Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 4: Professional Hair Lightening
• Method 2 of 4: Brighten Hair with Hydrogen Peroxide
• Method 3 of 4: Brightening Hair in the Salon
• Method 4 of 4: Lightening Hair with Lemon Juice
• Tips
• Warnings

Ever wanted to lighten your hair? The bright platinum hue looks spectacular and never goes out of style. You can also lighten your hair at home without paying for the procedure in the salon. For this, professional remedies are used, or home remedies like hydrogen peroxide, or even natural ones like lemon juice.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Professional Hair Lightening

1. 1 Study the information to find the one that works best for you. Find photos of the shade you want to achieve when lightening, and look online to see which shades are and what products are best for creating them.Also consider your current hair color.
   • Search for information on searches such as "the best remedies for lightening black hair" or "how to lighten red hair to a platinum blonde."
2. 2 Purchase the products you need from a beauty or hairdressing store. To professionally lighten your hair, you will need to purchase a range of specialty products. Each of them is necessary at a certain stage in the clarification process. These tools are:
   • Clarifying powder available in sachets or tubes.
   • A developer cream that matches the natural color of your hair. If you have blonde, light brown or light brown hair, you will need a developer labeled 10V or 20V (10 volume or 20 volume). For dark brown or black hair, you will need a 20V developer, and it will take longer to keep it on your hair. Ask the seller for advice.
   • Many professionals use a more powerful developer, 30V or 40V, because it works faster. Do not use it yourself at home, as it can damage your hair much more.
   • Toner that removes the yellowness of bleached hair. Get it if you're looking for a more platinum hue. Some toners make the hair white, others silvery.
   • A golden red corrector that is added to the brightening powder to increase its effectiveness so you don't have to bleach your hair twice.
   • A purple shampoo that removes yellow hair. Don't use it too often, or your hair may turn purple.
   • Paint brush, bowl, plastic wrap or bag.
   • Extra pack of clarifying powder and developer in case your purchase runs out. Some people's hair will absorb more of the bleaching blend, and you need to have an extra blend on hand so that you don't suddenly find that you have nothing to treat the other half of your hair with.
3. 3 Start with unprocessed hair. Whichever bleaching method you use will make your hair drier and more brittle than usual. The lightening process will damage less healthy hair. Therefore, do not dye or treat your hair with other chemicals one month before the scheduled lightening. Use mild products like natural shampoo and conditioner to keep your hair as healthy as possible before lightening.
4. 4 Treat your hair with a deep conditioner. A day or two before bleaching, apply a deep conditioner to your hair to moisturize your hair. There are many types of deep-acting conditioners, both cheap and expensive. You can also make your own from natural, usually food, ingredients. Search online for instructions on how to make a deep conditioner using bananas, avocados, mayonnaise, yogurt, eggs, coconut oil, or more. This step will moisturize your hair and make it more elastic, which will help prevent excessive dryness and breakage after bleaching.
5. 5 Check if you are allergic to purchased products. You may find this step time consuming and can be skipped, especially if you want to start lightening as soon as possible. However, this simple precaution will help you avoid skin rashes (or worse) if you find yourself allergic to bleaching powder or any other product. To test, apply some of the brightening mixture to the area behind your ear. Wait 24 to 48 hours and check for signs of an allergic reaction such as rash, itching, or burning. If allergies are present, however slight, you should try another hair lightening method.
6. 6 Prepare a clarifier. Read the instructions that came with your brightening powder to find out how much to use.Put one part clarifying powder and two parts developer in a bowl and mix them together with a spoon or spatula (use old utensils that you will no longer use for food). You will end up with a bluish white or blue mixture.
   • For a more platinum hue, add a golden red concealer. Read the instructions carefully so as not to be mistaken with the quantity and proportions.
7. 7 Protect your skin and clothing. A brightener can stain clothes and irritate your skin, so prepare accordingly. Put on your old clothes and cover your shoulders with an unnecessary towel, plastic or, if you have one, a hairdresser's dressing gown. Put on gloves. Apply a small amount of petroleum jelly along the hairline and décolleté to protect the skin.
   • Never wear the brightening blend without gloves - the chemicals can burn your skin.
8. 8 Test the lightening mixture on strands of hair. Select a section of hair at the back of your head and apply the bleaching mixture to it, starting from the roots and ending with the ends of the hair. Leave the mixture on your hair for 20-30 minutes. Rinse off the mixture and compare the color of the strand with a white towel. This will allow you to determine the future color of your hair and the time it takes to lighten.
