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8 No-Fail Steps for Lightening Hair with Hydrogen Peroxide

Were you one of those teenagers or college students who expected your hair would turn out like a blonde bombshell after bleaching it with hydrogen peroxide?

You probably figured out the hard way, when your hair ended up dry and damaged, that even though using hydrogen peroxide to lighten hair is relatively easy, it doesn’t always deliver the luxurious blonde tresses you were hoping for.

So, now you want to know how to lighten hair with Hydrogen Peroxide correctly. Don’t worry we will show you the right steps for doing so.

Using Hydrogen Peroxide on Your Hair

hydrogen peroxide to lighten hair

Bleaching hair with peroxide may seem like a simple, no-brainer DIY project, but remember, it does involve chemicals.

A few simple precautions can improve your odds of getting it right and prevent your hair from ending up looking like a haystack.

If possible, get a friend to help you apply the peroxide evenly to your hair, especially in hard-to-reach areas in the back.

If you’ve already got color-treated hair, we recommend going to a beauty salon, because the professionals there can fix and correct mishaps if things go kablooey along the way.

Items You Need to Lighten Hair with Hydrogen Peroxide

If you’re still determined to apply hydrogen peroxide hair bleach on your own, the first step is to have healthy, untreated hair.

You might want to rethink your plan and hold off for a few months until new, healthy hair grows in, especially if you’re already battling with split ends and breakage, or if you have brittle, color-treated hair.

If you decide to move forward, then be sure to have all your tools and materials ready. They include:

  • Hydrogen Peroxide 3%
  • An old towel to cover your shoulders
  • Spray bottle (for applying peroxide to large sections of hair)
  • Plastic gloves
  • Comb
  • Clock or watch (to keep track of the time)
  • Small rubber bands (to keep your test strands together)
  • Hair clips (to separate large sections of hair)
  • Hair dryer (optional)
  • Cold water (to stop the chemical reaction once you’ve achieved your ideal color)
  • Clarifying shampoo and deep conditioner (to ensure a clean head of hair when you start)

For Highlights Only (in addition to the above items)

  • Small bowl (to dip a brush in for highlights and for strand test)
  • Small brush or toothbrush (for applying highlights)
  • Aluminum foil (to keep dyed hair separate from rest of the hair.)

How to Lighten Hair with Hydrogen Peroxide

hair lightening using hydrogen peroxide - before and after
lightening hair using hydrogen peroxide – before and after
  1. Shampoo, condition, and towel dry your hair, leaving it slightly damp. Place the towel around your shoulders.
  2. Put on gloves and pour the peroxide into the spray bottle or the bowl.
  3. Dip your hair strands into the bowl of peroxide to do the test sample. The longer you leave the peroxide on, the lighter your hair will become. Fifteen minutes is usually long enough to get an idea.
  4. Once you have confirmed, via your strand test, the optimal length of time to keep the hydrogen peroxide in your hair, you’re ready to begin applying the rest. Use clips to section off hair as necessary. If you are just highlighting individual sections, wrap those areas with aluminum foil to protect the rest of the hair from being lightened.
  5. Avoid extended contact with the face or skin. Don’t be overly concerned about getting a few drops on you here and there. After all, hydrogen peroxide is a wound cleaner and disinfectant, so it won’t harm you at all in small quantities.
  6. If you’re confident about the results and want to speed up the lightening process, use a hairdryer.
  7. Once you’ve achieved the desired shade, rinse your hair thoroughly with cold water.
    Important: Do not use hot water to remove the hydrogen peroxide, as it will further dry out your hair.
  8. Immediately after rinsing, apply a generous amount of conditioner to moisturize your hair. Leave it on for at least 5-6 minutes, and then rinse again thoroughly.

Maintenance

When you use hydrogen peroxide to lighten hair, it’s essential to nourish it and keep it healthy afterward.

Wash your hair (no more than twice a week) with a mild clarifying shampoo and apply a hydrating conditioner.

If possible, also apply a hot oil treatment at least once a week for extra moisture, strength, and shine.

Using hydrogen peroxide to lighten your hair color is an inexpensive, quick and easy way to enhance the blonde and copper tones in your natural hair.

When you take a few extra minutes to do some preliminary strand testing, you’ll increase your chances of achieving a successful result at a fraction of the cost.

FAQs

How long does hydrogen peroxide take to lighten hair?

It typically takes 30 minutes to an hour to lighten your hair with peroxide. It depends on how thick your hair is and how intense your natural color is.

Can hydrogen peroxide make my hair fall out?

This chemical can make your hair fall out if you use it over a long period. The compound lightens hair by breaking down the melanin in the hair shaft. Repeatedly putting your hair through this process can weaken the hair, causing it to break down and eventually fall out.

Hydrogen peroxide or bleach: what is less damaging?

Hydrogen peroxide is less harsh than bleach, which makes it less damaging. However, no chemical is safe on your hair. All chemicals cause a bit of damage to your hair, especially if you use them long-term.

Is hydrogen peroxide safe for the scalp?

Your scalp is a sensitive area on your skin. Consistent hydrogen peroxide use on your scalp can cause dermatitis. Dermatitis is inflammation of the skin along with a painful and itchy rash.

How long should I leave hydrogen peroxide on my hair?

When using hydrogen peroxide to lighten your hair, only leave it on for 30 to 60 minutes. Some recipes for at-home hair lightening mixtures with peroxide state you should leave it on for 15 minutes.

Be sure to look at the instructions if you choose to use a recipe, so you do not leave it on too long and risk further damage.

Does hydrogen peroxide bleach your hair?

It will lighten your hair. It is commonly used on its own but can also be combined with blonde hair dyes. It can technically bleach your hair since bleaching your hair refers to stripping the color away and lightening it.

Can hydrogen peroxide dissolve hair?

It definitely can dissolve hair. Many people use it to dissolve hair in the drain or the sink. It will not dissolve hair on your hair after the first use. It would take many treatments to break your hair down so much that it breaks off.

Can I dye hair after using hydrogen peroxide?

After using hydrogen peroxide, you can dye your hair. Avoid lightening the hair and applying hair dye in the same treatment. Many blonde hair dyes contain hydrogen peroxide as a lightening agent.

Wait to apply color after peroxide because it could have adverse reactions in the worst case. In the best case, your hair will be dry and brittle.

Will hydrogen peroxide remove hair dye?

Peroxide breaks down the hair shaft and affects melanin levels and production. If you mix this compound with equal parts of water, you can remove hair dye.

What can I use instead of hydrogen peroxide to lighten hair?

Common alternatives are lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, and bleach. If you are unsure about performing these methods, consult a hair professional.

Besides peroxide, the only other chemical agent is bleach. Bleach is generally more harmful to your hair, so it is not the next best course of action if you cannot use peroxide.

What’s the difference between hydrogen peroxide and hair developer?

A developer is also known as a peroxide or activator. A developer is a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water. Most developers contain peroxide, but not all hydrogen peroxide is a developer.

Developers come in various strengths from 10 to 40. You have to use a 30 or 40-volume developer to get any color lift from your hair. However, 40 volume developers can cause hair damage.

Does hydrogen peroxide damage hair follicles?

Using hydrogen peroxide continuously can damage hair follicles. It can also cause hair to become brittle and break down. Using it often can suppress hair growth. Remember, any chemical combination on your hair is damaging.

Can I mix hydrogen peroxide with conditioner?

Yes, you can mix it with a conditioner. Many people do this to try and protect their hair follicles and to gradually lighten their hair. You have to dilute the hydrogen peroxide somehow, so using a conditioner is a good way to do that.

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