How to bleach dark brown or black hair to achieve a golden blonde or white shade

Check if your hair is healthy enough to handle the bleach. There’s no way to completely avoid damage to hair that comes in contact with bleach. Many stylists avoid bleaching hair that has already been dyed or processed. It's recommended to consult with a professional to prevent any harm to your hair.

Allocate an appropriate amount of time. To bleach dark hair to blonde, especially a platinum blonde or white shade, you'll need to repeat the bleaching process multiple times, with a few days in between each session. Don't expect perfect blonde hair immediately, as the process requires gradual bleaching.

• During the intermediate stages, your hair may turn orange, copper, or a shade not quite blonde. Be prepared to cover these colors with hats, scarves, or other hair accessories.

Choose the right bleaching product. There are many options for hair bleaching, and you need to select the right product based on your hair color.

• Look for a bleaching kit that includes hair bleach powder and peroxide solution. This strong formula is suitable for dark hair.
• Peroxide comes in various strengths, ranging from 10 to 40. Be aware that a 40-volume peroxide is too strong for regular bleaching, as it can burn the scalp. A 40-volume peroxide should only be applied to the tips of dark hair, avoiding the scalp. A 30-volume peroxide works faster than a 20 or 10-volume peroxide.

Test the bleach on a single strand of hair before you start. This step is crucial because it will help you determine how long to leave the bleach on to achieve the desired hair color. Always read and follow the manufacturer's instructions (included with the bleaching kit) on how to test it on a strand of hair. Generally, the steps include:

• Take a few strands of hair from a less visible area at the back of your head. Tie the strands together with a hair tie or use tape to bind the ends.
• Mix a small amount of hair bleach powder with the peroxide solution according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Dip the hair strands into the bleach mixture, ensuring they are completely saturated.
• Set a timer or keep track of time during the test bleach process.
• Every 5 minutes, check the color of your hair by wiping the bleach off with a cloth.
• Apply the bleach to your hair again and repeat the process until you reach your desired color. By this point, you will know how long to leave the bleach on your hair.

Soak your hair in melted coconut oil overnight. Before bleaching your hair, it's important to massage unrefined coconut oil into your hair and scalp. This step helps protect your hair from excessive damage during the bleaching process. Leave the coconut oil on your hair for 14 hours for the best results. There's no need to wash it out before bleaching your hair.

• To protect your pillow from oil stains, you can wrap a towel around your hair or braid it and wear a shower cap.

If your hair is long, divide it into 4 sections. Use the pointed end of a hair dyeing comb to split your hair into two parts from the center of your forehead to the nape of your neck. Then, divide each section further from the top of your ears to the crown of your head.

• Use clips or non-metal hairpins to secure each section of hair. Be sure that the clips or pins don't react with the chemicals in the bleach.

Protect your skin, eyes, and clothes. Basic precautionary steps must be followed when using bleach. Wear plastic gloves and protect your eyes with safety glasses. You should also wear old clothes and lay something on the floor to catch any bleach spills.

• You can apply a thin layer of moisturizer wax to your forehead, ears, and neck. While not strictly necessary to prevent stains like when dyeing hair, the wax can help shield your skin from irritation in case the bleach comes into contact with your forehead, ears, or neck.

Mix the bleach. Combine the hair bleach powder with the developer (peroxide) in a 1:1 ratio in a non-metal mixing bowl. Stir until the mixture thickens to a creamy consistency.

Apply the mixture. Use the hair dyeing comb to apply the bleach mixture, starting about 1 cm away from the scalp.

• First, apply the bleach to the thinner sections at the back of your head, ensuring the hair is fully coated before moving on to the next section. Use clips to secure the hair you’ve just treated before moving to another part.
• Apply bleach to the back sections first, then to the front two sections.
• Apply the bleach following the direction of hair growth, from root to tip.
• Apply the bleach as quickly as possible, as the hair needs to be evenly soaked within the same time frame to ensure consistent color. You may use different developer strengths for different sections, such as using 30-volume for the front and 20-volume for the back.
• Once the bleach is fully applied, cover your hair with a shower cap.

Monitor the process. Check every 10 minutes until you achieve your desired color.

• Check the color by wiping off the bleach from a small section of hair with a piece of old cloth. If necessary, reapply the bleach to that section.
• You can set a timer to check every 10 minutes to ensure even processing.

Consider using a blow dryer to speed up the hair lightening process. However, keep in mind that any form of heat application increases the risk of damage, so it's best to avoid it if you're not in a hurry.

• This method is not recommended if it's your first time lightening your hair, as you should first observe how long the hair coloring process takes. If you plan to lighten your hair again, you can speed up the process with heat.

After 10-20 minutes, apply bleach to the roots. The heat from your scalp will accelerate the bleaching process at the roots. If you wish to lighten the roots, it's best to apply the bleach towards the end of the process. Use the sectioning technique as described above, but this time, apply the bleach mixture only to the roots of your hair.

Rinse out the bleach. Once your hair reaches a light blonde shade or the recommended processing time has passed, rinse out the bleach using warm water.

• Use a small amount of shampoo, preferably one designed for freshly lightened hair. For example, a shampoo containing purple toner can help eliminate brassiness or yellow tones.
• Gently towel dry your hair and style it as usual. If possible, avoid heat styling as it can exacerbate damage and add stress to the hair.

Evaluate the results after your hair has dried. You can only truly assess the outcome of your hair lightening once it is completely dry. Remember that it may take at least 2-3 lightening sessions within a month to transform black hair into a light blonde or white shade.

