How to Bleach Hair Without Chemicals

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If you would love to bleach or lighten your hair without spending hundreds of dollars at the salon or pouring toxic chemicals on your head, there are some natural, organic ingredients you can use to create a that summer sun streaked look. It may take a little longer than traditional hair color, but the cost savings and chemical free results are worth the time.

Things You'll Need

• Lemon Juice
• Sea Salt
• Water
• Sun
• Sunscreen

Instructions

Settle into the Sun

1. 

   If you live in a climate with year round sunshine like California or Florida, you can achieve this look all year long. If you live in a climate with traditional seasons, you may only be able to achieve this in the spring or summer. It definitely requires sunshine. During the sunniest part of the day, plan to sun bleach your hair. First, rinse your hair with water to get it damp. Towel dry, and comb through the tangles.

2. 

   Make a paste with sea salt and water. Start with about 1/2 cup of sea salt, and use just enough water to make it into a thick soupy consistency. It can't be too thin, or it won't stick to your hair. Put some of the sea salt paste on your fingers and pull it through your hair. If you want to bleach your whole head, you can be more liberal with the application, but if you only want to bleach and highlight strands of hair, put the salt mixture just on those sections. Once mixture is applied, go outside and sit in the sun until your hair is dry. rinse and repeat this until your hair reaches the desired shade. If you happen to live near an ocean, swimming in the saltwater and letting your wet hair dry in the sun after swimming achieves the same effect.

3. For lighter highlights, use lemon. If salt water hasn't given you the desired shade use lemon juice. You can use fresh or bottled juice with the same results. When using lemon juice, do not dampen your hair first; instead, rinse your hair completely with lemon juice. Lie in the sun until hair is dry, and wash out. It can be a little drying, so use a good conditioner after you wash and rinse your hair.

4. Don't forget your skin and body. If you are lying in the sun to lighten your hair, make sure that any exposed skin is covered in sunscreen and that you drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Tips & Warnings

• Do this on a day when you don't have other plans, it takes time.

• Bring a book or music outside with you; it can get boring to lay there with no stimulation.

• Better yet, convince a friend to join you.

• Don't expect to lighten your hair by several shades; this is a non chemical way to get subtle sunny highlights.