Hair Bleach Powder: The Key to Unlocking Trendy Hair Colors, Here's a Proper Usage Guide
Hair Bleach Powder: The Key to Unlocking Trendy Hair Colors, Here's a Proper Usage Guide
2025-08-30
In the trend of pursuing personalized hair styling, hair bleach powder has long been the "unsung hero" behind creating trendy hair colors. Whether it's the popular milk tea gray, mint green that's gone viral online, or the atmospheric pinkish brown, all require the use of bleach powder to "remove" the original pigment from the hair to achieve a translucent and bright ideal effect. However, many people have a limited understanding of how hair bleach powder works, and improper use often leads to hair damage and uneven color. Today, we will fully break down the mechanism of hair bleach powder and provide a step-by-step guide on its correct usage to help you safely experiment with trendy hair colors.
I. Hair Bleach Powder: More Than Just a "Color Remover" – It's the "Foundation" of Hair Color Transformation
To use hair bleach powder effectively, you first need to understand how it "works". The natural color of hair comes from melanin in hair follicles, which is divided into "eumelanin" (determines the depth of black and brown hair) and "pheomelanin" (affects the tone of yellow and red hair). The core function of hair bleach powder is to break down this melanin through a chemical reaction, lightening the hair color and laying the foundation for subsequent dyeing of light-colored and trendy shades.
1. Core Function: Breaking Down Melanin to Achieve "Color Reduction"
Hair bleach powder itself does not have direct color-removing ability; it needs to be mixed with oxidizer (also known as "hydrogen peroxide" or "oxidizing emulsion") in a certain ratio to work. After mixing, the oxidizer releases oxygen, activating the core components in the bleach powder (such as ammonium persulfate, sodium persulfate, etc.). These components penetrate into the cuticles of the hair, gradually "breaking" the chemical structure of melanin, decomposing melanin particles into water-soluble small molecules that are washed away during rinsing, thereby lightening the hair color.
Depending on the mixing ratio of bleach powder and oxidizer and the processing time, the hair can achieve a 3-8.5 level lightening effect (hair color levels range from Level 1 "pure black" to Level 10 "extra light gold"
Level 3-4 lightening: Suitable for dyeing dark trendy colors such as dark brown and chocolate brown, retaining some of the texture of the natural hair color;
Level 5-7 lightening: Ideal for achieving milk tea color, caramel color, and light brown – the mainstream choices for daily use that brighten the complexion without being too exaggerated;
Level 8+ lightening: Can create light trendy colors with gray, pink, or blue undertones, and is also an essential foundation for creating "underlayer highlights" and "streaks".
2. Different Types of Bleach Powder: Targeted Solutions for Different Hair Needs
Hair bleach powders on the market are not "one-size-fits-all". Based on differences in ingredients and functions, they can be divided into three categories to suit different hair types and lightening goals:
Regular Bleach Powder (white/transparent particles): Cost-effective, suitable for first-time lightening of healthy hair. It has a moderate lightening speed, can achieve a Level 5-6 lightening effect, and is ideal for dyeing daily hair colors;
Professional Blue Bleach Powder (with blue-tinted particles): Added with blue neutralizing factors, it can inhibit the "orange-yellow tone" that appears in the hair during the lightening process. It is suitable for people who want to dye cool-toned trendy colors such as gray, blue, and purple, especially for dark hair (e.g., black hair, dark brown hair) to lighten to Level 7-8 in one step;
Protein Care Bleach Powder (with nourishing ingredients): Contains hair care ingredients such as hydrolyzed protein, panthenol, and vitamin E. It reduces cuticle damage while lightening the hair, making it suitable for damaged hair (e.g., permed or dyed hair) or people with sensitive scalps. It lightens gently but at a slightly slower speed, and is suitable for users pursuing the dual effects of "lightening + care".
II. Correct Usage of Hair Bleach Powder: From Preparation to Operation, Avoid 90% of Mistakes
Many people think "lightening hair = damaging hair", but this is mostly caused by improper operation (such as leaving the bleach on for too long or applying it unevenly). Mastering the correct steps can not only ensure even hair color but also minimize damage to the greatest extent.
