Hair bleach instructions generally recommend applying it to dry locks; however, some choose to stray from this and bleach their locks while it’s still wet – this trend is known as damp balayage.
How Chemical Bleach Works
Bleach is a chemical substance that reacts with various organic compounds containing pigments found in textiles and hair, such as natural pigments found in textiles or hide, to convert these pigments to colorless substances, leaving behind an unmistakably white hue. Bleach can also be used to lighten materials like fabric and wood; it can even act as a cleaning agent and sanitizer!
Effect of Bleach on Hair
Bleach can penetrate both the cuticle and cortex, decomposing melanin pigment to fade its color and diminish brightness and oxidizing cross-linked proteins to weaken hair strands and shorten the length. When applied on wet hair, bleach penetrates both layers, penetrating through cuticle layers into cortex layers. It then degrades melanin by breaking it down, decoloring hair’s hue while weakening its structure and length.
Bleaching Wet Hair: Trends and Risks
Although bleaching wet hair is generally advised against due to potential strand damage, some trends and techniques, such as damp balayage, have proved otherwise. To ensure you achieve desired results without risking the health of your strands, follow all instructions listed on your bleach package carefully – the timing of the application of bleach can have an enormous effect on its final color result.
Risks of Bleaching Wet Hair
When bleaching wet hair, the chemicals contained within bleach can damage its strands. Because wet hair is more fragile and brittle than dry, bleaching could have disastrous results; further, heat styling could further cause further harm. If you feel unprepared to bleach alone, visit a salon for expert help.
Best Practice for Bleaching Hair
Most hair coloring kits recommend applying a bleach mixture to dry hair for the best results since water opens the cuticle, making it harder for bleach to penetrate your locks and lighten them effectively. Protecting your eyes by wearing latex gloves or an old towel is highly advised, as bleach is an extremely harsh chemical that will remove color from anything it touches and discolored fabric clothing.
Bleaching Wet Hair for a Soft Look
Bleaching wet hair is an efficient and quick way to lighten its hue, producing results more quickly than whitening dry locks and creating a very soft look. This technique is often utilized by hairstylists when creating platinum-tinted or light-blonde shades. Professional guidance should always be sought when applying any chemical to your hair, particularly bleach. Wet hair is more vulnerable and could end up damaged if used without professional supervision. Also, bleach can damage clothing and skin, so ideally, wear an old towel or shirt you are willing to discolor as a protective shield during application.
Minimizing Damage when Bleaching Wet Hair
If you bleach your hair while it is wet, water acts as a diluting agent for the bleach and allows you to achieve more subtle highlights. This technique is ideal for a subtle transformation of color when only wanting to lift one or two shades at once. However, there are ways to minimize the damage caused by bleaching wet hair. First, avoid washing it for two or three days before bleaching so your scalp has time to produce natural oils that act as a buffer against bleach’s damaging effects. When bleaching wet hair, run it under cool water until your locks are moist enough for manipulation but not so wet that it becomes unmanageable. Conditioners will help shield against the harsh chemicals found in bleach, while deep conditioning treatments will restore some vitality to your locks after bleaching.
Conclusion
Bleaching wet hair can be risky and potentially damaging to your strands. While some techniques, such as damp balayage, have gained popularity, following instructions and seeking professional guidance is essential to minimize the potential harm to your hair. Take precautions to protect your eyes, clothing, and skin during bleaching, and consider deep conditioning treatments afterward to restore health to your locks.