Give your hair a 2-3 week break between bleaching sessions. Lightening hair is a damaging process. Therefore, avoid continuing to bleach your hair if you're not satisfied with the results. Instead, use a toner after each lightening session (see instructions below) to balance the color as your hair gradually transitions from black to light blonde.

Chọn toner (sản phẩm cân bằng tông màu tóc). Đây là bước quan trọng để có mái tóc đẹp và màu tóc cân bằng. Quá trình tẩy tóc sẽ lấy đi sắc tố của tóc và cuối cùng để lại một chút màu vàng - màu tự nhiên của keratin hay protein của tóc. Thông thường thì đây không phải điều mà bạn mong muốn. Chính lúc này bạn cần dùng toner để giúp cân bằng tông màu tóc không mong muốn, tăng thêm sắc thái tinh tế cho màu tóc và giúp bạn có màu tóc vàng như ý muốn.

• Tóc đen thường có tông ẩn màu đỏ hoặc cam, do đó việc tẩy màu tóc thường biến tóc đen thành màu cam. Toner màu xanh giúp cân bằng màu cam, toner màu tím cân bằng màu vàng, còn toner màu xanh-tím cân bằng vàng cam-vàng. Nói ngắn gọn thì bạn nên chọn toner chứa màu tương phản với tông màu ẩn trong bảng màu để trung hòa. Nếu chưa chắc chắn, bạn có thể quan sát bảng màu để biết nên chọn màu nào.
• Đối với tóc trắng, bạn nên chọn toner chuyên dùng cho tóc trắng. Bạn không thể tẩy màu tóc trắng mà phải cải thiện tông màu của tóc.
• Nếu còn phân vân không biết nên chọn toner nào, bạn nên đến cửa hàng mỹ phẩm chăm sóc sắc đẹp để được tư vấn chuyên nghiệp hoặc hỏi ý kiến của chuyên gia tạo kiểu tóc.

Chuẩn bị và thoa toner. Dưới đây là hướng dẫn chung, nhưng bạn cần đảm bảo tuân thủ đúng hướng dẫn của nhà sản xuất:

• Trộn toner với dung dịch trợ nhuộm cường độ 10 hoặc 20 theo tỉ lệ 1:2. Nếu tóc đen, bạn nên cân nhắc việc dùng dung dịch cường độ 40. Tuy nhiên, nên nhớ rằng dung dịch cường độ 40 rất mạnh và có thể gây bỏng nghiêm trọng nếu chạm vào da. Tìm sự chăm sóc y tế nếu bị bỏng hóa chất.
• Thoa toner thật đều từ chân tóc đến ngọn tóc, dùng kỹ thuật chia phần tóc như khi tẩy màu tóc theo hướng dẫn ở trên.
• Nhiều loại toner chỉ mất 10 phút để phát huy tác dụng, vì vậy bạn cần thoa nhanh hết mức có thể và theo dõi thời gian thật sát sao.
• Kiểm tra quá trình 5-10 phút một lần bằng kỹ thuật thử trên một sợi tóc như hướng dẫn tẩy màu tóc ở trên.
• Cẩn thận không cân bằng quá mức màu tóc trắng để tránh tạo màu hơi vàng hoặc xám.

Gội đầu. Dùng dầu gội và dầu xả, sau đó tạo kiểu tóc như bình thường.

• Nhớ bỏ đi phần thuốc tẩy và hỗn hợp cân bằng màu tóc không dùng hết khi hoàn thành quy trình tẩy tóc.

• Do not leave the bleach on your hair longer than necessary once it has reached a light blonde shade.
• If you have short hair (shoulder length or shorter), consider using highlights instead of full bleaching. This way, you can avoid the risk of scalp burns.
• It is best to bleach your hair before washing it.
• Having someone assist you is ideal, especially when bleaching for the first time. You may want to ask for help to ensure the bleach is evenly applied.
• Using hair gloss products, color balancing shampoos, or shampoos designed for bleached hair can help balance yellow tones and leave your hair shiny and smooth.
• Deeply moisturize your hair between bleach sessions to restore its natural oils and protein.
• Shampoo your hair as infrequently as possible between bleachings, as washing removes natural oils that protect and soften the hair.
• Limit heat styling (blow drying, straightening, curling) when possible, as heat can further stress already weakened hair.
• Weekly coconut oil or argan oil treatments are great for maintaining hair color after bleaching.
• Do not apply direct heat while bleaching your hair. Once dry, the bleach will stop working. You can cover your hair with plastic wrap, a shower cap, or even aluminum foil. THEN, set your blow dryer to a LOW heat setting to accelerate the bleaching process while keeping your hair covered.

• NEVER use bleach to lighten eyebrows or eyelashes.
• A 40-volume developer is extremely strong and should only be used when necessary, and absolutely never mixed with toner.
• Do not apply bleach directly to the scalp.
• Read and follow the instructions provided on the product packaging carefully.
• It is not recommended to complete the entire hair bleaching process in one day as it can be very damaging to the hair.
• If you begin to feel burning or irritation during the bleaching process, immediately rinse your hair and consult a doctor.

• Coconut oil
• Gloves
• Protective goggles
• Hair lightening or bleaching powder
• 30 or 40-volume peroxide developer, though 40-volume is not recommended
• 10 or 20-volume peroxide developer for toner application
• Blue or purple toner
• Non-metallic mixing bowl
• Non-metallic hair clips or pins
• Hair dye brush
• Shower cap
• Blow dryer