1. Before Lightening: Complete 3 Preparations to Avoid Failures
Skin Test + Hair Quality Assessment:
Bleach powder contains alkaline ingredients. For sensitive skin, a "behind-the-ear test" should be done 24 hours in advance: apply a small amount of the mixed bleach powder and oxidizer to the back of the ear. If redness or stinging occurs, do not use it;
At the same time, check the hair quality: if the hair is dry, brittle, and severely split ends (e.g., permed or dyed more than 3 times continuously), it is recommended to do 1-2 deep care treatments (such as hair masks, essential oil care) first before lightening.
Tool Preparation:
Essential items: Hair bleach powder, corresponding concentration of oxidizer (beginners are advised to choose 6% or 9% concentration; 12% concentration is suitable for professionals and is more likely to damage hair), non-metallic container (plastic or glass bowl, metal will affect the lightening effect), hair dye brush, disposable gloves, ear covers, old towel (to avoid staining), timer, deep hair mask (for use after lightening).
Hair Pre-Treatment:
Do not wash your hair 1-2 days before lightening to retain the natural oil secreted by the scalp, which can reduce the irritation of the bleach powder on the scalp; avoid using styling products such as hairspray and mousse to prevent affecting the penetration of the bleach powder.
2. During Lightening: 4 Practical Steps to Ensure Even Hair Color
Step 1: Mix Bleach Powder and Oxidizer
Mix according to the ratio of "bleach powder : oxidizer = 1:1.5-2" (refer to the product instructions for specific ratios, as they may vary by brand). Use a hair dye brush to stir in one direction until there are no particles and it becomes a smooth paste. Avoid creating air bubbles (bubbles will cause uneven application). The mixture should be used within 30 minutes after preparation, otherwise, it will become ineffective.
Step 2: Section and Apply, Start with the "Cool Areas" Then the "Warm Areas"
Use a comb to divide the hair into 4 sections (top of the head, sides, back), and start applying from the "cool areas" (mid-lengths and ends, parts far from the scalp):
① Use a hair dye brush to take an appropriate amount of the bleach paste and apply it from the ends upwards to 1-2 cm away from the scalp (the scalp has a higher temperature; applying first here will cause the roots to lighten first, resulting in the problem of "lighter roots");
② Wait for 20-30 minutes (adjust according to the target lightening level; beginners are advised to check the hair color every 10 minutes). When the mid-lengths and ends have lightened to close to the target color, then apply the bleach to the hair near the scalp;
③ Ensure that every strand of hair is covered with the bleach paste during application, and avoid missing any parts, especially details such as the hair part and behind the ears.
Step 3: Control the Processing Time to Avoid Over-Damage
The effective working time of bleach powder is usually 30-45 minutes (refer to the product instructions for specifics). After this time, even if you leave it on longer, the lightening effect will not improve significantly, and it will instead 加剧 damage to the hair cuticles.
When checking the hair color, take a strand of hair and wipe it with a damp tissue. If the color reaches the expected level (e.g., black hair lightened to light gold), stop immediately; if not, you can extend the time by 5-10 minutes appropriately, but do not exceed 45 minutes at most.
Step 4: Rinse Gently to Reduce Cuticle Damage
After lightening, rinse the hair slowly with warm water below 37℃ until the water runs clear (no bleach residue left). Avoid rubbing the hair vigorously; during rinsing, you can use a sulfate-free shampoo to gently clean the scalp and reduce residual irritation.
3. After Lightening: 2 Key Care Steps to Rescue "Dry, Frizzy Hair"
After lightening, the hair cuticles are in an open state, making it easy for moisture and nutrients to escape. If timely care is not taken, problems such as dryness, frizz, and brittleness will occur. Do these two steps well to keep the hair smooth:
Immediate Deep Care: After rinsing, gently blot the moisture from the hair with a towel (do not twist). Apply a sufficient amount of deep hair mask or post-lightening special conditioner, wrap the hair with a shower cap, let it sit for 15-20 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. This can quickly replenish the protein and moisture lost by the hair;
Daily Care Focus: Choose hair care products containing ingredients such as "squalane", "ceramide", and "amino acids". Avoid using cleansing products containing sulfates and alcohol (they will worsen hair dryness); after each hair wash, apply hair oil to the mid-lengths and ends to reduce frizz; do 1-2 hair mask treatments every week to maintain the smoothness of the hair in the long term.
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