Lightening your hair is a good way to renew your look. On light hair, that is blond or light brown, you can use more delicate and natural products, such as lemon juice, chamomile, honey and hydrogen peroxide. To lighten dark hair instead, you need to use a bleach. All methods are potentially harmful to the hair; bleaching, in particular, is a very aggressive practice; therefore, if you have dark or already damaged hair, it is better to rely on the expert hands of a hairdresser.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Lighten Hair with Lemon Juice
Step 1. Mix equal parts water and lemon juice
Lemon juice is widely used to lighten hair naturally. You must keep in mind that although it is a completely natural product it can dry the hair, so it is essential to dilute it. Mix one part of lemon juice with one part of water to reduce its acidity and then pour the product into a spray bottle.
- For the best possible result, use organic lemon juice. Do not buy ready-made bottled one as it may contain additives; squeeze the lemons yourself just before you start. Cut them in half and squeeze them with the juicer.
- Lemon juice is acidic and as such dries the hair. If yours is already very dry, it's best to use coconut oil or conditioner instead of water to minimize damage.
- Alternatively, you can use more water to further dilute its acidity.
Step 2. Spray the mixture on the hair
Shake the bottle to mix the water and lemon juice well. Consider whether you prefer to lighten only the ends or some strands or if you want to apply the lightening mixture all over your hair. Spray it on the areas you want to lighten.
Comb your hair with your hands or a wide-toothed comb to evenly distribute the lemon juice
Step 3. Let your hair dry naturally in the sun
After spraying the lightening mixture where it is needed, sit down in a sunny spot. The heat will help activate the citric acid contained in the lemon juice and lighten the hair. Stay in the sun until your hair is almost completely dry.
- Do not stay in the sun for more than an hour and a half to avoid damage to the hair.
- If you prefer to be very careful, you can apply the lemon juice mixture just before taking a shower and then wash your hair and moisturize it with conditioner. By repeating this process regularly they will gradually lighten without being damaged.
Step 4. Rinse your hair to get rid of the lemon juice and then moisturize it with the conditioner
When they are almost dry, go into the shower and wash off the lemon juice with plenty of water, then use the shampoo and conditioner as usual. Let them dry naturally to prevent the hot air from the hairdryer from drying them out.
- For more intense lightening, you can leave the lemon juice on overnight and rinse your hair the next morning.
- To ensure deeper nutrition of the hair, you can wear a shower cap after applying the conditioner and then gently heat it with the hair dryer.
Method 2 of 5: Lighten Hair with Raw Honey
Step 1. Dissolve the honey in the water
Raw honey contains very modest amounts of hydrogen peroxide, so you can use it to lighten your hair slightly. You can prepare a lightening solution based on this natural ingredient by dissolving 1 or 2 tablespoons (20-40 g) of raw honey in 250 ml of water.
To further nourish your hair as it lightens, you can replace the water with extra virgin olive oil, which is highly moisturizing. Moreover, even olive oil contains substances with a slightly lightening power, so it is excellent to combine with honey
Step 2. Apply the mixture to your hair
When the honey has completely dissolved in the water, rub the solution into your hair with clean hands. You can apply it everywhere or just in some specific areas.
- Comb your hair to distribute the honey evenly.
- If you have thick or very thick hair, divide it into four sections: two above and two below the ears. You will have less trouble applying and distributing honey.
Step 3. Leave the mixture on for half an hour to an hour
After spreading it on your hair, you can leave it on for up to 60 minutes to give the honey time to lighten it. If you want, you can wear a shower cap and leave the honey on overnight for a more intense lightening.
- Honey moisturizes and nourishes your hair as well as gently lightening it, so you will feel very soft the next morning.
- If you are concerned about the shower cap coming off overnight, wrap a towel or scarf around it.
Step 4. Rinse your hair and moisturize it with conditioner
At the end of the set time, wash your hair with shampoo and then apply a nourishing conditioner. Finally let the hair dry naturally.
If you have applied honey to clean hair and after rinsing it feels like there is no sticky residue, you can avoid using the shampoo again. Use only the conditioner to moisturize them and eliminate any knots
Method 3 of 5: Lighten Hair with Chamomile
Step 1. Make a strong infusion
To make a cup of concentrated chamomile, boil the water and then steep a sachet in a cup for 15 minutes.
If you have very long, thick, or too thick hair, make two or more cups of chamomile tea. Use one sachet for each cup
Step 2. Let the chamomile cool
Remove the sachet from the cup after 15 minutes and throw it away. Wait for the infusion to reach room temperature to avoid burning your scalp.
