How to Bleach My Hair

Bleach your hair for the platinum look.

Bleaching your own hair remains a popular way of hair lightening despite resulting in often damaged hair and burnt scalps due to improper exposure. The desired result, a platinum blond look, is attractive enough to endure these possible misfortunes, in spite of the recommendations of hairdressers and salons. You too can defy the professionals' advice and, with a careful, concentrated effort, achieve satisfying results.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• 20-volume peroxide cream
• Powder bleach
• Gloves
• Blow dryer
• Plastic shower cap
• Water

1. Wash and condition your hair the day before bleaching so it will be dry and clean when you go to work on it.

2. Visit a pharmacy to buy a 20-volume peroxide cream, the highest volume that is safe to come in contact with your scalp.

3. Mix the peroxide with a powder or liquid bleach. Hairfinder.com recommends that you keep the formula from becoming too thin by using a powdered bleach.

4. Put on gloves and set your supplies in order in a well-lit bathroom before you begin. You'll want to be organized so you can apply the bleach quickly and carefully once you begin. Quickness is key, as the bleach will begin to work very quickly.

5. Apply the bleach to the darkest areas of your hair first, which will usually be in the back of your head near your scalp or in the middle lengths of your hair. This is where the bleach will need the most time to work. Heat can make the bleach work faster, so if your scalp is very warm, that may not be the best place to start.

6. Wrap your head in a shower cap once you have finished applying the bleach solution. If the bleach dries out, it will not be effective, so this is a way to ensure it stays wet. To make the bleach works faster, wave a blow dryer around your cap, preferably with a diffuser attached.

7. Rinse your hair thoroughly with warm water once your desired color is achieved.

8. Apply a conditioner to keep your hair from drying out, rinsing with cool water afterward.

9. Put your gloves, the bleach peroxide mixture and any other supplies affected with the bleach into a plastic bag for disposal.

References

• Style-HairMagazine.com: Bleaching Tips
• Hairfinder.com: Bleach Peroxide