Bleaching your hair at home can be an exciting and rewarding experience if done right. However, it is an aggressive procedure, which it can damage your hair if you don’t follow certain steps. In this article, we explain how to bleach your hair at home, what products you need and what results you can expect depending on your hair type.
What is hair bleaching?
Bleaching is the chemical process by which the natural or artificial pigment is removed from the hair using a mixture of bleaching powder and oxide (hydrogen peroxide). The higher the volume of the oxidizer, the more intense the discoloration – but also the more aggressive.
What you need for bleaching
Essential products:
- Bleaching powder (blue or purple – helps neutralize yellow/orange tones)
- Oxidizer (10, 20, 30 or 40 vol.)
- Application brush
- Non-metallic bowl
- Disposable gloves
- Protective cap or old t-shirt
- Hair parting clip
- Shampoo and moisturizing mask or post-bleaching treatment
- TIMER
Optional (but recommended):
- Vaseline for face contour
- Aluminum foil (for strands)
- Digital scale to correctly dose the products
How do you choose the volume of the oxidizer?
- 10 vol (3%) – ideal for very thin hair or for a slight opening
- 20 vol (6%) – lightens the hair by 1-2 tones, gentler with the thread
- 30 vol (9%) – opens up to 3-4 tones, usually for moderate discolorations
- 40 vol (12%) – aggressive bleaching, can open up to 7-8 tones, but it’s risky at home
Steps to bleach your hair at home
1. Test on a strand
Before anything else, test the bleach on a small strand to see how quickly it works and how your hair reacts.
2. Prepare the hair
Hair must be dry and unwashed for 1-2 days for the sebum to protect the scalp.
3. Mix the products
In a non-metallic bowl, mix the powder with the oxidizer in a 1:2 ratio (eg: 30g powder + 60ml oxidizer) until you get a homogeneous cream.
4. Apply the product
Divide the hair into 4 sections and apply the bleach starting from the tips to the roots (the root opens faster due to the heat of the scalp).
5. Wait
The operating time varies between 15-45 minutes depending on the type of hair and the desired level of opening. Check every 10 minutes. Do not exceed 45 minutes!
6. Rinse and wash
Rinse well with lukewarm water, then wash with a moisturizing or special shampoo for bleached hair. Apply o nourishing mask.
How much can you open your hair?
➤ Natural hair
- Natural dark hair (dark brown or brunette) can be lightened up to 3-4 tones with 30 vol, and up to 7-8 tones with 40 vol (with a high risk of damage).
- Natural blonde hair fades easily, sometimes even by 20 vol.
➤ Hair already dyed
- It is more difficult to fade. Artificial paint is difficult to remove, especially if it is black or reddish.
- In some cases it is need of pickling before fading.
Note: If you have dyed black or deep red hair, it is very possible that orange or reddish tones will remain after the first bleaching.
Other useful tips:
✅ Do not apply bleach to freshly washed hair
✅ Do not use heat (dryer/plate) immediately after bleaching
✅ Intensely hydrates the hair for weeks to come
✅ Avoid daily washing after bleaching to prevent excessive drying
What do you do after bleaching?
To remove yellow/orange tones, use:
- Purple shampoo – neutralizes yellow
- Toner (with low oxidizer, 10 vol) – for more accurate results
- Glossing or pigmented balm – for a temporary and delicate effect
Is it worth bleaching at home?
If you have healthy, unprocessed hair and just want a light opening or are willing to learn and be patient, Yes – can be an affordable solution.
If you have dyed, damaged hair or want a very light blonde (level 9-10), the safest thing is to go to a specialist to avoid burning the hair.
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