Ensure that you have undamaged hair. Applying hair lighteners on hair that is already chemically dyed can cause unwanted effects. Be sure that you only use this method if your hair is in its natural state. Select a test strip. As you begin to choose one or more hair lightening techniques, be sure to test the technique(s) on a small strip of hair before applying it to the rest of your hair. While some people prefer to test a strip underneath the top hair so that it cannot be seen, others prefer to cut off a small strip of hair for testing.
The more you use the lemon-juice mixture, the lighter your hair will become. However, the lemon juice will also dry out your hair, so be careful to condition regularly.
The longer you leave in the mixture, the lighter your hair will become. Consider leaving the mixture in overnight.
Each of these ingredients is known to lighten hair, so it’s OK to try different combinations and ratios.
Be careful if you’re dying your hair for the first time. Bleach can damage anyone’s hair and it’s important to handle the product with care. If you have dark hair, you will likely have to bleach your hair twice, once to achieve the yellow base necessary to dye it white blonde and again to achieve the desired shade. [4] X Expert Source Karen LeightProfessional Hair Stylist Expert Interview. 13 November 2020.
If you apply bleach to chemically-treated hair, there is a chance that you will burn off your hair. You may want to deep condition your hair the day before you dye it to minimize the hair-drying effect of the dye.
Purchase your products at a beauty-supply store to ensure the highest-quality chemicals. Purchase a bleach powder with a concentration of H2O2 between 3 and 6 percent. If it has a concentration of 10 percent or more, it may induce scalp blistering. [5] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Some trusted brands include Salon Care and Manic Panic. If your hair is blonde or light brown, use a 20- or 30-volume developer. If your hair is black or very dark, you may need a 40-volume developer. The lower the volume, the less damaging the bleach is to hair. The toner you need will depend on the exact shade of white blonde you want to achieve. [6] X Expert Source Karen LeightProfessional Hair Stylist Expert Interview. 13 November 2020. Read the brands and product reviews to help you get an idea of which one you want to use. Wella T18 Lightest Ash Blonde Toner or Manic Panic Virgin Snow are two of the most popular. Red-gold corrector will help the hair grab the color most effectively.
Depending on the product, the ratios could be slightly different. Consider purchasing the same brands of bleach powder and creme developer. A typical ratio could be two scoops of power and 4 ounces of creme developer. [7] X Research source
If the strip turns orange, do not apply the bleach mix to the rest of your hair. The most common reason your hair could turn orange is that your hair is too dark to bleach completely in one sitting, so you may have to wait a couple of days and try again with the same test strand. If the strand is still orange or dark after the second bleaching, try adding a semi-permanent hair color to cover the orange INSTEAD of toning it. [8] X Research source If you choose one shade lighter than the current strip color, you will retain a little orange, but keep the lightness. If you choose one shade darker than the current strip color, you will minimize the orange, but darken your hair a little.
For the best results, ask someone to help you apply the mixture. If your hair is very short, it helps to part your hair in a straight line and apply the bleach starting from the root and moving all the way up the strand of hair. When finished, part the next section and do the same thing. Continue until the mixture is applied everywhere. If your hair is longer than chin-length, consider applying the bleach starting from a couple of inches away from the scalp and letting it sit for 10-15 minutes before you apply the bleach to the hair nearest the scalp. Because bleach is heat-activated, this will ensure a more even coloring. If you are a brunette, it will be more difficult to achieve an even shade of white. [9] X Expert Source Karen LeightProfessional Hair Stylist Expert Interview. 13 November 2020. Be extra careful to apply a generous amount of the mixture evenly on every strand of hair.
If you see that some spots are turning lighter faster than others, correct the darker spots by adding a little bit more of the bleach mixture. As you wait, you are likely to experience some itching and burning sensations. This is normal. If you cannot stand the itching or burning, however, rinse it out since your discomfort could be a sign that your scalp is reacting poorly to the chemicals. Consider trying a different brand after a couple of days. You want your hair to turn lighter yellow, not orange. If it does turn orange, wait 5 minutes to see if it turns yellow before rinsing it out and repeating the process in a couple of days or going to the hair salon.
Be careful not to let the bleach sit in your hair for too long or it will burn the ends off. Remember only to proceed to the toning step if your hair is yellow, orange.
The longer you leave in the toner, the more silvery the resulting shade of hair. [10] X Research source
The longer, darker and thicker the hair, the longer it will take to dye white blonde and the more a salon is likely to charge you. [12] X Expert Source Karen LeightProfessional Hair Stylist Expert Interview. 13 November 2020.
Be sure to read online reviews of hairstylists and talk to people whose hair color you admire. Ask them who they use. You’re better off finding a specific person than a general salon.
Describe your hair as it is now and what you would like it to look like it to look like. Your hairstylist needs to be aware of how long the color treatment will take. Even if your stylist does not give you a time estimate, make sure that you leave ample time to dye your hair. The process can take anywhere from two to four hours, especially if your hairstylist is attending to other clients in between your processes. Agree on a price over the phone so that you have a clear understanding of how much the color treatment will cost before you walk into the salon.
