Hair color is all about how you mix it and how long you leave it in. So how long to leave bleach in hair? It really depends on how light you want to go. For many people, leaving the bleach in longer than 30 minutes will not produce a lighter tone. Often, it may even cause damage.
The length of time you should keep bleach in your hair depends on how light you want to go and how much developer you use. You can expect to see a few shades lighter than the box if you leave the bleach on for up to 30 minutes. If that’s not enough, consider going a shade or two lighter with another application or making an appointment with a colorist. At-home color might be fun, but it doesn’t always produce the results we want.
How does bleach dye your hair?
Bleach is usually composed of hydrogen peroxide, water, and thickeners. Bleach lightens the natural pigment in your hair by removing it from the cuticle until no color remains. When you come into the salon, we apply bleach to either damp or dry ash-toned hair (depending on how dark you want to go).
Then we leave it on anywhere between 10 minutes to an hour, depending on how how much lift you can handle without damage. If you’re not sure how dark you want to go, tell your stylist that “the lighter, the better” because she or he probably won’t be able to get many sessions out of one application anyway!
For how long to leave bleach in hair?
It really depends on how light you want to go. For many people, leaving the bleach in longer than 30 minutes will not produce a lighter tone. Often, it may even cause damage.
The length of time you should keep bleach in your hair depends on how light you want to go and how much developer you use. You can expect to see a few shades lighter than the box if you leave the bleach on for up to 30 minutes. If that’s not enough, consider going a shade or two lighter with another application or making an appointment with a colorist. At-home color might be fun, but it doesn’t always produce the results we want.
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Here are some things to consider when thinking about how long to leave bleach in your hair
- Your hair color
- How light do you want to go
- Your hair type
- How much developer you use
Your hair color
If your hair is already light or if you have been bleaching it before, a few shades of bleach may be all that’s needed. Otherwise, the longer treatment will result in greater damage, so being realistic about what shade you want to go to does pay off! You might try leaving this at home and just apply different tones every month instead of for an easier experience with less risk involved–especially since lighter colors don’t show up on dark locks quite as well anyway.
How light you want to go
For most people, leaving the bleach in for up to 30 minutes should be enough. This will produce a few shades lighter than the box you used if it’s ash-toned. If that’s not enough, consider going a shade or two lighter with another application or making an appointment with a colorist. The longer you leave the bleach on, the lighter your hair will get, but how much lighter it depends on how light you want to go. If you want to go really light, it’ll take more than 30 minutes of bleach.
Your hair type
The texture of your hair affects how long you should leave bleach in, as well as how much damage there will be from those damaging nutrients being released from within your body into the scalp and onto the strand!
The coarser your hair is, the less nutrient absorption capability it has, so there is more chance of breakage and dandruff flaking, leading to more scalp irritation and washing your hair more. The finer your hair is, the more nutrient absorption capability it has, so there is less chance of breakage and flaking, and how long you can leave bleach in for will depend on how sort you want to go with how much developer you use.
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How much developer you use
The longer the bleach is in, the greater chance of damage occurring. The amount of developer you choose can also affect how many shades lighter it will go vs. how much damage occurs. There are professional bleaching kits available with higher strengths of hydrogen peroxide that are used by colorists at the salon, so be sure to ask for one if that’s what you need!
You should never have a stylist try this at home because they know how much bleach to use how long to leave it in without doing too much damage. That being said, it might be possible with some patience, but only if your hair isn’t extremely dark! Also, ask how often you should come in for a touch-up because going too many months between sessions might force you to start from square one or worse!
There are options out there besides at-home bleaching kits, but how much damage your hair sustains is completely reliant on how well you take care of it afterward. Be sure to deep condition and use plenty of silicone-free serums to prevent further breakage and frizzing. It will be worth the extra effort when your locks still look shiny and healthy without any damage years down the line!
How long should you leave bleach in your hair
It’s important to set a timer and make sure you are looking at your hair while it is bleaching to avoid confusion about how much longer the process will take. Strand tests can also help determine what time of day might work best for success, but don’t forget to do them every 30 minutes or so! The longer the bleach is in, the greater chance of damage occurring.
The key to how long you should leave bleach in your hair depends on how light you want it to go and how coarse or fine your hair is. Generally speaking, if your hair isn’t too dark, then leaving it in for 30 minutes or so is enough to get several shades lighter. If you want to go lighter, how long you leave it depends on how light you want to go and how much developer you use. The process requires patience because the more frequently you bleach your hair, the more potential damage can occur or completely destroy your mane!
Ask your colorist how often they recommend coming in for touch-ups and how strong the bleach should be for how light you want to go. The time of day can also make a big difference based on how light your hair is, how long you have been bleaching it, how coarse or fine your hair is, and how much damage has occurred.
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What if you leave bleach in your hair for too long?
If you leave the bleach in your hair for longer than how long should you leave bleach in your hair, it can cause significant damage. It’s important to check how light your hair is and how long you have been bleaching it while considering how coarse or fine your hair is and how much developer you use.