9. 9 Divide your hair into sections with bobby pins. Divide your hair into multiple sections and curl each section. Secure the curled strands with hairpins; it is better to use duck hairpins, which are easy to remove with one hand. Do not curl the strand you are going to lighten first.
10. 10 Apply the lightening mixture to your hair. Hair must be completely dry. Use a brush to apply the brightening mixture to your hair. Separate sections of hair that you have already applied the lightening mixture to avoid tangling. Use bobby pins or foil to separate treated hair from unprocessed hair.
    • Depending on the effect you want to achieve, the brightening mixture can be applied in different ways: from root to tip, from tip to root, and so on.
    • Do not rub the mixture into your scalp as the chemicals can burn it.
    • For highlighting, select the strands you want to lighten. Place sheets of foil under them to protect the rest of the hair from the bleach. Brighten the selected strands and wrap them in foil. It's better if someone can help you with highlights.
    • It is recommended to first treat the front of the head with the clarifier, wait and rinse the clarifier, and only then process the back of the head. It will take a long time to apply the clarifier to all your hair at once, and you may not have time to apply it to all strands, while it already needs to be washed off from other strands.
11. 11 Check the shade every few minutes. Cover your head with a plastic bag or plastic wrap. Let the clarifier take effect. The longer it stays on your hair, the lighter it will become. Test your hair after 15 minutes by rubbing off one section with a towel. If your hair is not light enough, reapply the bleach to the section and wait another 10 minutes. Continue checking the section every 10 minutes until you are satisfied with the hair color. Don't leave the clarifier on your hair for more than 45 minutes.
    • The lightening time depends on several factors, such as the power of the illuminator and your hair color.
12. 12 Rinse off the brightening compound and wash your hair. Rinse off all of the bleach with cool water and then use a special shampoo for bleached hair. Dry your hair and check the color. If you like the color, you can stop there. Style your hair as usual.
    • Please note that depending on the color of your hair, lightening may result in a different shade. Dark brown hair will turn brown, but using too much bleach can give it an orange tint. Brown hair will become light brown, light brown - light brown, dark blonde - light blonde.Red hair will turn orange, but with a lot of bleach, you will end up with a reddish blonde.
13. 13 Tint your hair. Some people need to tint their hair after lightening in order to achieve the desired shade of hair or to correct imperfections in hair color. However, this is not always necessary and can lead to white-gray hair that you don't like. It is necessary to tint your hair only after the hair has been completely lightened (that is, you will no longer apply a clarifier to your hair). Moreover, it is necessary to wash and dry the hair in order to assess its color after lightening.
14. 14 Prepare toner. In an old bowl, combine the amount of toner, developer, and tawny corrector as indicated in the instructions.
15. 15 Apply toner. Your hair should be completely dry. Use a clean brush to apply toner to strands of hair, separating treated strands with bobby pins or foil pieces and those that still require treatment. Toner is applied in less time than brightener.
16. 16 Let the toner work. The duration of action varies depending on the agent used, but it usually takes about 30 minutes. Wait until the toner turns dark purple. After 15 minutes, test your hair by wiping off some purple toner. Check your hair every 10 minutes until you get the shade you want.
17. 17 Rinse off the toner. Rinse hair with cool water until all toner is removed. Cool water is better than warm water, as it slows down the chemical process, which prevents further hair color changes.
18. 18 Shampoo your hair with purple shampoo. It is a toning shampoo that is used against the yellowness of bleached hair. The purple pigment in the shampoo neutralizes the red and yellow pigments present in bleached hair, resulting in cool blue tones. Rinse your hair quickly with hot water, shampoo it, wait 5 minutes, and then wash off the shampoo with cool water. Cool water will help keep the purple tones in your hair. However, make sure you rinse off the shampoo completely; otherwise, a stain will remain on the towel, and your hair may take on a lavender color (if, when lightened, it turned out to be completely white).
    • There are numerous brands of purple shampoos in various price points. It is better to buy this shampoo in a specialty store. Ask your salesperson for a recommendation of a good shampoo.
19. 19 Take care of your hair. After bleaching, your hair will be brittle and dry, so you need a deep conditioner to moisturize and restore elasticity. Use a deep-acting conditioner (commercial or homemade) at least once a week, leaving it on your hair for 20-30 minutes. For greater effect, it is recommended to apply conditioner to hair and heat it with a hairdryer. If you make your own conditioner from natural ingredients, make sure that it does not deteriorate: such conditioner can last no longer than a few days (or weeks if stored in the refrigerator). If yours lasts longer, throw it away and make a new one.

