HERE’S HOW TO BLEACH YOUR HAIR…WITHOUT DAMAGING IT

Photo Credit: kiannasmystylist

Lightening your hair color is actually quite a complex chemical process that takes a high level of skill. To keep this from turning into a college-level chemistry class, think of it in two phases: Part one: An alkaline ingredient in the color (often ammonia), opens up the cuticle, the outermost layer of the hair strand. This allows for the hair lightener to get into the hair and do its thing, bringing us to part two of the process. “A hair lightener breaks apart the pigment in your hair so that light is reflected through it and the color looks blond. The pigment is still there, it’s just broken up so much that you can’t see it,” explains Redken Artist Celene Dupuis. The thing about this chemical process is that every time a hair lightener or hair bleach breaks down these pigments, it also breaks up fifteen to twenty percent of the disulfide protein bonds in your hair. Since your hair is made up of 80 percent protein, this step cannot be done without knowing how to combat this protein loss (which would present as some pretty intense damage). This brings us to the most important part...

Photo Credit: georgegarciaredken

Repeat after us: I will not bleach my own hair. This is most definitely not the time to DIY as a lightening service has to be done just right to prevent major damage to your hair. “It requires lots of care and skill to make sure that the hair lightener is being applied correctly and in a timely fashion so that you don’t end up with excess breakage,” she explains. Not only will a professional colorist know how to do this, they can also help you come up with a progressive lightening plan. Especially if you’re making a drastic change, it’s absolutely better to gradually lighten your hair in phases. “This keeps the hair healthier, so you can ultimately push the color further and get a better end result,” Celene says. Depending on how light you want to go, this can mean spacing your coloring appointments at least six weeks apart, if not more.

Photo Credit: georgegarciaredken

The other benefit of seeing a pro? PROducts. (Get it?) “Colorists can use hair lighteners, such as Redken's Flash Lift Bonder Inside, which will help protect those protein bonds in your hair from damage,” says Dupuis. “It can make the difference between it taking six sessions to get the color you want, versus three.” A professional hair colorist can also give you a toning service which will help condition the hair and keep your lightened locks in the healthiest state possible. A Redken Shades EQ hair gloss is quick service that will infuse your hair with shine while helping you to maintain your ideal hair color tone. Learn more about semi-permanent hair color and hair glosses here.

Bleached hair needs extra care so the right at-home treatments are also crucial. The NEW Extreme Bleach Recovery system helps you cleanse, hydrate and treat lightened and bleached hair. Start with the gentle, fortifying shampoo which is made especially for post-bleach hair and is formulated to repair, nourish and combat hair rigidity while still cleansing. Step two is the Extreme Bleach Recovery Lamellar Water Treatment, which is the ultimate liquid band aid for bleached hair. The lamellar water creates a second cuticle that adheres to the hair for instant smoothness and manageability. Finish with Extreme Bleach Recovery Cica Cream Leave-In Hair Treatment, which penetrates into the hair shaft to increase the resilience and movement of the hair in-between lightening services.

Find a local Redken Haircolorist to talk about your personalized lightening service.

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And for more blonde haircolor inspiration and tips on how to maintain your hair color between salon visits, follow @Redken on Instagram!