How to Gradually Lighten Hair Color

Protect your hair by lightening it slowly.

If you want to lighten your hair, it is best to do it gradually. Drastically lightening your hair at once can cause it severe damage, especially if it's dark to begin with.The large dose of hydrogen peroxide blasts through the layers of color to lighten it, which can turn your hair to the consistency of straw. Instead, harness the power of the sun and low doses of peroxide to lighten hair slowly and safely.

Things You'll Need

• Dark-colored spray bottle
• 3 percent hydrogen peroxide
• Elastic headband
• White towel
• Comb

Instructions

1. Pour hydrogen peroxide in a dark spray bottle without diluting it. Fill it three-quarters of the way full.

2. Wrap a white towel around your shoulders, and put the headband on your head so it stretches under the back of your hair and across your ears and forehead but away from your hairline. Spray the peroxide on your hair so that it is just damp but not wet. Comb it through the hair.

3. Sit outside in the sun for 30 minutes to one hour to lighten it. If it is too cold or overcast, you can skip this step.

4. Wash and condition your hair to remove the peroxide until the next lightening session.

Tips & Warnings

• Continue to use the peroxide on your hair once or twice a week until you have reached the desired color.

• Deep-condition your hair once or twice per week to keep it from becoming too dry.

• The headband provides a barrier so peroxide doesn't dye your eyebrows and drip into your eyes. If it gets in your eyes, flush them out with water and seek medical attention immediately.

• If you are a brunette or a redhead, test the peroxide on a hidden piece of hair first to make sure it won't create brassy undertones.

References

• Beyond Jane: Lighten Your Hair Using Hydrogen Peroxide
• HairBoutique: Hair Color Tips:  Understanding Laws Of Haircolor