Method 2 of 4: Brighten Hair with Hydrogen Peroxide

1. 1 Buy hydrogen peroxide. It is a chemical compound that can be used in a variety of situations: for treating cuts, disinfecting countertops, removing stains, and others. It can also be used to lighten hair. You can buy hydrogen peroxide at a pharmacy. Make sure you buy 3% peroxide (see the concentration on the label). Too strong a solution can seriously damage your hair.
2. 2 Start with unprocessed hair. Whichever bleaching method you use will make your hair drier and more brittle than usual. The lightening process will damage less healthy hair. Therefore, do not dye or treat your hair with other chemicals one month before the scheduled lightening.Use mild products like natural shampoo and conditioner to keep your hair as healthy as possible before lightening.
3. 3 Treat your hair with a deep conditioner. A day or two before bleaching, apply a deep conditioner to your hair to moisturize your hair. There are many types of deep-acting conditioners, both cheap and expensive. You can also make your own from natural, usually food, ingredients. Search online for instructions on how to make a deep conditioner using bananas, avocados, mayonnaise, yogurt, eggs, coconut oil, or more. This step will moisturize your hair and make it more elastic, which will help prevent excessive dryness and breakage after bleaching.
4. 4 Check if you are allergic to peroxide. You may find this step time consuming and can be skipped, especially if you want to start lightening as soon as possible. However, this simple precaution will help you avoid skin rashes (or worse) if you happen to be allergic. To test, apply a small amount of peroxide to the area behind your ear. Wait 24 to 48 hours and check for signs of an allergic reaction such as rash, itching, or burning. If allergies are present, however slight, you should try another hair lightening method.
5. 5 Pour the peroxide into a spray bottle. Use a new or old, thoroughly rinsed and dried spray bottle. It will distribute the peroxide evenly throughout your hair. Stock up on cotton balls or pads to apply the product more accurately. Press the spray bottle above the sink several times to make sure it works.
6. 6 Protect your skin and clothing. A brightener can stain clothes and irritate your skin, so prepare accordingly. Put on your old clothes and cover your shoulders with an unnecessary towel, plastic or, if you have one, a hairdresser's dressing gown. Put on gloves. Apply a small amount of petroleum jelly along the hairline and décolleté to protect the skin.
7. 7 Moisturize your hair and divide it into sections. Dampen your hair with warm water and pat dry with a towel. Allow your hair to air dry for a few minutes so that it is still damp without dripping. Divide your hair into sections, curl and secure with a barrette. It is better to use duck hairpins, which are easy to remove with one hand. Do not curl the strand you are going to lighten first.
   • Apply liquid coconut oil to your hair before lightening to protect it. To melt coconut oil, place a sealed jar in hot water. Apply the oil to your hair and massage it in. Wrap your hair in a plastic bag and let the oil saturate your hair (wait a few hours, preferably overnight). Don't wash your hair before applying the bleach.
8. 8 Test the peroxide on strands of hair. Select a section of hair at the back of your head and spray it with peroxide, starting at the roots and ending at the ends of your hair. Leave it on your hair for 20-30 minutes. Rinse off the peroxide and match the color of the strand to a white towel. This will allow you to determine the future color of your hair and the time it takes to lighten.
   • Please note that depending on the color of your hair, lightening may result in a different shade. Dark brown hair will turn brown, but using too much bleach can give it an orange tint. Brown hair will become light brown, light brown - light brown, dark blonde - light blonde. Red hair will turn orange, but with a lot of bleach, you will end up with a reddish blonde.
9. 9 Spray peroxide on your hair. Moisten a loose section of hair with peroxide, making sure you spray it on all sides. The more peroxide solution you use, the lighter your hair will become. Do not spray peroxide directly onto the scalp. This will irritate sensitive skin.Take it gradually and watch how your hair reacts to the peroxide.
   • When the first strand is moistened, peel off the second and treat with peroxide. Repeat the procedure until you have treated all of your hair.
   • If you want to lighten a few strands, instead of spraying your entire head, dip a cotton ball in peroxide and rub the strands you want to lighten with it.
   • For highlighting, select the strands you want to lighten. Place foil underneath to protect the rest of your hair from getting peroxide on it. Apply peroxide to the highlighted strands and wrap them in foil. Highlights are best done with the help of another person.
10. 10 Leave the peroxide on your hair for 30 minutes. The longer you leave the peroxide on your hair, the lighter it becomes. Don't leave the peroxide on your hair for more than 45 minutes. If the peroxide begins to irritate your scalp, wash it off immediately.
    • Using a hair dryer during this procedure will reduce the time it takes to get the desired color. However, if you are unsure of how your hair reacts to hydrogen peroxide, do not heat your hair.
11. 11 Rinse off the peroxide. Use cold water to rinse the peroxide off your hair, then apply a deep conditioner to restore moisture in your hair. Let your hair dry and then style as usual.
12. 12 Repeat the process after a week if necessary. If the process of lightening with peroxide did not lead to the desired hair color, you can repeat this process after a week so that the hair has time to recover. The lightening process has a detrimental effect on your hair, so if you lighten your hair several times in one day (or even within one week), you risk ruining your hair (and seriously - it can even fall out!).
13. 13 Take care of your hair. After bleaching, your hair will be brittle and dry, so you need a deep conditioner to moisturize and restore elasticity. Use a deep-acting conditioner (commercial or homemade) at least once a week, leaving it on your hair for 20-30 minutes. For greater effect, it is recommended to apply conditioner to hair and heat it with a hairdryer. If you make your own conditioner from natural ingredients, make sure that it does not deteriorate: such conditioner can last no longer than a few days (or weeks if stored in the refrigerator). If yours lasts longer, throw it away and make a new one.

