How To Bleach Hair White

White hair was once considered a dreaded sign of aging. However, now it has become a fashion statement. Hence, white hair bleaching has become the new trend as many celebrities across the globe are flaunting gray hair gracefully.

While the number of older people accepting their natural gray hair is increasing, we also see an amazing trend where youth with dark hair are showing interest in white hair bleaching. Celebrities like Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber have stunned the world by flaunting their bleached platinum blond style, inspiring many youngsters.

Before You Get Started

• Several sessions are necessary to bleach dark hair and the process requires 2-4 weeks of recovery time after each session to avoid hair damage.
• If you are bleaching your hair at home, use a 20-volume developer and a good-quality purple toner after each session to prevent hair damage.
• Use a good quality blue or purple shampoo to get rid of orange and yellow tones in the hair after bleaching.

Dyeing Your Hair White

White hair makes one look dignified and sophisticated, and it is no surprise that many older people say no to hair dyeing and flaunt their natural hair color with pride. But, what if your locks are not naturally graying? Can you still safely color your hair white?

Achieving white hair that looks gorgeous and healthy when your natural hair is darker is not a simple process. However, by following a few easy tips and taking precautions, you can dye your naturally blonde, brunette, or even black hair a lovely shade of platinum.

Be sure to use the best quality products available for hair lightening and consult a hairdresser, if needed. Taking proper care of your bleached hair is important as color-treated hair is more delicate than natural, untouched hair (1).

Lola Kate, a vlogger, shared her experience bleaching her own hair in an attempt to achieve a solid, creamy blonde color from root to tip. She emphasized the importance of professional assistance and advised against self-bleaching due to potential hair damage. She also said, “I can keep my eye on both of these side sections to make sure that it is not left on for too long and that the hair is not being compromised or over-processed once I finish applying the last section (i).”

But, before going for a bleached white hair look, you need to ask yourself a few questions to determine whether the hair color is for you or not.

Did You Know?

Taylor swift bleached her hair white for her Met Gala look in 2016 and paired it with a silver dress.

Am I A Good Candidate For Bleached White Hair?

It is easy to find general instructions to bleach hair at home and follow them step-by-step to lighten your hair. However, bleaching your hair completely white is quite a tricky job. Not everyone is a good candidate for bleached white hair! Here are a few factors that determine if your hair is suitable to be bleached:

• Do You Have Virgin Hair?

Only those with virgin hair should consider dyeing their hair white. Virgin hair refers to hair that has never been dyed before or does not have any trace of any previous hair dye. If you have colored hair or hair highlights, you should wait until the dyed hair has grown out before bleaching your hair.

• Is Your Hair Healthy?

Do you have healthy, dandruff-free hair? Is your hair prone to breakage or split ends? Having healthy hair is a prerequisite for dyeing your hair white. Dull, lifeless, or breakage-prone hair will be further damaged if exposed to the chemicals in the bleaching agents (1). Thick and coarse hair is the best-suited for this hair coloring process.

• What Is Your Natural Hair Color?

The natural shade of your hair plays a big role in determining whether you are a suitable candidate for bleached white hair.

If you have healthy, natural blonde hair or light brown hair, you can go for hair discoloration without any worries. Since your hair is already of a light shade, it will be easier to achieve a platinum blonde look.

However, bleaching dark brown or black hair white will take considerably more time and will take several sessions. It may take several weeks of allowing the hair to rest to prevent further damage too soon. Bleaching dark brown or black hair will mean that the hair will lift to an orange before needing to be toned to white. And the ones lightening their hair should be willing to endure a week or so of orange hair before the next bleaching session. It is more difficult to color dark hair white without causing excessive damage to the hair shafts.

Once you have determined that bleached white hair is the way to go for you, start collecting the supplies for the guide given below.

How To Dye Your Hair White

Bleaching your tresses at home can save you loads of money

. However, since it is an intricate process, you should be prepared well before you start. Use only the best quality ingredients available.

