Choosing the Right Hair Bleach Products
Choosing the Right Hair Bleach Products is crucial for achieving the beautiful lightened shades you want without excessive damage. The vast array of lighteners available can make it overwhelming to decide which options are best for your hair’s specific needs. Certain active ingredients, formats and conditioning additives make some bleaches gentler and more effective. Follow this guide to pick the optimal lightening products for your hair goals.
Powder Lightener vs Cream Lightener
The first choice is whether to use a powder bleach or cream formula:
Powder Lightener
- Mixes powder base with developer
- Allows customization of consistency
- Can be drying due to higher ammonia
- Provides maximum lifting on dark hair
Cream Lightener
- Pre-mixed, no mixing required
- Lower ammonia levels than powder
- Hydrating oils and conditioners added
- More beginner-friendly format
Powders are stronger for dramatic lightening while creams tend to be less damaging.
Volume of Developer
Developers come in different volumes that indicate the concentration of peroxide:
- Volume 10 or 20 for subtle lightening
- Volume 30 for moderate lifting
- Volume 40 for maximum lightening in one session
Lower volumes are safer for damaged or ethnic hair. Higher volumes speed up the process but cause more dryness.
Conditioning vs Regular Formulas
Look for products specifically formulated to hydrate:
- Conditioning bleach contains oils, antioxidants and hydrolyzed proteins to nourish hair during lifting.
- Bond-building additives like Olaplex repair broken bonds from lightening.
- Alternate with intensive masks during processing to minimize stress.
Conditioning bleaches lead to less roughness and brittleness than regular versions.
Blue or Purple Toned Formulas
- Blue or purple toned lighteners counteract unwanted warm tones during lifting.
- They neutralize brassiness as hair lightens for brighter results.
- Opt for them when wanting an icy or ashy finished shade.
The toners built into the products prevent orange or yellow undertones.
Powder Lightener Ingredients
Check the active ingredients on powder bleach:
- Persulfates – effective at removing melanin for lightening
- Ammonia – swells cuticle for peroxide penetration
- Surfactants – allow even saturation
- EDTA – protects and preserves color
Avoid versions with high ammonia which causes damage and irritation.
Cream Lightener Key Ingredients
Look for these ingredients in conditioning creams:
- Oils – hydrating ingredients like argan, coconut and avocado oil
- Keratin – strengthens hair and minimizes damage
- Panthenol – B5 provitamin to repair strands
- Ceramides – mimic lipids in hair to maintain moisture
Nourishing ingredients counteract the drying effects of bleach.
Additive Options
Consider additives to enhance the bleaching process:
- Bond Multiplier/Rebuilder – Olaplex and Smartbond repair broken bonds and prevent damage.
- Color Depositing Toner – Adds pigment to counter brassiness during lightening such as The Boss by Pulp Riot.
- Bond Sustainer – Maintains disulfide bonds and protects keratin.
Additives provide an extra layer of protection, color correction and damage minimization.
Expert Tips for Choosing Bleach
Follow these pro tips when selecting Choosing the Right Hair Bleach Products:
- Avoid box dyes and opt for salon brands designed for consistency.
- Match developer and bleach products from the same line.
- Pick conditioning formulas especially for damaged or ethnic hair.
- Swatch test on hair samples first to assess results.
- Consult a stylist if you have concerns about hair integrity or previous coloring.
Comparing Popular Bleach Products
Here is an overview of some top-rated Choosing the Right Hair Bleach Products:
| Product | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Schwarzkopf Blond Me | Contains bond protectors, moisture agents and keratin for extra conditioning |
| Olaplex Lightening System | Includes Olaplex No. 1 and 2 for bond building and repair during lightening |
| Clairol Professional ProsLights | Built-in bonding and ceramides protect hair during high-lift lightening |
| Wella Blondor | Low pH Permonal lightening system with optimized ammonia for gentle lift |
| Matrix Light Master | Uses soy, rice and linseed proteins to strengthen hair during lightening |
| Redken Flash Lift | BonderInside technology repairs four key bonds while lifting |
| Joico Lumishine | Formulated with antioxidants and tropical fruit extracts to hydrate and condition |
Consult a stylist to recommend which professional bleach lines may be right for you.
Lightener Shopping Checklist
Use this checklist when selecting lighteners:
- Salon brand with quality reputation
- Conditioning formula with oils and proteins
- Ammonia content suitable for your hair type
- Volume developer for desired lift
- Additive for bond repair and protection
- No overlapping harsh ingredients with your other hair products
- Correct blue or purple tone for cancellation of brassiness
- Positive reviews from users with similar hair types
- Usage guidelines and instructions are clear
How to Transition Hair Safely After Bleaching
Here are some tips for keeping hair healthy after lightening:
- Deep condition 1-2 times per week focusing on ends.
- Use strengthening and bond repair masks weekly.
- Shampoo less frequently with a gentle sulfate-free formula .
- Avoid heat styling and additional chemical processing.
- Get regular trims to remove split ends.
- Use heat protectant if heat styling and avoid going over 300°F.
- Wear hair in protective styles and use satin pillowcases.
- Take biotin supplements to boost growth and keratin production.
Proper aftercare keeps lightened hair looking shiny and minimizes breakage.
Frequently Asked Questions About Choosing the Right Hair Bleach Products
What is the least damaging bleach?
Bleaches formulated with conditioning oils and strengthening proteins cause less damage. Using Olaplex or Smartbond in the lightener also minimizes damage. Go for a gentle cream bleach with a low volume developer.
Does 30 or 40 volume work better?
While 40 volume leads to faster and maximum lifting, it also has the most peroxide and risks major damage. Start with 30 volume and increase only if necessary. Never go beyond the recommended developer.
Can you bleach right after box dye?
It’s risky to bleach directly after box dye as the synthetic pigments won’t lift properly. Use color remover first, or consult a stylist to strip the color before lightening.
What should I avoid when buying bleach?
Avoid bleaches with high ammonia levels, harsh additives like sulfate, box dyes, developer and bleach products from different brands, overpowering peroxide volumes your hair can’t handle, and lighteners with damaging reviews for types like yours.
Is toner required after using bleach?
While not absolutely required, applying toner immediately after bleaching helps neutralize brassiness and cancel unwanted yellow/orange tones for the desired finished color.
Can purple shampoo replace toner?
No, purple shampoo is more gradual and should be used a few days after bleaching. Toner neutralizes undertones during the initial bleaching session for best color results.
Is it bad to mix different bleach products?
Yes, only mix developer with lightener products from the same line. Mixing chemicals that aren’t formulated to work together can cause unpredictable and damaging reactions.
Can you bleach right after keratin treatment?
No, wait at least 2 weeks after a keratin smoothing treatment before bleaching. The chemical overload causes too much damage. Bleach before keratin treatments only.
Is 20 volume bleach enough for dark hair?
Volume 20 can lift natural dark hair up to 2-3 shades lighter in one session. For full lightening in one day, 30 or 40 volume would be needed. Start low first to see hair’s tolerance.
How soon can you bleach roots after full head?
Wait 4-6 weeks between full head bleaching sessions. For regrowth touch ups in between, allow 2-3 weeks before bleaching just the roots again. Less time leads to chemical overload.
Conclusion
Choosing the Right Hair Bleach Products made for your specific hair needs is crucial to achieving stunning bright shades without frying your locks. Look for conditioning bleaches, lower volume developers, bond-protecting additives, and proper application tools. With the right lightening products and techniques, you can keep hair healthy and minimize damage for beautiful bleach blonding and vivid colors. Consult a colorist for product recommendations tailored to your hair goals.