Method 3 of 4: Brightening Hair in the Salon

1. 1 Check with a good hairdresser. Most hairdressers know how to lighten their hair properly, but some are more experienced with the process. Talk to your hairdresser so he can tell you about lightening your hair. Ask your hairdresser how often you can bleach your hair, how different types of hair are treated, and so on. Also, ask about how to take care of your hair and how (according to the hairdresser's opinion) your hair will react to the lightening process.
   • Ask your hairdresser if your hair is healthy enough to lighten it. Some hairdressers refuse to lighten dyed hair as it will harm them.
2. 2 Choose a shade of bleached hair. Bleached hair can come in different shades. You can go platinum, ash, or any other blonde. Bring a photo of the person with the desired hair color. This will help your hairdresser decide on the right bleaching method.
3. 3 Please note that the process of lightening your hair will take a long time. The hairdresser needs to wash your hair, mix the brightening solution and apply it to your hair. Then you will wait for 30 minutes (or so). The hairdresser will then wash and dry your hair.
   • You may have to visit the salon twice if you want to go from brunette to blonde.
   • Your hairdresser can also do highlights.It is better to do it not on your own, but to entrust the process to another person, since the other person sees your head from above and can apply the brightening solution evenly.
4. 4 Take care of your hair. After bleaching, your hair will be brittle and dry, so you need a deep conditioner to moisturize and restore elasticity. Use a deep-acting conditioner (commercial or homemade) at least once a week, leaving it on your hair for 20-30 minutes. For greater effect, it is recommended to apply conditioner to hair and heat it with a hairdryer. If you make your own conditioner from natural ingredients, make sure that it does not deteriorate: such conditioner can last no longer than a few days (or weeks if stored in the refrigerator). If yours lasts longer, throw it away and make a new one.