Let it cool for 20-30 minutes to be safe
Step 3. Apply chamomile tea to your hair before taking a shower
Spray it where you need it and let it sit while you cleanse your body.
- You can leave the chamomile on for up to half an hour. Decide when to apply it based on when you intend to shower.
- To help with lightening, you can spray the infusion on your hair and then sit in the sun for 30 minutes.
- As an alternative to chamomile tea, you can use apple cider vinegar after diluting it with water. Mix 125ml of apple cider vinegar with 250ml of water and use the solution as a chamomile infusion.
Step 4. Rinse your hair and moisturize it with conditioner
At the end of the set time, shampoo and then apply a conditioner to nourish the hair. If possible, let them air dry naturally.
- Chamomile does not dry hair unlike some of the ingredients used in other methods, such as hydrogen peroxide or lemon juice, but it is still important to moisturize it with a good conditioner after the treatment.
- If you've applied chamomile or vinegar to clean hair, you don't need to shampoo. Chamomile leaves no residue and apple cider vinegar can act as a cleanser by removing oils and impurities.
Method 4 of 5: Lighten Hair with Hydrogen Peroxide
Step 1. Mix equal parts water and hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle
To make the process more effective, use 3% hydrogen peroxide (you can easily find this in perfumery). Mix one part of hydrogen peroxide and one part of regular water in a spray bottle. Shake it vigorously to combine the two.
At a higher concentration, hydrogen peroxide can damage hair
Step 2. Comb and part your hair
Before applying the lightening solution, remove the knots with the comb or brush. Then divide the hair into small sections and pin them on the head with the clips to be able to proceed neatly.
- Create at least four distinct sections of hair: two above and two below the ears.
- Part the hair horizontally at the height of the ears, as if you wanted to gather it in two overlapping tails. Divide each section in half vertically, as for pigtails.
Step 3. Spray the lightening solution on the hair
After separating them into four or more sections, spray the hydrogen peroxide-based mixture all over your hair, distributing it as evenly as possible, to prevent it from being lighter or darker in some places than in others. If you want to get streaks, moisten a swab or cotton pad with diluted hydrogen peroxide and apply it only on the strands you want to lighten.
- Concentrate the application on the tips if you want to get an ombré effect.
- When you are done applying the solution to one section of hair, dissolve another and repeat the process.
Step 4. Leave the hydrogen peroxide on for 30 minutes
After applying the solution to your hair, leave it on for as long as necessary to achieve the degree of lightening you prefer. Thirty minutes is a suitable time to achieve a medium lightening. It is best not to leave the hydrogen peroxide on for longer to avoid drying the hair too much.
If you want to reduce waiting times, sit in the sun after applying the solution to your hair. When you notice them starting to dry out, you can go and rinse them
Step 5. Rinse your hair and nourish it with conditioner
When they have become the desired shade, wash off the hydrogen peroxide with the cold water from the shower. Afterwards, moisturize them with your favorite conditioner and then rinse them again with cold water. Let them air dry naturally.
- If you have enough time, use a mask instead of conditioner. Hydrogen peroxide tends to dry out the hair, so it is best to use a product that can rehydrate it deeply.
- Let your hair air dry to prevent the heat from the blow dryer from making it even drier.
- If the weather or commitments don't allow you to let them dry naturally, set the hair dryer air to a cold or medium temperature and dry them at 75-90%, then let them finish drying on their own.
Method 5 of 5: Bleaching the Hair
Step 1. Feed them deeply before bleaching them
Since discoloration is an aggressive treatment that can dehydrate them a lot, it is important to moisturize them regularly in the weeks before. Apply a nourishing mask twice a week in the period leading up to the bleaching.
If your hair is already very dry, consider using the mask up to three times a week for the bleaching treatment
Step 2. Prepare the bleach solution by following the instructions on the products
You will need to mix the bleaching powder with the hydrogen peroxide. You can find both products in perfumery, ask the store staff for advice so as not to make mistakes. Respect the doses and times indicated on the packages and use a glass, plastic or ceramic bowl to mix the products. Mix them thoroughly using a non-metal object.
- Oxygen peroxide is available in different concentrations (10 to 40 volumes). To lighten your hair without damaging it too much, it is best to use a 30-volume hydrogen peroxide. However, if you have a very sensitive scalp, it is preferable to use a concentration of 20 volumes.
- If this is your first time bleaching your hair, you may want to start with 10 or 20 volume hydrogen peroxide. You will get a less intense lightening and you may have to repeat the process to get the desired shade, but at least you will not run the risk of finding yourself with too light or very damaged hair.
