly lifting the color in batches.

Once you have your preparation done, section a small piece of your hair and try a patch test to see how your hair will react with the bleach. If the texture doesn't turn out gummy and stretchy, then you can go ahead and bleach the rest of your head.

How to Get Bleached and Damage-Free Hair at Home

Learning how to bleach hair at home without damage can be simple if you make the right preparations. Here is how you can achieve your dream hair safely and confidently.

1. Start with unprocessed hair

Dark virgin hair is generally easier to bleach than hair that has been colored before because there isn't any old color in the way. You are also less likely to cause severe damage this way.

2. Prep your materials

Line up everything you need for the process, like hair clips, towels, purple shampoo, gloves, etc. Bleaching hair at home can also be messy, so make sure you wear old clothes that you don't mind getting stained.

3. Hydrate with coconut oil

Soak your hair in coconut oil to help hydrate and protect it from the bleaching process. For the best results, do this the night before so that a protective barrier has time to form over your hair shafts. But if you don't have the time, let the oil absorb into your hair for at least an hour before you get started.

4. Section the hair

Using clips, section your hair so you can apply equal amounts of bleach. You can start by securing your crown section so you can work on the back and inner parts of your head first. This can help make the process more manageable, especially since you'll be doing this by yourself.

5. Apply the bleach mid-length

Roots lighten faster than the lower parts of the hair. To make sure you get an even lift, set the bleach on the mid-lengths and tips of your hair first. After about 20 minutes, apply the rest to the roots.

6. Set the timer

Now that you have applied the bleach evenly on your hair, secure it with a shower cap and set a timer for 30 to 45 minutes. Do not leave the bleach on for more than that. 

7. Rinse it out

Use lukewarm water to thoroughly rinse the product from your hair and avoid hair fall and breakage. Use the pads of your fingers to rub your scalp gently and apply a moisturizing conditioner.

8. Dry your hair and assess it

Once all the bleach is gone, dry your hair with a towel and assess its condition. If you haven't reached the level of lightness you need, you'll need to repeat the bleaching process from step 2, one more time. If not, you can move on to the next step. 

9. Use a toner or purple shampoo

Applying a toner will help neutralize any yellow hues or bass colors that you may want to avoid. Purple shampoo works similarly, as it helps give your hair cooler tones. If you aren't sure which product to go for, the Ever Pure Anti-Brass Toning Purple Shampoo combines both hair care technologies to make your hair color last longer. 

10. Hair repair

Now that you have the right light shade, it's time to protect your hair and practice the proper care routine for the next few weeks. Avoid using too much heat when styling your new look, and use repair shampoos or maintenance conditioners to get the most out of your session.