Bleaching Red Hair: A Complete Guide To Going Blonde

Going blonde is fun. But if you have red hair and want to turn it blonde, it can be challenging. Bleaching red hair is not easy, and there is some science behind it. The Melanocortin-1 Receptor (MC1R) gene in red hair is responsible for its color (1). Interestingly, only 0.5% of the population in the world has this hair type. Hence, the options to bleach red hair could be relatively scarce.

In a study conducted on 12,741 individuals, it was found that 306 individuals or 2.4% of them had red hair. It was also observed that gene MC1R was responsible for red hair color. So having red hair color is very rare. So further bleaching red hair to blonde is very rare.

But worry not. This article explores all you need to know before turning your red tresses blonde. Continue reading.

Transition From Red Hair To Blonde – What It Entails

The transition from natural red to blonde hair is not as easy as a walk in the park. Red hair has some of the most potent pigments and molecules attached to it.

Hence, it will be difficult to remove the pigments in one session. It will, in fact, take several sessions of hair treatment before you can get blonde hair. However, converting your hair from red to blonde is not impossible.

Blonde hair is a light shade compared to red hair. Hence, you will need to bleach your hair to turn it from reddish to blonde. Bear in mind the consequences of bleaching your hair.

Blonde hair, like red hair, has more sub-types in color. So, it’s important to consult a professional and check out different blonde hair color ideas to get a good idea of the hair color you want. The most common blonde hair dye shades are platinum, ash, and gold. Alternatively, you can try a combination of red and blonde, which will give you a strawberry blonde look.

If you are considering keeping your red hair and adding a blonde touch to it, you can try that as well.

You can add blonde hair highlights to your natural red hair, get a red to blonde balayage, opt for red hair with blonde bangs, or go for any other hair look you wish. Ultimately, you need to decide on which option you are leaning towards.

Did You Know?

Humans have two types of melanin – eumelanin (black to brown shades) and pheomelanin (red to pink shades). Pheomelanin predominates over eumelanin in people with red hair.

Convert Red Hair To Blonde Without Hair Damage

Before turning your hair from red to blonde, it is almost always helpful to get some professional advice, especially if you are trying it for the first time. It would be best if you visit a hair salon and talk to a hair stylist/consultant to get advice about your hair.

The following steps will help you get blonde hair without damage.

1. Remove Previous Dyes

Before dyeing your red hair blonde, the first step is to remove any previous dye from your hair.

There are special products formulated to remove color from your hair. You will also need to get rid of all the product build-up.

Olivia Spinks, a YouTuber, shared that she had to use strip dye on her hair to remove a previous red dye, which led to her hair appearing ginger after the first use; so, she had to use it twice. She states in her video, “I remember it wasn’t blonde like this [present hair] but it was kind of like a golden, kind of yellowy blonde to be honest. And then my brown roots were growing through, so it wasn’t that much of a look, to be honest (i).” Olivia eventually went to a hairdresser to get it fixed.

Use a clarifying shampoo to remove all the buildup from your hair over a few washes. It will help remove the buildup on the outer layer of your hair and cuticles.

2. Prepare Your Hair

Decrease shampoo usage and let your hair roots recover from all the shampooing. Condition your hair as it will help during the bleaching phase.

Also, ensure that you do not have any split ends. Trim them if you find any, or they will advance to the roots and damage your hair.

3. Bleaching Done Right

Follow the instructions given on the box thoroughly if you plan to bleach hair at home. Mix the developer and bleach and apply it to your hair. Avoid applying too much bleach to your hair.

While trying to remove your natural red hair color, it is better to prolong the treatment duration over multiple sessions. Do not be hasty, or it may cost you your hair.

Quick Tip

Bleaching may lead to dryness. Apply nourishing natural oils like coconut oil to offset this hair damage.

4. Tone Your Hair

Your blonde hair may still contain some red or orange tones, even after bleaching. Use a purple base hair toner to remove these brassy tones. You may also prepare a DIY hair toner by mixing 1 tablespoon of sulfate-free shampoo with two drops of purple food color, and 1 teaspoon of baking soda.

5. Protect Your Hair From Excessive Stress

Both chemical and physical stress can have a lasting impact on your hair’s health. Chemically-treated hair can cause a loss in volume, glow, silkiness, or dryness (2). Make sure to take care of your hair and protect it from damage.

After dyeing your hair blonde, you need to take special care of it. Read on to discover more hair care tips.

How To Care For Your New Blonde Hair

Congratulations, you have done it! Your red hair is now officially blonde. Now, it is time to learn how to look after your bleached hair.

