How to Bleach Your Ends

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

If you’re itching for an ombre or dip dyed look, you might be thinking about bleaching the ends of your hair. Bleaching your hair can be a daunting task, especially if you aren’t a hair stylist (and if you’re super worried about keeping your hair healthy, bleaching is probably best left to the pros). We’ve answered your questions about lightening your hair so you can get the look you want while keeping your locks shiny and (mostly) damage-free.

Question 1 of 4:

How do I bleach my ends at home?

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a1\/Bleach-Your-Ends-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Bleach-Your-Ends-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a1\/Bleach-Your-Ends-Step-1.jpg\/aid12477906-v4-728px-Bleach-Your-Ends-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Pick up some powder bleach and liquid developer (20 volume is usually good for most hair types). Check the back of the package to find the ratio, then mix the products together in a plastic hair dye bowl. [1]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Bleach Your Ends
    Put on gloves to protect your hands and grab a hair dye brush. Carefully scoop up the bleach mixture and brush it onto the ends of your hair, dragging the bleach up as high as you want it to go. Work in small, 1 in (2.5 cm) wide sections to fully saturate every strand of hair. [2]
    Advertisement
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Bleach Your Ends
    In each section of hair, carefully slide a piece of aluminum foil over the bleach and fold it in half. Let the bleach process for 20 to 45 minutes before rinsing it out with cold water. [3]
    • Bleach works with heat.
    • If there is no heat, you cannot lift enough color.
    • The aluminum foil helps to conduct the heat of your scalp more evenly into the sections you are highlighting and makes the bleach work faster.
    4. Advertisement
Question 2 of 4:

Will bleaching the ends of my hair ruin it?

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Bleach Your Ends
    The ends of your hair are naturally more dry than the tops, since they don’t get the natural oils from your scalp. If your hair is relatively healthy, bleaching the ends won’t ruin it, but it might make it a little more dry or frizzy. [4]
    • This is especially true if you have naturally curly hair. In general, curly hair is a little more dry than naturally straight hair.
Question 3 of 4:

Can I bleach my ends more than once?

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Bleach Your Ends
    Bleach really dries out your hair, and bleaching more than once in a day can damage your ends a lot. If you want your hair to be lighter, you can apply the bleach 1 to 2 more times, but try to wait at least a week in between each application. [5]
    • If your ends look yellow or brassy, consider using a toner instead of more bleach. Toners can help remove the yellow or orange tones in your hair, leaving it look silvery or platinum blonde.
    2. Advertisement
Question 4 of 4:

What should I do immediately after bleaching my hair?

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/99\/Bleach-Your-Ends-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Bleach-Your-Ends-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/99\/Bleach-Your-Ends-Step-6.jpg\/aid12477906-v4-728px-Bleach-Your-Ends-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Give your hair some moisture back with a hydrating hair mask. Focus the product on your ends and let it sit for as long as you can before rinsing it out. [6]
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/33\/Bleach-Your-Ends-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Bleach-Your-Ends-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/33\/Bleach-Your-Ends-Step-7.jpg\/aid12477906-v4-728px-Bleach-Your-Ends-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Your hair might take a few weeks to get back to normal after bleaching. You can help it out by using a deep conditioner or a hair mask at least once a week until your ends look smooth and shiny again. [7]
    3. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Open a Clothing Store
      How to
      Set up Your Tattoo Machine
      How to
      Start a Clothing Line
      How to
      Become a Nike Authorized Dealer
      How to
      Start an Accessory Business
      How to
      Start Your Own Cosmetics Line
      How to
      Begin Selling Avon
      How to
      Start a Nail Salon
      7 Steps to Start a Successful Beauty Salon
      How to
      Start a Used Clothing Store
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/how-to-bleach-your-hair-like-a-pro
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=253&v=r_DyrVyxRR8&feature=youtu.be
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=243&v=r_DyrVyxRR8&feature=youtu.be
      4. ↑ https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2015/01/23/why-bleaching-wrecks-your-hair-and-how-to-make-it-better/
      5. ↑ https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/how-to-bleach-your-hair-like-a-pro
      6. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/hair/a32935610/how-to-bleach-hair/
      7. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/hair/a32935610/how-to-bleach-hair/

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 30,313 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement