Hair Bleaching: What is it? How Does it Work? Will it make your hair darker? Is it safe? Hair Salon San Francisco must answer these questions before they start bleaching your hair. If you have no idea what all of this is, and you want to start bleaching your hair right away, then keep reading to find out everything you need to know about hair bleaching.
Unlike other permanent hair dyes, mainly temporary or semi-permanently colored hair dyes that can be easily washed off over time, hair bleaching is a long-term process. The dye is not some easy pigment that latches your hair strands and gives them blonde color. Instead, the dye is responsible for providing your hair dark pigment, or melanin, similar to how our eyes change color as we age.
This process is responsible for giving you the dark, rich hair color that you are used to getting from certain brands of hair sprays and gels. However, to maintain the original color you get from such things, it’s necessary to do hair bleaching in addition to using those products. This is because the chemicals used to create the original color may also damage your hair further. A deep conditioning your hair is definitely a good option for ensuring that any damage caused by hair-damaging products is quickly corrected. It will also promote new growth and strengthen your hair as well. Deep conditioning must be done every month during the summer months and every other month during the colder months, when your hair can become brittle due to lack of sunlight.
One of the first hair bleaching products sold was the sulfate-free hair dyes. The original sulfates cause burning and itching and result in redness. Sulfate-free dyes are less irritating than the sulfates but still result in burning and itching. Another issue with the sulfates is that they may also cause premature graying, so many beauty companies have begun to produce a non-sulfate hair coloring product.
The next step in hair bleaching was to introduce keratin to the hair shafts. The keratin is derived from sheep’s wool. Some of the early bleaches had a keratin tint similar to the natural color of hair; however, as consumer demand grew and chemicals became cheaper, more colorful dyes were developed. Some people prefer to do hair bleaching with a natural blonde hair color while others prefer to go blonde after perming their hair. This decision comes down to personal preference and what works for each person.
The third popular hair salon technique involves using an acid-based solution to strip hair from the follicle. The process is quite messy and does not leave the hair with very much volume. Acid-based products may also cause dryness or flaking, so they are not recommended for everyday use.
The final method involves the use of mechanical grade nitrate bleach. Mechanical grade nitrate bleach will actually burnish the hair instead of lighten it like chemical-based products do. In addition, nitrate products will last longer without causing any additional damage to the hair colorant.
If you choose to get your hair bleached at a hair salon, ask them what products they use before you consent to having your hair bleached. You may be offered a free trial before you actually agree to have your hair color treated. Read the ingredients on the packaging of hair colorants very carefully and ask lots of questions. It may be worth your time and money to continue reading about hair color care after your hair has been bleached.