Overloading on developer can also lead to increased damage, so be sure to give yourself a break every once in a while! The more frequently you use heat styling tools like tongs or curling irons on already bleached strands, the more potential damage occurs!
Once again, how often you go in for touch-ups will determine how fast such destruction occurs. If there isn’t any color remaining when one of these touch up sessions is due, how long you leave the bleach in your hair will be how many shades lighter you want it to go.
What can I do if I leave bleach in my hair for too long?
If you have left the bleach in your hair for too long, deep conditioning with a silicone-free serum will help seal the cuticles to prevent further damage. Avoid using heat styling tools like curling irons and avoid lightening your locks even more!
- Don’t use shampoo as it is too harsh and can make your hair feel brittle, making the whole experience even worse, so be sure to opt for a nourishing sulfate-free or silicone-free alternative. Be patient, as it will take time for your hair to begin healing itself!
- Supplementing with a hair, skin, and nails multivitamin can also help your hair get back on the right track!
- Don’t brush your hair when it is wet because you’ll just cause more damage than good. Instead, opt for a paddle brush to ease out any tangles.
- Using a clarifying shampoo once or twice per week can also help rid your hair of any build-up that might be causing further damage.
- Take vitamins with Biotin!
- It’s important to stay patient and not do anything that could make the situation worse!
Common mistakes if you’re bleaching your hair at home
Not doing a strand test before you bleach your entire head
Doing a strand test will help determine how light you want your hair, how coarse or fine your hair is, and what bleach strength to use. If you don’t do a strand test, you won’t know whether your locks will withstand the bleach or if it’ll cause even more damage. Doing a strand test is important because the time you have left the bleach in your hair depends on how coarse or fine your hair is.
Use a timer if you’re doing it at home
You might know that bleaching your hair can cause damage, but not everyone knows that overloading on developer can increase the chances of such destruction occurring. If you use a timer, you can be sure to use the right amount of developer and avoid overloading on it. Timers also help when doing touch-ups because there is no need to guess how long you should leave bleach in your hair for each session.
If you don’t time yourself, it’ll take longer than expected, so consider having a friend help you to speed up the process and avoid accidents.
Not following the instructions that come with your bleaching kit
Follow the instructions that come with your bleaching kit, as they are there for a reason! If you’re using a bleach kit, there should be instructions on both the box the bleach comes in as well as one with your color developer.
Using too much developer
Using too much developer can cause significant damage and leave your hair feeling dry and brittle. Conditioner can help prevent this, but we don’t recommend using regular conditioner as it will only weigh the hair down and take away from any lightening sessions.
Using the bleach on your roots if you are just working on your ends
If you are just working on your ends, try not to apply the bleach to your roots. The roots are naturally darker, so applying any bleach or color at all will make your hair appear brassy. The same applies to over-lightening your roots, as they are already darker than the rest of your hair. If you want to make sure all of your locks are lightened evenly, wait for one or two touch-up sessions before applying bleach to your roots.
Not conditioning before bleaching
When you color or bleach your hair, rinse it with cold water, so the cuticles of each strand stay intact and close! If you want to prevent split ends from appearing in future touch-up sessions, try using a deep conditioner after bleaching with a creamy formulation containing silk proteins and shea butter. Only apply the conditioner to your ends, and you will avoid over-conditioning and weighed-down hair!
Not using a deep conditioner after bleaching
Although it is important to rinse hair with cold water, it’s equally as important to use a deep conditioner immediately after bleaching. Make sure to choose one containing silk proteins and shea butter, so your locks don’t become dry or frizzy. After applying the conditioner, try combing through each lock of hair so that all strands are covered evenly. You can even leave the deep conditioner on for about 30 minutes while you do something else before rinsing out in under 5 minutes!
Washing your hair with hot water rather than cool water
It’s very important not to wash your hair with hot water regardless of whether you are bleaching or dyeing it. When you apply heat to the hair, it opens up the cuticles so color can easily be washed out. If you want to achieve a good shade when using hair dye, consider washing your locks with cool water!
Using too much heat when fixing or touching up the color
It may seem like using heat after coloring helps fix mistakes and evens things out for future touch-ups, but this is not true! Using too much heat can cause extra damage because it up the cuticles more than is necessary. If you want to avoid color washing away and your hair getting heavier, try using a blow dryer for about five minutes with medium heat!
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Frequently Asked Questions
I recently used bleach to lighten my dark brown locks, but it turned out brassy. What can I do to fix this?
To avoid orange locks when you are bleaching your hair, try using a purple shampoo or conditioner after washing your hair with cool water. Mix violet pigment in the shampoo and conditioner before applying to ensure even coverage! If that doesn’t work, consider opting for an ash blonde shade to give your strands a more natural tone.
I dyed my locks three weeks ago, and they’ve already faded! Help!
