Thinking About Bleaching Your Hair at Home? Read This First

We’ve all been there, drawn in by a DIY hair-bleaching TikTok or YouTube video. It’s a great, cost-effective way to change up your look at home! Often, the process looks a little easier online than when you dive in and do it yourself. If you’ve bleached your hair at home before or you’re thinking about trying it for the first time, here are a few tips and things you should know before you grab the mixing bowl. 

What to Know About Going DIY Blonde

There’s a lot that you need to understand before bleaching your own or someone else’s hair. The process isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s important to think about: 

• The current color of your hair.
• Whether it’s been bleached or dyed before (this is important; hair that has never been dyed before, or “virgin” hair, is easier to lighten than hair that has been treated with color).
• Your desired color. 

For example, if your hair is darker, it likely has more red or orange pigment. This usually means more sessions are needed to get a lighter blonde. It’s important not to get discouraged and overdo it if you don’t get your desired results on the first try. Lighter hair is easier to lift and typically needs fewer sessions. 

Going Blonde Can Be Harder Than It Looks 

While it’s possible to safely and effectively bleach your hair at home, keep in mind that it can be risky, especially as a beginner. It is important to use the correct products with careful application. Bleaching is a complex process that can be challenging for someone new to the world of hair. TikTok and YouTube can make it look easy, but you risk doing serious damage to your hair and being left with results you didn’t expect. 

Risks to Know Before Bleaching at Home

Before proceeding, you should know about some of the risks involved with bleaching your hair at home. These include: 

• Damage to your hair, leading to rough texture and breakage.
• Chemical burns on your scalp or hair loss caused by leaving chemicals on for too long or improper ventilation.
• Uneven or patchy color.
• Hot roots, when your roots lift faster and turn bright orange or yellow compared to the rest of your hair. (This is especially important when working with previously color-treated hair).
• Permanent damage to your hair. 

It’s completely normal to want to experiment on your hair at home, especially with countless tutorials online at your disposal. In fact, most cosmetology pros began their hair journey at home, too! If this is something you’re interested in, there may be a career in cosmetology in your future. 

Things You’ll Need

Before jumping in, you’ll want to make sure you have all the necessary supplies to successfully bleach your hair. Most beauty supply stores should have everything you need! Here is a quick list of the basic supplies: 

• Bleach Powder + Developer (both can be purchased together in a bleaching kit)
• Be sure to purchase the correct developer volume: 20-volume for lighter hair, 30-volume for medium and 40-volume for very dark hair and dramatic results (most people only need 30-volume; if using 40, use extreme caution — you can do a lot of damage with the wrong developer).
• A non-metallic mixing bowl (metal can cause a chemical reaction, oxidizing and changing the color and effectiveness of your results)
• Applicator brush
• Clips to section your hair
• Gloves
• An old shirt and towels you don’t mind getting bleach on
• Plastic wrap, shower cap, plastic bag, or foil (use the plastic wrap, shower cap or plastic bag for even processing. Use aluminum foil if you want a faster, hotter lift, or to do highlights)
• Timer 

You’ll also want to find a toner to combat any unwanted brassy color, as well as a good deep conditioner or hair mask for afterward to keep your hair healthy and strong. Make sure you use a color-safe shampoo and conditioner, as well.  

If you want to go the extra mile in protecting your hair, you can invest in a bond-building treatment. These reinforce your hair from the inside out during the damaging chemical process. There are products that you can add directly to your bleach mixture, or products you can use after the bleaching process for ongoing repair and maintenance! 

How to Bleach Your Hair at Home – An Overview

Before You Start 

After gathering your supplies, you’re ready to begin bleaching! Set aside lots of time, as the entire process can take up to two to five hours total to complete. It’s also important to make sure you are working in a well-lit, ventilated area. 

Patch and Strand Tests (Don’t Skip These!) 

Before bleaching, always do a patch test to check for allergic reactions. Apply a small amount of mixed bleach behind your ear or on your inner elbow and leave it for 48 hours. If you notice any irritation, do not proceed. 

Next, perform a strand test using a small, hidden section of hair. Apply bleach and check the color every 5–10 minutes, never more than 60 minutes total. Take note of how long it takes to reach your desired color, then rinse and shampoo. If the hair becomes gummy, stretchy, or brittle, that’s a sign of damage — see a professional instead of trying it anyway!. 

Prepping Your Hair and Workspace 

Once you finish both tests with no issues, you are ready to dive in. Prep your area, change into old clothes and put your gloves on. Mix your developer and bleach powder (typically a 2:1 ratio, or as directed) and make sure it is well-mixed with no clumps. Section your hair into four to six sections using clips. 

For best results and to protect your scalp, start with hair that hasn’t been washed for 24-72 hours. 

Applying the Bleach 

Start by applying bleach about one inch from the root, working down the lengths first and applying thick, even coverage. The heat from your scalp causes roots to process faster, so come back and apply bleach to the roots after the rest of your hair is covered. 

Processing and Rinsing 

Next, cover your hair with a shower cap, a plastic bag, or foil if you’re doing highlights. If you use a shower cap or plastic bag, be sure to poke small holes to allow ventilation. Keep it secure enough to keep the bleach from drying out, but loose enough to allow airflow and avoid trapping fumes against your scalp. 

Check your hair every 5–10 minutes, as processing time can vary by hair color, texture, and length. Once you reach your desired color, usually a pale yellow similar to the inside of a banana, rinse your hair well with cool water. Shampoo and condition or apply a hair mask. 

Toning After Bleach 

Bleaching often leaves yellow or orange tones, so this is where a toner comes in handy. Toners are often purple or blue-toned to counteract any brassiness.  

Many Now-Professional Stylists Started With DIY

It’s normal and fun to experiment with your hair and that’s how many now-professional hairstylists started their journey and found their love for doing hair. Most of them have had their share of DIY hair endeavors. A lot of times, experimenting at home is what led them to pursue cosmetology school.  

This curiosity has led countless people to a career in the beauty industry. Maybe you’ve found yourself wanting to know why your hair lifted unevenly, why it turned out brassy, or how to achieve a bright, beautiful blonde, while keeping the hair healthy and strong. That curiosity and drive to understand is what leads people to Xenon Academy.  

From Curiosity to a Career

Beginning your career as a cosmetologist and starting at Xenon Academy means you’ll have the opportunity to learn countless skills and techniques and build on your knowledge. From chemistry and color theory to learning how to fix someone else’s DIY mishaps, you’ll be a well-rounded stylist by graduation.  

Xenon Academy even allows you to train in a student salon under the guidance of licensed instructors, so you can learn first-hand how to create that beautiful, healthy blonde. It’s a great way to experiment and get creative without the risk that comes with at-home DIY.  

You’ll learn how to prevent damage while lightening hair, how bleach interacts with different colors and textures of hair and so much more. The key is learning the science behind achieving beautiful and healthy hair on any client in your chair and being able to do it confidently! 

Take your passion and curiosity for hair and turn it into a career you’ll love. Enroll today!