Q&A for How to Bleach Your Hair

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If your hair is a dark brown or almost black, and is at hip length, how many lemons would be needed to have the lightest hair possible? I'd like to have white hair.

Ashley Adams
Professional Hair Stylist
Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.

Ashley Adams

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

Unfortunately, you will not be able to achieve white hair using lemons alone.

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I have dark brown hair and I want to bleach it so that when I dye it blue, the color will be bright. I don't want to damage my hair, so what should I do?

Ashley Adams
Professional Hair Stylist
Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.

Ashley Adams

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

Try using 20 volume, and do a double process if your hair doesn't lighten enough the first time.

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Question

Does it have to be in sunlight, or can I just be in front of a bright lamp?

Community Answer

The lemon juice reacts with the UV rays from the sun, so a bright lamp isn't going to be very effective.

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Can I dye the hydrogen peroxide-d hair with purple or something?

Community Answer

You can, but hydrogen peroxide doesn't lighten your hair very much, and the purple won't stick as well.

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Question

Do I have to bleach all my hair if I'm just getting strands done?

Community Answer

No, just apply your choice of lightening treatment to the strands of hair you wish to lighten.

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Question

Can I bleach my hair and dye it on the same day?

Community Answer

You can; however, it will damage your hair a lot. I recommend bleaching it the day before dyeing it, as it will give your hair some time to strengthen a little bit.

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Does this work with the drinkable version made by Clorox?

Community Answer

No.

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Question

Can I dye my hair and remove the dye on the same day?

Community Answer

It depends. If you dye your hair to a lighter tone, you cannot go back to your previous color without dying over it. If you dye your hair darker or a different hue, then yes it is possible. The sooner you try to remove the dye, the better. Try semi-permanent or temporary dyes, or do a strand test to make sure you like the color as it can be difficult to quickly remove dye from hair.

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Question

Can I dye my hair after I bleach it?

Community Answer

Yes, you can. But since your hair will probably be dry and damaged, it's better to wait a week before you dye it if you're using permanent dye. If you're using temporary dye, you can dye it the same day. During this week, you should deep condition your hair.

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Question

If I just put it in the lemon juice and don't sit in the sun, what will happen?

Community Answer

Nothing. The lemon juice will not lighten your hair.

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Question

What can I do if it's winter/fall, is there something else I can use?

Community Answer

The UV light from the sun is the same all year round. Bundle up on a sunny day and take a walk.

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Question

Why do I add lemon juice?

Community Answer

The juices act as a lightening chemical.

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Question

How much time do I need to wait until I can dye my hair once it's bleached?

Community Answer

Wait a few days, because your hair is already weaker with the bleaching, so you should give it a chance to strengthen before you dye it.

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Question

Can I use a toner after bleaching hair?

Community Answer

Yes; however, it's best to wait at least a few days after bleaching to tone, to let your hair somewhat recover from bleaching.

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Question

Can I bleach my (dark blond) hair with blue streaks or should I use a color remover to get the blue out before bleaching? The blue is a semi-perminent dye put over blond highlights.

Matthew_Crybaby

Community Answer

Try washing your hair with either a dye-removing shampoo or dish soap, and this should get any dye out if you do it once a week for 2-3 months.

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Question

I dyed my hair black, but now I want it to be gray. Can I still bleach it?

Marina Wilson

Community Answer

It really depends on how long ago you had dyed your hair black. If you want to bleach it, you are going to have to wait 3 - 6 months.

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Question

Is this bleaching permanent?

Community Answer

The hair you bleached will be bleached permanently, but when your hair grows back out, it will grow out as its normal color.

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Question

I have black hair. To achieve dark brown, how long should I wait in the lemon method?

Emma Trifan

Community Answer

Lemon juice will only give you a subtotal effect, so will have to repeat the method 3-6 times. You could try 1 hour and 30 minutes every 3 days for 3-6 days. That should lighten your hair to dark brown.

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Question

Can I do it using lemon juice in the winter?

Emma Trifan

Community Answer

Yes, but it would take much longer. This is because most of the sun's UV rays are blocked, it will take much longer. Instead of 1 hour, it could be up to 3, depending on the amount you want to bleach.

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Question

Will the peroxide cause split ends?

Emma Trifan

Community Answer

Yes, it may do. Using hydrogen peroxide to bleach hair can cause split ends, frizz, and sometimes breakage. But if you take care of your hair, you could prevent this.

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How do I remove bleach? I got it done at the salon about a month ago and I do not like it.What can I do?

Emma Trifan

Community Answer

Bleach is unfortunately permanent. Unlike normal permanent hair dyes, it cannot be removed. Although, you could dye your hair to your normal hair color and wait for your normal hair to grow back and cut off the dyed part as it starts to fade out (2-3 years).

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Question

Which one of these methods is most effective?

Emma Trifan

Community Answer

The most effective would be to bleach your hair using normal bleach other than lemon juice or hydrogen peroxide.

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Question

For the lemon one, could I use heat like a hair dryer or straighteners?

Emma Trifan

Community Answer

It will not work. The only reason the lemon juice method works is because the lemon juice reacts to the UV Rays. Without UV rays, no lighter hair. Just applying heat will do nothing.

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Question

Can I bleach my hair with bleach, like, actual bleach?

Samuel

Community Answer

If your hair is light brown or lighter the bleach will be way to harsh on your hair either try adding water or get actual bleach made for hair. Start with your roots (not on your scalp!) and make your way down to the ends. Remember that bleach doesn’t lather like hair dye, so don’t expect to just rub it all over your head!

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Question

I have dark brown hair and a bought a volume 40. I am starting to think that it is too strong. Should I bough a volume 30?

Samuel

Community Answer

No, because the difference between volume 40 and 30, 30 and 20, and 20 and 10 is just water to dilute the strength of the bleach. Remember to add a bit at a time.

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i have black virgin hair and I want to know if bleaching hair once will be really damaging or it will be okay. Because none of the googling specifies only bleaching once.

Samuel

Community Answer

If you are going blonde then it will take a while and might be pretty damaging. With a few deep conditionings it should be fine but here are a few tips: 1. Don’t heat style your hair for a while. 2. Deep condition once a week. 3. Do not wash your hair every night. 4. Do not brush your hair to much and be very gentle with it.

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