Method 4 of 4: Lightening Hair with Lemon Juice

1. 1 Start with unprocessed hair. Whichever bleaching method you use will make your hair drier and more brittle than usual. The lightening process will damage less healthy hair. Therefore, do not dye or treat your hair with other chemicals one month before the scheduled lightening. Use mild products like natural shampoo and conditioner to keep your hair as healthy as possible before lightening.
2. 2 Treat your hair with a deep conditioner. A day or two before bleaching, apply a deep conditioner to your hair to moisturize your hair. There are many types of deep-acting conditioners, both cheap and expensive. You can also make your own from natural, usually food, ingredients. Search online for instructions on how to make a deep conditioner using bananas, avocados, mayonnaise, yogurt, eggs, coconut oil, or more. This step will moisturize your hair and make it more elastic, which will help prevent excessive dryness and breakage after bleaching.
3. 3 Juice several lemons. Depending on the length of your hair, you need 2 to 5 lemons. Cut the lemons in half and use a citrus juicer or hand to squeeze the juice into a bowl. Remove the seeds when you're done squeezing out the juice.
   • Don't use bottled lemon juice. It contains preservatives that can damage your hair.
4. 4 Dilute lemon juice with water. Applying undiluted juice to your hair can dry it out a lot, so it's important to dilute the juice with water. Add 1: 1 water to a bowl of lemon juice.
5. 5 Pour the solution into a spray bottle. It is best to use a new spray bottle available from the store, but you can also use an old one that you already have. If you are using an old spray bottle, make sure it is completely clean. Wash it with soap and water before adding the lemon juice solution. Shake the diluted lemon juice well and spray several times over the sink to make sure the spray bottle works.
6. 6 Spray the lemon juice solution onto your hair. Treat the area you want to lighten with a moderate amount of solution, making sure the hair is completely damp. Apply a generous amount of lemon juice to the areas you want to brighten more. The more lemon juice you use, the lighter your hair will become.
   • If you want to lighten just a few strands, use a cotton ball to apply the solution where you want to lighten.
7. 7 Go outside and put your hair in the sun. The sun will activate the lemon juice and lead to lighter hair. Wait for the lemon juice to dry completely on your hair (about 30 minutes). Remember to protect yourself from sun damage while lightening your hair. Remember that this procedure can dry out your hair. Sitting in the sun for a long time will help your hair become lighter, but it will also cause some damage to it.
8. 8 Wash your hair. After the lemon juice is dry, shampoo your hair, then apply a good moisturizing conditioner to your hair. Style your hair as usual.
   • After the hair is dry, take a look at the resulting color. If you want your hair to be lighter, repeat the procedure after a few days.

Tips

• Trim the ends of your hair after bleaching to get rid of dry ends and make your hair look healthier.
• If you like the natural method of lightening your hair, try other options for lightening your hair with handy remedies, such as honey, olive oil, and chamomile tea.

Warnings

• Do not lighten your hair if it falls out or if you are using a hair strengthening product. With the correct bleaching of hair, they should not fall out, but there is a possibility of this. If you are unsure of how your hair will react to the lightening process, we strongly recommend that you visit a hairdressing salon.
• Keep in mind that with bleached hair, you will look a little (or even completely) different. Your cosmetics or even clothes will no longer look good with your new hair color. Typically, blonde hair accentuates skin imperfections.
• Some doctors recommend that pregnant and lactating women avoid using hair lightening chemicals. The chemicals are absorbed into the skin and can pass into breast milk (however, the amount of chemicals is so small that there is no need to worry about it). If you are still concerned about this, consult your doctor or use a natural bleaching product.
• Don't try to lighten your eyelashes or eyebrows. The lightener can get in your eyes and cause severe irritation or even blindness. You must consult with your hairdresser to complete this procedure correctly and safely.