How To Bleach Gray Hair The Right Way

Gray hair is the body’s subtle way to notify us that our hair follicles are losing melanin with age (1). However, aging is not the only factor that leads to graying hair.Other factors like vitamin B12 deficiency, thyroid disease, vitiligo, and alopecia areata can speed graying (2). And with that, it often gets tough to cover gray hair or even establish a good hair care routine. So, many people resort to bleaching their gray hair strands or using dark hair dye to cover them. Gray hair is often dyed, but it is harder to cover it at the roots, particularly as hair grows out. Bleaching can help address this issue.

Did You Know?

Melanin is the compound responsible for imparting color to your hair. Eumelanin is responsible for black and brown hair, and pheomelanin is responsible for red, orange, golden, and other hair colors (3).

Scroll down to find out how to bleach gray hair at home.

Can You Bleach Gray Hair?

Yes. Bleaching gray hair can help remove the existing dye in your hair. The bleach hair treatment is especially recommended if the shade of your dye is darker than your natural hair color.

Otherwise, you can gradually shift from using a dark-colored dye to a lighter shade that blends well with your gray hair. For example, gray hair can be colored platinum blonde or brown, based on the natural color of your hair.

Curious to know how bleaching works on your gray hair? Check out the next section for the answer.

What Happens When You Put Bleach On Gray Hair?

Bleaching gray areas of your hair will not show any visible difference. However, the bleaching mix helps lighten the hair that is still dark. This imparts a uniform blonde or white look to your hair, based on how long you leave the bleach mix. If you dye your gray hair, shift to a lighter shade before bleaching.

Now that you know the effects of bleaching gray hair, lets go about the process.

Bleaching Gray Hair The Right Way

You Will Need

• Bleach powder (1 part)
• Developer (2 parts)
• Gloves
• Old t-shirt
• Applicator brush
• Shower cap

Keep the items mentioned above ready before you start bleaching your hair at home.

The Process

Step 1: Prepare the bleach mix with the bleach powder and developer. Pick the ideal volume of the developer as per your needs. Follow the instructions carefully as mentioned on the product packaging. You can also add coconut oil to this mixture to neutralize the drying effect of the bleach. Make sure it is clean and free from any styling products or residues. Here is a thorough guide explaining ways to prepare your hair for bleaching that you may want to consider before taking the plunge.

Step 2: Wear the gloves and part your hair into four sections.

Step 3: Apply the bleach mix to your hair using the applicator brush. Make sure to coat each section of your hair evenly.

Step 4: Cover your head with the shower cap. This helps retain heat so that the bleach can lighten your hair color effectively.

Step 5: Leave the bleach mix on your hair for 15 to 20 minutes.

Step 6: Rinse your hair with a mild shampoo and conditioner.

Note: Do a patch test on a small hair section from the back of your head. Wait for at least 24 hours to observe for any allergic reaction before the bleaching process.

After successfully bleaching your gray hair, it’s important to follow proper aftercare steps to maintain its health and vibrancy. Scroll down to find out what these tips are!

Aftercare Tips For Bleached Hair

Bleached hair requires extra care to stay healthy and prevent damage. Following a consistent routine can help maintain its vibrancy and softness. Here are some simple tips to protect your bleached hair:

• Use shampoos that are free of sulfates to avoid stripping your hair of its natural moisture.
• Deep condition your hair regularly, at least once a week, to keep it hydrated.
• Limit the use of heat styling tools to reduce further damage. Avoid using any heat styling tools for at least two weeks after the bleaching process.
• Apply hair oils or serums designed for bleached hair to prevent dryness.
• Trim split ends regularly to keep your hair looking fresh.

If you have gray hair but want a whiter shade, bleaching your hair may not be the answer for you. Keep reading to know more.

Can You Bleach Gray Hair To White?

Yes. If you leave the bleach on your gray hair for a long time, it might turn white. However, there is no guarantee for this, and the results might not always be effective.

Also, keeping the bleach on your hair for an unnecessarily long time will cause dryness and brittleness. Instead, you can use a purple toning shampoo to make your gray hair appear whiter.

Note: If you have textured curly or coily hair, using bleach can ruin your curls. Moreover, If you try heat styling your textured hair after bleaching it, your hair can turn yellow. Therefore, it is best to get your hair textured hair bleached by a professional help. And always tone your hair after it has been bleached.

Quick Tip

Purple shampoo contains blue pigments that neutralize brassy tones in gray and white hair and make it look brighter.

Infographic: A Simple Guide To Bleaching Gray Hair

Save a few pennies by covering up your grays right at home. Although every component of it has been covered in-depth in the article, we have simplified the procedure for you here.
Check out the infographic below to learn more about how to bleach gray hair.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I lighten my gray hair white?

You can use bleach and other natural ingredients or silver toner to lighten your gray hair.

Can I bleach my silver hair?

Yes, you can bleach your silver hair. It removes any yellowish hues, ensuring you stay in fashion with your uniformly glossy, silver hair.

Does gray hair need bleaching?

Gray hair is difficult to color at the roots. However, if you want a uniform shade of hair, bleaching can make your grays lighter and easier to color.

What are the potential side effects of bleaching gray hair?

Bleaching gray hair can make it dry, rough, and brittle and cause the color to fade over time. Use moisturizing treatments regularly and avoid bleaching too often to prevent damage to keep your hair healthy.

Illustration: The Best Way To Bleach Gray Hair At Home

Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

Wondering what happens when you bleach gray hair? Watch this video for information on this surprising dyeing outcome when silver strands meet bleach. Check it out!

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