How to Do a Bleach Bath

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Bleach baths can help lighten the color of hair dye so it’s easier to recolor next time. You can also use a bleach bath if you have eczema to remove any itchiness or irritation by killing the bacteria on your skin. Since a bleach bath isn’t much stronger than a chlorinated swimming pool, it’s safe to do in your own home. No matter which bleach bath you use, just be sure to rinse off well!

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Lightening Hair with a Bleach Bath

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  1. Bleach baths help strip existing hair dye from your hair without doing a full bleach treatment. You can also do a bleach bath if you want to lighten the shade of the dye or your natural hair color by one level. If you want to prep your hair for another dye or want to try a lighter shade, consider doing a bleach bath treatment. [1]
    • If you have dark hair or are trying to remove dark colors, do a full bleach to lighten it completely.
    • Bleach baths work great if you have fragile hair.
  2. Combine the hydrogen peroxide, shampoo, and powder bleach in a small bowl. Stir everything together until it forms a thick paste that you can easily apply by hand. [2]
    • Use hydrogen peroxide labeled 10-volume if you have weaker hair and 20-volume if you have healthy hair.
    • Avoid using anti-residue or toning shampoo since it could cause hair damage.
    • You can buy powder bleach in the hair care section of your local big box store.
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  3. Wet your hair and split it into sections . Get your hair wet using warm water and leave it unwashed for the best application. Split your hair into 7 sections: top, left side, right side, crown, left nape, right nape, and back. Separate the sections so it’s easier to apply the paste. [3]
  4. Start with the tips of your hair and work down toward your roots to massage it into your scalp. Make sure your hair is evenly coated with the paste so it can pull the color of the dye out. [4]
    • You can use your bare hands, but you may wear nitrile or latex gloves if you have dry or cracked skin.
  5. Cover your hair so the bleach mixture doesn’t drip everywhere. Every 5-10 minutes, pull out a small strand of hair and check the color of your hair. Take off the shower cap after 30 minutes or whenever you’re happy with the color.
    • Leave your hair in the cap for up to 45 minutes if it’s thick and long.
    • You may also tie your hair up into a bun if you don’t have a shower cap.

    Tip: Wear old clothes so you don’t accidentally stain them with the bleach.

  6. When you’re happy with the color, take off the cap and rinse your hair underneath warm water to remove the paste. Work your fingers through your hair to make sure you remove all of the bleach.
  7. Apply a hydrating conditioner so your hair doesn’t dry out. Since bleach will dry out your hair and make it brittle, immediately apply a conditioner after the bleach bath. Start near the tips of your hair and work the conditioner down to your roots. Leave the conditioner on for at least 5 minutes before rinsing it out.
    • Only do bleach baths once every 2-3 months so you don’t permanently damage your hair.
    • You can also use a leave-in conditioner.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Taking a Bleach Bath for Eczema

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  1. Use the warmest water that you can handle for the best effect. Fill the water level up to the drainage holes at the front of your tub, which should be about 40 US gal (150 L). Let the water cool off enough so you can soak in it. [5]
    • You can fill up your tub enough just to submerge the affected area if you want, but you’ll need to use less bleach.
  2. Use standard chlorine bleach in your bath and pour it into the warm water. Make sure the has anywhere from a 2-6% concentration of sodium hypochlorite for the best effects. Use your hand to stir the bleach in your tub so it mixes thoroughly rather than having it concentrated in one spot. Once it’s mixed in, you can get in the tub. [6]
    • If your bleach has an 8.25% or higher concentration of sodium hypochlorite, then only use 1 ⁄ 4   c (59 ml).

    Warning: Never use more than 1 ⁄ 2   c (120 ml) of bleach since the concentration will be too strong otherwise.

  3. Get in the tub and make sure the area affected with eczema is completely submerged. Soak the area anywhere between 5-10 minutes to help kill any bacteria and alleviate irritation. After 10 minutes have passed, you can drain the tub. [7]
    • Don’t let the bleach bath get in your eyes or mouth since it will cause irritation.
    • The bleach may be painful if you have any dry or cracked skin.
  4. When you’re finished with your bath, run your shower with the warmest water you can handle and rinse off your entire body. Scrub your body lightly to get rid of any bleach that may still be on your skin. Make sure the water rinses off your tub as well so it doesn’t mix in when you take another bath. [8]
  5. Bleach can cause your skin to dry out, so it’s best to moisturize when you’re finished. Apply a coin-sized amount of lotion on your hands and massage it into your skin after your bath. Make sure you cover all of the areas that were submerged in your bleach bath. [9]
  6. Continue taking bleach baths for up to 3 times a week to ease the symptoms of your eczema. Each time, make sure you rinse off completely and moisturize so your skin doesn’t start drying out or cracking. [10]
    • If your skin starts getting dried or cracked, stop taking bleach baths.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What volume developer should I use at home?
    Ambia Elms
    Master Hairstylist
    Ambia Elms is a Master Hairstylist and Owner of olive + elm Hair Salon in Gilbert. Arizona. With 27 years of industry experience, she specializes in short to medium-textured haircuts and gender-affirming hair services. Ambia and her team pride themselves on their sustainability initiatives and their status as a Certified Sustainable Salon by Green Circle Salons.
    Ambia Elms
    Master Hairstylist
    Expert Answer
    Always start with a low developer! It's better to apply bleach with a low-volume developer multiple times rather than going in one time with a really high-volume developer, which can really trash your hair.
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      Warnings

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      Things You’ll Need

      Lightening Hair with a Bleach Bath

      • Hydrogen peroxide
      • Bleach powder
      • Bowl
      • Shampoo
      • Shower cap
      • Hydrating conditioner

      Taking a Bleach Bath for Eczema

      • Chlorine bleach
      • Lotion

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      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about hair care, check out our in-depth interview with Ambia Elms .

      References

      1. ↑ https://bellatory.com/hair/How-to-do-a-bleach-wash
      2. ↑ https://hairstylecamp.com/bleach-bath-hair/
      3. ↑ https://bellatory.com/hair/How-to-do-a-bleach-wash
      4. ↑ https://hairstylecamp.com/bleach-bath-hair/
      5. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/atopic-dermatitis-eczema/expert-answers/eczema-bleach-bath/faq-20058413
      6. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/atopic-dermatitis-eczema/expert-answers/eczema-bleach-bath/faq-20058413
      7. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/atopic-dermatitis-eczema/expert-answers/eczema-bleach-bath/faq-20058413
      8. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/atopic-dermatitis-eczema/expert-answers/eczema-bleach-bath/faq-20058413
      9. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/atopic-dermatitis-eczema/expert-answers/eczema-bleach-bath/faq-20058413
      1. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/atopic-dermatitis-eczema/expert-answers/eczema-bleach-bath/faq-20058413
      2. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/atopic-dermatitis-eczema/expert-answers/eczema-bleach-bath/faq-20058413
      3. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/atopic-dermatitis-eczema/expert-answers/eczema-bleach-bath/faq-20058413

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