When dyeing or bleaching your hair repeatedly in quick succession, consider waiting at least two weeks in between. If you want similar results to the original color, try re-dying your hair. However, if you want a lighter shade of color for summer, consider bleaching again in two to three weeks after dyeing!
How long do I leave 30 vol bleach in for?
To achieve the lightest possible results, leave 30 vol bleach on for about one hour. If you want to opt for a lighter shade of blonde or ashy tones, try leaving the bleach in for no more than 30 minutes. Remember that hair begins lifting more quickly as you approach an hour, so don’t leave it in any longer! It’s better to be slightly under-bleached than over-lightened!
How long should I leave 20 Developer bleach in my hair?
When applying bleach, it is important to rinse out after a maximum of 10 minutes. This isn’t always the case when using 30 Vol developer, but 20 Volume tends to lift color extremely quickly, so rinsing after 10 minutes should ensure your hair doesn’t become damaged.
Is conditioning before bleaching a good idea?
After coloring or bleaching your locks, condition them by shampooing and then applying a deep conditioner for about half an hour before rinsing in under 5 minutes. Although it’s very important not to over-condition, leaving the deep conditioner on initially can help make sure your strands are well taken care of!
Can I add shine spray to my final bleach mix?
It’s best not to add anything to the final bleach mix when giving yourself highlights. Additional conditioners, hair oils, or shine sprays might interfere with the chemical reactions in the bleach. It is important to create a well-mixed, even consistency that contains no extra products – this ensures your locks are evenly covered!
How long do I leave bleach in my hair to make it white?
To make your hair very blonde, leave bleach in for 1 hour. This is the best way to get platinum locks without causing any damage! Leaving the bleach in longer than that can cause unpleasant orange tones, so it’s important to rinse out after an hour has passed.
How long should I leave 30 vol developer on my roots?
It’s really important not to over-bleach your roots! To avoid damaging them too much (and thus creating a lot of breakages), try leaving the bleach formula on for about 20 minutes before rinsing it away. For even lighter impact, or if you have resistant grays, consider leaving it in for five extra minutes!
I left the bleach in my hair for 45 min instead of 15 min, and it went yellowish/green. What do I use to fix my hair?
When you leave bleach in your locks for too long, the chemical reaction is able to continue changing the melanin pigment in your strands which can result in a green or yellow tone. To resolve this issue, consider waiting at least two weeks before attempting to re-dye dark brown hair with a red dye. If you want a lighter shade of blonde for summer, try using 30 vol developer when bleaching again!
What kind of shampoo should I use after bleaching my hair?
After bleaching your locks, consider using a moisturizing shampoo. Because bleach tends to dry out the scalp and strand cuticles, creating a healthy balance is essential! Look for a shampoo containing silk or something similar to ensure your locks are moisturized without being weighed down.
How long do I leave bleach in my hair for highlights?
To make sure you achieve the brightest results possible, consider leaving the bleach mixture on for no more than 45 minutes after it is mixed. After this amount of time has passed, start checking your color by massaging some strands between your fingers. If your hair begins turning green, then it’s time to wash out!
How long should you leave bleach in your hair for blue streaks?
To create streaks of silver or lavender, consider leaving the bleach formula on for about 40 minutes. Rinse thoroughly before styling to enjoy the best results! Keep in mind that very light shades can fade quickly, so be prepared to refresh them more often!
Is it safe to visit the sauna after bleaching my hair?
Bleach tends to dry out strands, causing them to become brittle. To avoid extreme damage while visiting a sauna, make sure you use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner throughout your hair care routine. It’s also important not to over-wash recently bleached locks as this might remove too much moisture.
How do I remove bleach stains from my skin?
Your skin turns yellow or orange due to bleach because it contains peroxide. To remove the stain, consider using a bleaching cream on your skin to avoid damage. This will help more effectively remove the color occurring on your pores.
How long should you leave dye in hair after bleaching it?
To avoid damaging newly colored locks, make sure to wait at least one week before washing them again. Over-washing recently dyed hair can cause unnecessary breakage, which is why it’s important to keep strands moisturized until they are ready for another wash.
What should you do the day after you bleach your hair?
The day after bleaching your locks, consider rotating a deep conditioning mask into your hair care routine. This will help lock in moisture and avoid excessively dry locks.
How long should you leave the bleach in for pink hair?
To achieve a natural-looking shade of pink, try leaving the bleach mixture on your strands for about 30 minutes before rinsing it away. Avoid going overboard by checking if any green or yellow tones appear during this time. When washing out the formula, be sure to use a moisturizing shampoo that is free from sulfates!
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Conclusion
If you have ever bleached your hair yourself, even with a colorist’s supervision, the damage it causes is real. To fix this damage, you have to have treatments done regularly for about a year before going back to normal. And how long do you leave bleach in your hair when bleaching? I’m going to say at least half an hour, if not a full hour. This way, it takes in as much of the blonde color as possible before reaching damaging levels.
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