Before beginning the actual bleaching process to color your hair white, collect the following supplies:

• Hair bleaching powder
• 20 or 30 volume developer
• Plastic bowl and plastic measuring spoons (avoid metal)
• Toner
• Hair-coloring brush
• Hair clips
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Gloves
• Old clothes

Now you are ready to start! Follow the given steps to achieve the perfectly gorgeous platinum blonde look.

• Put On Your Gloves

Prepare by wearing old clothes and putting on your gloves. Bleaching your hair can be a bit messy, and you do not want to ruin a set of new clothes.

• Prepare Your Hair

Bleaching is an extremely harsh chemical process so always prepare your hair for bleaching. It is advisable to massage your scalp and hair with some warm coconut oil for a few hours before starting the procedure. Do not use a brush or comb on the scalp before bleaching. Even microscopic scratches on the scalp can invite the bleach to burn the skin from the inside and even offer an opportunity for infection to set in. Coconut oil is moisturizing and nourishing, and it helps to minimize the damage caused to your hair by the bleaching process (2).

• Divide Your Hair Into Sections

Dividing your hair into sections makes application easier and also aids with greater precision.

Divide your hair into four quadrants by first parting it from the center of the forehead to the nape of your neck. Now, halve each section once again from ear to ear. Secure each quadrant with a rubber band or a hair clip.

• Apply The Bleach

Follow the directions given on the packaging to mix the bleaching powder and developer.

You should apply the bleach to smaller sections within each of the quadrants to ensure your hair is fully saturated.

Bleach the tips and mid-lengths of your hair first. This is extremely important! Bleach activates faster with heat, so the warmth of your scalp will cause it to lighten faster than the mid-length. Starting 2” from the scalp is safe enough to apply bleach. They take longer to lighten than the roots. Once you have coated the rest of your hair with bleach, apply it to your roots. Give your hair a quick massage to ensure the bleach has been distributed evenly. Gather all your hair on the top of your head and put on a shower cap.

• Processing

Leave on the bleach to process for as long as it takes your hair to reach a pale-yellow color.

Note: If there is any burning or discomfort, wash the bleach out immediately. It could mean your body is having an allergic chemical reaction with the bleach.

The processing time depends on the natural color of your hair. Blonde hair takes lesser time while darker hair takes longer. However, be careful not to let the bleach sit in for longer than the recommended time given on the packaging.

It usually takes 20 to 50 minutes for the bleach to work its magic, depending on the natural shade of your hair. Check every ten minutes to see if the desired color has been achieved.

Do not pull or stretch on the hair strands to see if the bleach is soaking in. Bleach softens and cracks the cuticles, making the hair more elastic. If you pull on the hair during this process, it will tear off.

If you are still not satisfied with your hair color by the end of the time suggested on the packaging, wash your hair anyway. You can repeat the bleaching process after a week or so.

• Wash Your Hair

After the stipulated time, wash the bleach off your hair. Rinse your hair thoroughly and use a balancing shampoo to restore your scalp’s pH levels (3). Conditioning after bleaching is an important step. Use a balancing conditioner to make your hair soft. Let your hair air-dry. Do not use a blow dryer after bleaching your hair.

• Apply Toner

Bleaching makes your hair pale yellow, not platinum blonde. To achieve a platinum blonde look, you need to use a toner on freshly bleached hair to make it white.

To make it look pure white, you need to use a neutralizing toner. Apply a good-quality toner on freshly washed, towel-dried hair to get rid of the brassy tones. Leave it on for about 30-40 minutes before washing it off. The toning process may need to be repeated every week. You can also use a toning shampoo instead.

Once you decide to bleach your hair white, take these necessary precautions to get the most out of the process and emerge with healthy-looking and gorgeous platinum blonde hair.

Hair Bleaching Dos And Don’ts

• Avoid shampooing for at least a day or two before any hair streaking or bleaching procedures. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the natural oils in your scalp and hair help with the bleaching process.
• Massage your scalp and hair with pure coconut oil the night before to protect your hair from excessive damage.
• Bleaching agents are strong and can cause chemical burns. If you feel any discomfort during the bleaching process, wash off the bleach from your hair immediately.
• Using a toner is necessary to achieve a pure white platinum blonde look. However, just like bleach, toner can also cause chemical burns. Wash off the toner immediately if you develop rashes or experience pain of any kind after applying it to your hair.

After bleaching your hair and getting the pure white hair of your dreams, it is time to take proper care of your luscious white locks. We walk you through some handy aftercare tips below.

Quick Tip

If the ends of your hair are already light, don’t bleach them more as it may damage the hair cuticles and lead to breakage.

Aftercare Tips For White Hair

Now that you have the gorgeous platinum blonde look that you desire, it is time to look after your bleached hair. It is essential to take extra care of your bleached hair to ensure they are lustrous and healthy. Here are a few aftercare tips to follow for white hair:

• Do Not Wash Your Hair Daily

Washing too frequently can dry out your locks by stripping away their natural oils (3). Since your hair is already damaged from the effects of the bleach, it is advisable not to wash your hair every day. Even if you have not bleached your hair, it is not a good idea to wash it daily.

• Massage With A Nourishing Oil

Giving your bleached hair some extra love and care is important. Gently warm some coconut or olive oil and massage it into your scalp and hair. You can leave it on for a few hours or even overnight. Then, wash off the oil with a mild shampoo to get soft and silky hair. Deep conditioning with oils helps restore hair health (2).

• Use A Purple Shampoo And Conditioner

Purple shampoos and conditioners

are specially formulated hair care products that use purple pigments to neutralize yellow tones. A good-quality purple shampoo is a must-have for those with bleached hair. Using a purple shampoo helps tone your hair and maintain its pure white color. You can use a purple shampoo and conditioner twice a week.

• Avoid Heat Styling

After you have bleached your hair white, avoid all kinds of heat-styling tools like blow dryers, straightening irons, and curling wands for at least three weeks. Bleached hair is susceptible to the harmful effects of heat styling as the hair cuticles are left open during the bleaching process (4).

Infographic: Top 4 After-Bleach Tips For White Hair

Bleaching your hair for the first time can leave you concerned about your hair health. Bleaching, in fact, can make your hair more prone to dryness and breakage. Does this mean big trouble? Well, not really. You sure can reduce the post-bleach side effects with a few simple hair care tips. In the infographic below, we have listed 4 such tips that help protect your hair and make your desired hair tone last longer. Check them out.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Closing Thoughts

Frequently Asked Questions

How does baking soda whiten gray hair?

Baking soda mixed with hydrogen peroxide may help break down the melanin pigments in gray hair and lighten the color. However, ensure that the hair is not dyed.

Can I use white hair dye instead of a toner?

Yes, you can use white hair dye to lift the color of your hair after bleaching and add some shine to it. You can also use a toner to further correct your hair color for best results.

What are some alternatives to bleach for achieving white hair?

You can use apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, and a mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to achieve white hair.

Illustration: How To Bleach Hair White

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Embark on a hair transformation journey with this informative video on bleaching your hair and achieving that stunning white hue. Learn expert tips, techniques, and precautions for a successful at-home dyeing experience.

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Madison DufourBarber & Cosmetologist

     

Madison Dufour is a licensed and practicing barber and cosmetologist with 10 years of experience, as well as an entrepreneur running several hair businesses, including MadisonD Barbering and The Exquisite Find Hair Blog. After working behind the chair for several years, she felt the calling to start the non-profit Barber in a Bag that teaches basic hair cutting skills in street and slum communities in South America.

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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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Subhrojyoti MukherjeeAssociate Editor

Subhrojyoti is an associate editor at StyleCraze with four years of experience. He has a master’s degree in English from Presidency University, Kolkata, and has also done a post-graduate certificate course in Editing and Publishing from Jadavpur University, Kolkata.

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Anu PallaviBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Anu is a beauty and lifestyle writer and a graduate of Amity University, Noida, where she refined her writing skills and cultivated her deep passion for the field. She pursued the Beauty Technician Training Program at Maquillage Beauty Institute, which has equipped her with practical skills in various beauty treatments.

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