Here are the top tips that can help you care for your new blonde hair:

• Use nourishing hair products developed for blonde color-treated hair, as these will preserve your blonde color while giving it hydration and protection.
• Use a conditioner regularly. Allow the conditioner to moisturize your hair for a few minutes before you rinse it off.
• Use a hair mask after a shower to add more moisture to your hair. Also, use a hair protection serum to prevent hair damage.
• Over time, your hair will start showing brassy tones. To avoid this, use a purple shampoo regularly.
• Choose heat-free hairstyles to prevent damage to your scalp or hair.

After bleaching, the UV rays of the sun become more harmful to your hair. They affect the keratin – the building blocks of hair – and melanin pigments that regulate hair color (3). Thus, you must cover your hair from sunlight.

The next section lists a few DIY tips that can also help.

DIY Tips That Work

• Natural antioxidants and hair reconstruction products like artichoke and rice will help treat your hair fibers (3).
• Keep your hair hydrated with lukewarm water.
• You can use natural lightening products like honey with conditioner to maintain your blonde hair.
• You may also dilute some lemon juice with water and apply it to your hair as a natural hair bleach.

Keep reading to learn some common but avoidable mistakes while bleaching your red hair.

Common Mistakes To Avoid When Bleaching Red Hair

Here, are some of the common mistakes people commit while bleaching their red hair:

1. Bleaching Too Often: Bleaching red hair twice in a short time frame can result in severe damage. Give your hair time to recover between sessions—ideally about 3 months—to prevent excessive breakage and frizz.
2. Skipping The Strand Test: Always do a strand test before going all in. This helps you see how your hair will react to bleach and prevent any surprises.
3. Skipping Conditioner: You need to use a conditioner both before and after bleaching. Otherwise, your hair will become excessively dry. Your hair needs moisture to stay healthy, so do not overlook this step.
4. Washing Before Bleaching: Avoid washing your hair right before bleaching. Natural oils protect your hair from some of the bleach’s harsh effects, so, let them build up for at least 3 days before starting the process.

Infographic: Quick Steps To Dye Your Hair Blonde

You can now take your locks from boring to fabulous in just a few simple steps. Blonde hair dyeing doesn’t have to be difficult; all you need to do is follow a few easy steps – from picking the appropriate hue to prepping your hair for the procedure. Check out the infographic below to learn more about the steps to dye your hair blonde.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

What does hydrogen peroxide do to red hair?

Hydrogen peroxide is an oxidizing agent used in the hair coloring process to lighten the underlying melanin in the hair (1). Therefore, if applied to red hair, it may alter the color of the hair strands and allow the new color to sit on them.

How can I choose the right bleach and developer for my red hair, and what are some key differences between different types of products?

To select the appropriate bleach and developer for red hair, you should consider various factors such as the desired lift level of bleached hair, and hair condition. There are three kinds of bleach – powder, cream, and color. Decide on the basis of the desired effect you want and how much you want to lighten your hair.

What are some safety precautions to take when bleaching red hair?

To safely bleach red hair, take these precautions:

• Wear gloves to protect your skin
• Avoid contact with eyes and skin
• Work in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling fumes
• Protect clothing and surfaces from stains
• Follow instructions on bleach and developer carefully
• Use a hair mask or treatment to restore moisture and nourishment to your hair after bleaching.

Does green shampoo remove red hair dye?

Green shampoo is typically used to neutralize red or orange tones in hair, so it may be able to help fade red hair dye over time. However, the effectiveness of green shampoo will depend on a variety of factors, such as the intensity of the red dye, the porosity of your hair, and the specific formula of the green shampoo.

Will bleaching red hair turn it pink?

Bleaching red hair can sometimes cause it to turn pink or orange, especially if the red dye is a bright or vivid shade. This is because red is one of the hardest colors to remove from hair, and it can be difficult to fully bleach out. Additionally, when red hair is bleached, it can sometimes reveal underlying warm tones, which can contribute to a pink or orange hue.

What color cancels out red hair dye?

Green is the color that cancels out red hair dye, as it is opposite red on the color wheel. Green hair products, such as green shampoos or hair toners, can help to neutralize red tones in hair that are unwanted or have faded to an orange or brassy hue.

Illustration: How To Dye Reddish Hair Blonde

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Transforming your hair from red to blonde doesn’t have to be a challenge anymore – as you can now do it in under 3 hours. In this easy tutorial, you will learn how to do a color correction and get that perfect blonde shade quicker than you thought possible.

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Kimberly JenkinsCertified Trichologist

     

Kimberly Jenkins is a certified trichologist and cosmetologist with over 20 years of experience in the field. She runs the trichology department at the world’s largest hair hospital. She is also the US Trichology Trainer for Cesare Regazzi.

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Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief

 

Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

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Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal.

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Medha Deb is a commerce editor with a master's degree in applied linguistics from the University of Hyderabad, which has allowed her to develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts. She specializes in the areas of beauty, health, and wellness and is committed to ensuring that the content on the website is of the highest quality.

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