- Bleaches work best on natural hair, but can also be used on dyed hair.
- Remember that having bleached hair is definitely worse than having dark hair, so be very careful.
Step 3. Use a brush to apply the bleach to the hair
This is the best way to get a uniform result. The pointed part of the brush is useful for separating the hair and being able to reach the roots, while the bristles allow you to distribute the bleaching mixture quickly and evenly to the ends.
- Put on a pair of protective gloves before you start applying the bleach to your hair.
- Depending on the result you want to achieve, you can also bleach the roots or not. Dark roots are in fashion, so you can take advantage of them to limit damage to the scalp.
Step 4. Let the bleach take effect for about half an hour
After applying the mixture all over your hair, leave it on for 30-45 minutes. Check your hair every 10-15 minutes to find out if it has already achieved the desired result. According to the starting color, the shade will gradually change from light brown to golden blond to very light blond.
- Refer to the instructions for the bleaching powder. Each product requires a slightly different shutter speed that takes into account your starting color.
- Hair changes from individual to individual. Your hair may react faster or slower than that of other people who have used the same product. Based solely on the enclosed instructions and not for example on the experience of a friend or sister.
- Do not leave the bleach on for more than 45 minutes, for any reason. If your hair hasn't lightened enough, you can repeat the process the next day.
Step 5. Rinse your hair thoroughly
At the end of the set time, rinse your hair thoroughly with plenty of cold water, then use the shampoo to make sure it is perfectly clean.
- After shampooing, rinse your hair properly and don't use conditioner as it may interfere with the next steps.
- After bleaching your hair it is best to use a mild, moisturizing shampoo. The bleaching powder will have dried them out, so choose a product that will soften them.
Step 6. Apply a hair toner (or toner) and let it work
After bleaching them, the hair will be an extravagant yellowish color rather than a beautiful blonde. To pigment them and get the shade you want, apply a toner while they are still damp. The function of this product is to neutralize yellow tones and should be left on for 20-30 minutes.
- Ask for advice in perfumery to buy the most suitable toning, based on the type of hair and the result you want to achieve.
- You can achieve a similar result by using an anti-yellow effect shampoo. It is a product that contains purple pigments that are used to eliminate yellow reflections and make the color brighter. Unlike toners, anti-yellow shampoos require a shorter processing time.
Step 7. Rinse your hair to remove toner and then nourish it by applying a mask
At the end of the exposure time, rinse your hair thoroughly with cold water to remove the toning. Then apply a nutrient-rich mask following the directions on the package. Finally rinse your hair again.
You may have to repeat the process two or three times if your hair is very dark. Even if you're in a hurry to sport a nice blonde color, it's best to give your hair time to recover before bleaching it again. Wait at least two weeks before repeating the treatment
Advice
- Evaluate the health of your hair. If the first discoloration damaged them, wait for them to recover before lightening them again.
- All the methods described require patience. It is best to proceed slowly so as not to damage your hair and to avoid the risk of getting a shade you do not like. Accept that you have to apply several applications before reaching the desired color.
- Even if you have decided to lighten your hair with a natural ingredient, it is important to test a hidden strand before applying it all over. Choose an inconspicuous section, for example at the nape of the neck. If you like the result, you can lighten the rest of the hair.
- If your hair feels like it's getting dry, try a different method next time, based on nourishing ingredients. For example, if you have used lemon juice so far, you can try honey and extra virgin olive oil which, in addition to lightening the hair, moisturize them.
- Don't expect to make radical changes with natural ingredients. They will extract the pigments from the hair very slowly and gently. It is not possible to go from brown to blond with a single application.
- Natural ingredients, such as lemon juice, honey, chamomile, and hydrogen peroxide, work best on light brown or dark blonde hair. If you have dark hair, it is essential to bleach it to make it blonde.
- The effectiveness of each single method largely depends on the starting color. The lighter the base color, the lighter the hair.
- All methods work best on hair that is not perfectly clean. Wait two to three days after shampooing for the oils produced by the scalp to create a protective coating that reduces damage. The hair will lighten the same way, but it will dry out less.
- Wear cheap clothes. The substances that lighten the hair also act on the tissues. It is also best to protect the floor or carpets by spreading old towels, newspaper or a large half-open garbage bag on the floor.
Warnings
- Do not try to dye your lashes or brows using these methods to avoid putting your eyes at risk.
- Never exceed the recommended shutter speed, even when using a natural ingredient, to avoid damaging the hair.
