What is bleach?
First of all, how does bleach work? Essentially, bleach is a chemical lightener that removes the pigment from your hair, leaving it permanently lighter. Usually, this involves a bleach powder and a developer. However, when it comes to bleaching hair at home, you can get a handy bleach kit that contains both the powder and the developer in one. For instance, we stock two Bleach Lightening Kits, available below. Our 30-volume version is slightly gentler, ideal for hair that is already light or damaged. Our 40-volume version is stronger, perfect for very dark virgin hair.
What is my hair level?
You might be wondering- ‘how do I bleach dark hair?’ The first step is to determine your hair level, so that you can figure out how much you need to bleach. Here is our handy hair level guide:
Hair levels refer to how dark your hair is. If your hair is a level 7 or darker, you’ll probably want to bleach before attempting to colour, especially if you want a lighter result (like a pastel colour). Levels 5-7 should be fairly easy to bleach with a 30-volume bleach. Levels 1-4, however, will require 40-volume bleach, and may take a couple of rounds of bleach to get as light as you need. Remember that your hair health is the most important thing- don’t bleach your hair if it’s damaged and brittle. Different hair types may also react differently to bleach- coarser hair may struggle with lightening, while more porous hair will absorb the bleach much quicker. If you have any concerns about bleaching your hair, we recommend erring on the safe side. You can always contact our customer service team with any questions.
What is a strand test?
A strand test is something you should do before any product application. It involves trying the product out on a small strand of hair first, so that you can see if your hair reacts positively to it. Here’s the step-by-step tutorial:
First, select a strand that’s out of the way and can be easily hidden. We recommend picking a lock of hair from the nape of your neck. Apply the bleach as instructed, and leave it to process for the time shown on the packaging (usually around 30 mins). After the processing time, rinse the strand with cool water and examine it. This will give you a good idea of how blonde your hair will get. If the strand is darker than you want, and the hair seems completely healthy, it may mean that you’ll need a longer processing time (never over 45 mins). If the hair is at all damaged (breaking, gummy, or brittle), we recommend giving up on your bleach dreams, at least for the time being. You don’t want to risk damaging your entire head of hair. If, however, the hair is light and healthy, then congratulations- you’re ready to bleach!
What is a patch test?
A patch test is similar to a strand test, but it involves your skin instead of your hair. Harsh chemicals like bleach can sometimes be harmful to sensitive skin, leading to rashes, redness, and even, in extreme cases, chemical burns. To avoid harming your entire scalp, we recommend doing a patch test before bleaching. You can do this alongside your strand test. Simply find a small patch of skin, roughly the size of a 10p coin, and ensure that it’s clean and clear. Apply a small dollop of your bleach to the patch, and leave for the suggested processing time. Rinse off with cool water, and keep the area surveilled for the next 24-48 hours. If you notice any adverse reaction, it may mean that bleach is simply not for you. However, if the skin remains clear and free of irritation, you can move forward with your bleaching.
What do you need to bleach your hair at home?
Here is a list of the equipment needed for bleaching hair:
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Bleach- you’ll of course need one of our bleach kits. Make sure that you’ve picked the correct strength for you, and make sure that you’ve purchased enough- for longer hair, we recommend two or three boxes of bleach.
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Mixing bowl & brush- these are essential for mixing the powder and developer, and for applying your bleach.
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Gloves- you don’t want to risk getting too much bleach on your hands, so make sure that you have a pair of gloves for applying the bleach.
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Old clothes & towels- yes, your bathroom will be like your very own salon. However, even for bleach connoisseurs, there’s always a chance of making a bit of a mess. To avoid permanently staining your clothes or surfaces, make sure that you’re wearing old clothes and that you have some old towels on standby.
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Foils- these are optional, but can be helpful to keep your hair sectioned and warm (warm hair processes faster).
How to bleach hair at home-
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Done your patch and strand tests? Prepped your station? Got your gloves ready and plenty of free time? Make sure that everything is absolutely 100% ready before opening the bleach, and read the instructions in your packaging carefully.
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Section your hair into four quadrants, starting from the very top of your head and splitting your hair into four equal sections. The easiest way to do this is in a diamond shape, with a front section, a back section, and two side sections. Don’t worry if this isn’t super precise- it’s just to help you handle your hair a little bit at a time.
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Open the bleach, and mix the developer and powder together as instructed on your packaging.
