Do you bleach your hair too? Then you must know these things! (Hair Bleaching)

Nowadays, dyeing your hair has become very popular, especially among young people. Some people want to dye their hair blonde, while others want to go bright colors like blue or pink. In most cases, the first thing to do is to remove the color from your hair, which is called bleaching. But unlike dye, bleaching is a harsher chemical process that can damage your hair.

So if you're thinking about bleaching your hair, you need to be very careful about the products you use, the way you do it, and the amount of time you leave the bleach on your hair. By doing these things, you can minimize the damage to your hair and achieve the beautiful look you want.

What exactly is hair bleach?

Simply put, hair bleach is a chemical that removes the natural pigment from your hair shaft, making it lighter in color. This is the fastest and easiest way to remove hair color. Once the hair color has faded significantly after bleaching, you can change the color of your hair by adding a dye of your choice.

Our hair gets its natural color from a pigment called melanin . There are two main types of melanin in human hair. One is eumelanin. This is what gives our skin and hair their black and brown colors. The other is pheomelanin. This adds a red color to our hair. Everyone's hair color is different because these two types of melanin are combined in different proportions. So what bleach does is remove these melanin molecules from the hair shaft.

Depending on the strength you want, you can use one of two types of bleach. One is a 'lightener'. This can bleach black hair to a light brown color. A more aggressive type, called a 'powder-bleach', can remove color from black hair to a light brown color.

How does this bleach remove hair color?

Whether you use a lightener or a powder bleach, the process is the same. Most bleaching products contain two types of chemicals: an alkaline agent and an oxidizing agent. For example, while lighteners contain something like ammonia to create an alkaline environment, hydrogen peroxide helps with the oxidation process.

When bleaching hair, the alkaline agent first opens the protective outer layer of the hair shaft, the cuticle. It's like opening a door. This then allows the oxidizing agent ( hydrogen peroxide ) to get inside and do its job. Under this alkaline condition, the hydrogen peroxide chemically breaks down the melanin molecule and dissolves it. As a result, the hair color turns lighter.

If you bleach your hair at home, be careful about this.

Many experts recommend having your hair bleached by a professional, such as a good salon. Because, as mentioned earlier, this is a harsh process that goes deep into the hair shaft and can cause serious damage if not done properly. But if you want to do it at home, use a good bleaching kit and follow the instructions exactly .

A bleaching kit usually includes everything you need. This includes an instruction sheet, developer, bleaching powder, and gloves . Remember, instructions can vary from product to product, so always follow the instructions on your kit.

These are the steps to follow when bleaching at home:

1. Mix the developer and bleaching powder together well.

2. Using a brush, apply this mixture thoroughly throughout your hair, being careful not to get it on your clothes or skin.

3. Cover your hair with a shower cap and leave it on for 15 to 30 minutes. The exact amount of time you should leave bleach on your hair depends on several factors.

• Your hair type
• Your current hair color (Starting color)
• The color you want to get (D ESI red color)
• The type and size of the developer

The best thing is not to leave it longer than the time indicated in the kit's instructions!

4. When the time is right, rinse the mixture well, shampoo, and apply conditioner. If your kit has a special nourishing conditioner, use that. Rinse well again, and let your hair air dry.

5. If you are satisfied with the color you have, you can use a toner to even out the color. If you are using a permanent dye, you should wait a few days after bleaching.

What happens to hair after bleaching?

Here are some things that can happen to your hair after bleaching:

• Hair texture changes: If you bleach your hair continuously, it can permanently change the texture of your hair. It can become dry and coarse.
• Hair shafts swell: Bleaching agents can cause the outer covering of the hair shaft to swell, making the hair appear thicker.
• Hair color changes: Sometimes your hair color can change in unexpected ways. For example, if your hair is black, it may turn a reddish-orange color when bleached.

Side effects and risks of hair bleaching

Bleaching has both minor side effects and serious risks. The most minor is the lingering strong smell of ammonia. It can also weaken hair and make it break more easily.

Bleaching breaks between 15% and 20% of the protein bonds in your hair. Your hair is made up of a protein called keratin. When this keratin breaks down, the structure of your hair shaft weakens and your hair becomes brittle.

In addition to these minor things, there are several serious risks involved in bleaching.

If you have any suspicion of bleach poisoning, seek immediate medical attention . Go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) as soon as possible. If the chemical has got into your eyes, rinse them thoroughly with running water for at least 15 minutes. If bleach has been accidentally ingested, do not induce vomiting until advised by a doctor . If necessary, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.

How to reduce hair damage?

Bleaching weakens the hair shaft. So, before you bleach, consider whether your hair is healthy enough to handle it. If your hair is already weak or damaged, it's best to avoid bleaching.

To change your hair color drastically, you may need to bleach it several times. You may want to leave it on for a longer period of time or do it several times a day for quick results. Doing so can cause serious damage to your hair. Always bleach only for the time specified in the instructions. Leave at least 14 days between bleaching sessions.

If you find that your hair is prone to breakage after bleaching, you can use special products (e.g., those containing bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate and ceramides) that help repair damaged hair. Ask your doctor or an experienced hairstylist about this.

Hair coloring, hair bleaching, hair dye, hair damage, hair health, hydrogen peroxide, bleach poisoning, hair care