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Pick one of your four quadrants to start with. Make sure all other hair is tied neatly out of the way. With gloves on, pull a small section from the bottom of your quadrant, and move the rest of the hair out of the way.
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Use your brush to paint the bleach onto the hair section. Make sure that the hair is completely saturated in bleach- you can use your fingers if you want to really get in there. Leave about an inch of room from the roots of your hair, free of bleach.
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You can fold a piece of foil over this section of hair to keep it warm and separate from the rest- just make sure not to scrunch up the hair too much, as this can cause damage and hot spots.
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Work your way up the quadrant, painting strand by strand. Ensure that everything is fully saturated. Once you’ve finished, move on to another quadrant.
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Once you’re done with the main parts of hair, go back to the beginning, and take the first strand you did out of the foil- does it look orange or yellow? Once it’s yellow, it’s time to do the roots- go back through the hair, pulling out one strand at a time in the same order as earlier. Paint the bleach onto the roots, making sure to saturate them. Don’t rub your roots too much, as you don’t want to irritate your scalp. We do the roots last because they’re much warmer, and therefore process much quicker. You should only leave bleach on the roots for about 10 mins.
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Ideally, the whole head of hair shouldn’t take you any longer than half an hour, but don’t worry if you’re working slowly. The best way to avoid over-bleaching is to make a note of when you finish working on each quadrant. That way, you can rinse the first quadrant first, and then make your way around the head in the same order you bleached, so that all the sections have the same processing time.
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We recommend 30 mins of processing time, although different products may vary. Always check the packaging for instructions. If your head is in pain, or if you start to notice damaged hair, rinse off the bleach immediately.
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After the processing time is over, rinse your hair with cold water. Make sure that you get all of the bleach out- wash multiple times if necessary.
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You’re blonde! Or, maybe you’re a little orange, but don’t worry- simply consult our hair level chart again, to see if your current colour will allow you to get the colour result you’re looking for. If not, let your hair rest for a couple of days, and, if it’s not showing any damage, you can bleach it again to get even lighter!
How do I care for bleached hair?
Once your hair has been successfully bleached, you may be wondering how best to take care of it. We recommend always lavishing your hair with nourishing, conditioning formulas, especially when it’s dry or damaged. Check out our enriching shampoos, conditioners, and hair masks below:
You can also use toning shampoos and conditioners to achieve a more specific colour result. For example, if you’re still noticing some yellow tones in your hair and want a whiter result, try our Virgin Snow Toner for an ash white.
Or for a silver-toned result, check out our Silver Stiletto products:
Bleach FAQs:
How long can I leave bleach in my hair?
As we explained above, we recommend leaving bleach in for approximately 30 minutes, but this can differ depending on the strength of the bleach and on your hair- if in doubt, always refer back to your product packaging. And if you start to feel any discomfort or damage, always remove the bleach immediately!
How long does bleached hair last?
Bleached hair is permanent, so make sure that you’ve thought it through before bleaching your own hair. Your hair will be lighter permanently, at least until your natural roots grow all the way back out.
How to bleach hair without damage?
The best way to ensure that you’re not damaging your hair is to perform your patch and strand tests diligently, and to keep checking your hair every 10 mins during the processing time. Unfortunately, your hair may always be a little drier and more brittle than before bleaching. Make sure that you’re aware of this going in, and that you have all of the products necessary to nurse your hair back to full health.
Can I bleach red dyed hair?
When bleaching hair, one of the most common questions is- Can I bleach coloured hair? The answer is yes, but be aware that previously bleached or dyed hair may react differently to new products. Always think about the pigments present- red hair, for example, contains plenty of orange pigment. That means that you’ll get a very brassy result. Other colours can also be hard to get out- blue and green shades famously take a lot of rounds of bleach to clear. To avoid damaging your hair too much, we recommend going in first with a colour remover, which is less harsh. Then attempt a bleach or two, and go over the top with a toner that counteracts the pigment you’re trying to get rid of.
So, are you ready to bleach your own hair? Hopefully, this guide has covered absolutely everything you need to know to create a home salon. However, if you’re still nervous about putting your hair’s fate in your hands, why not check out our salon directory? Our ambassador salons are stocked with Manic Panic products and serviced by talented and experienced hair stylists. If you’re worried about your hair and want to get a professional bleaching experience, find your nearest salon here, and allow one of our ambassador stylists to work their magic!
Whether you decide to bleach your own hair or get a little help, we can’t wait to see the results. Tag us @manicpanic_uk with your bleach transformations!
