When trying to change your dark hair to blonde, you need to choose the correct bleach for black hair. Dark hair has more pigments and is often thick and coarse. The pigments from dark hair gradually lift becoming brown, red, orange and pale yellow.
In this blog, you’ll learn how to bleach dark hair and get recommendations for the best professional bleach for dark hair.
Why Does Dark Hair Need A Different Approach For Bleaching
Dark hair has lots of pigments, which means it is relatively harder to lighten. Along with that, dark hair is also typically of African, Hispanic, or Asian origin. Dark hair is thicker and coarser which needs a good bleach and developer combination.
So the same bleach that lightens brunette hair in 25 minutes will take more time to work on dark black or brown hair. There’s no single answer for what the best bleach for dark hair is. It depends on how dark your hair is, your hair’s condition and how much you’re trying to lighten it.
What Happens When You Use Bleach On Dark Hair
When you bleach dark hair, it strips away the dark color. The developer in the mixture opens up the hair cuticle, which is the outer layer of the hair strand, and “lifts” or breaks down the melanin.
Black hair, when bleached, turns from black to brown, then red, then orange to yellow, and then a pale yellow. It is important to let the bleach get enough time on your hair to lighten your hair effectively.
Home Kit vs Professional Bleach For Hair: What to Choose
A hair bleaching box for home use is a convenient way to lighten dark hair. It has all the things needed, powder bleach, developer, gloves, in one box. It has a fixed measurement of product and gives you detailed instructions of use.
A professional powder bleach with separate developer offers you control over the strength of the developer, the mixing ratio and timing, depending on your hair and needs.
For dark hair, the control that professional bleach allows matters more because it needs gradual lightening.
What Bleach And Developer To Use For Dark Hair
The best hair bleach for dark hair you use enters the opened cuticle and oxidizes the melanin to lift off the dark hair color.
The developer contains hydrogen peroxide, which swells the hair cuticle and opens it up. It also works as an activator that encourages the bleach to start working in the hair shaft. The developer is available with different levels, known as volume, which determine how much and how fast the hair will lighten.
A Quick Look At Developer Volumes Bleaching Black Hair
| Developer Volume | How Much It Lifts | How It Works On Dark Hair |
| 10 Volume | It offers minimal lift. | This volume is not enough to bleach dark hair. |
| 20 Volume | It lightens hair 1 to 2 levels. | This volume is ideal for touch ups and applying near the scalp. |
| 30 Volume | It lightens hair 2 to 3 levels. | It is a common choice for use on mid lengths and ends of dark black and brown hair. |
| 40 Volume | It lightens hair up to 4 or more levels. | It is the fastest to lift dark hair but poses risks of damage. It is mostly for professional use. |
How To Mix Bleach For Dark Brown Hair
The most common ratio of bleach and developer mix is 1 part bleach with 2 parts of developer. This creates a thick consistency that doesn’t run. This thick consistency is required for applying and spreading it easily.
At professional salons, the mix ratio can be 1 part bleach and 1 part developer. It has a stronger lifting power that only experienced hands can handle. This mix can dry out faster and is less forgiving on your hair.
Tips For Mixing Hair Bleach For Black Hair
- Always mix your bleach in a plastic bowl. Metal bowls can react with the peroxide and alter your results.
- Measure the products precisely rather than just guesswork. Proper consistency is key to achieve best results.
- Mix the bleach and developer and quickly apply it in your hair because bleach can lose its power fast once it is activated.
What Is The Best Bleach For Dark Hair
Wella Blondor Plex9
It’s a go-to product in many salons. It offers a reliable lift for dark hair, results in a neutral finish and also offers added bond protection for your hair. The Wella Blondor Plex9 is an upgrade of the original Wella Blondor.
It offers up to 9 levels of lift, ideal for dark black or brown hair. It is also good at lightening the scalp and pre-colored hair. The Plex9 infused product helps minimize hair breakage. It’s also a dust free product, meaning it doesn’t fly in the air during mixing.
Davines Century Of Light
It’s an eco-conscious product that offers equally amazing performance. It gives your hair a gentle and consistent lift and leaves it feeling soft and shiny. The Davines Century of Light is an ideal product for getting a natural blonde or balayage treatment on your dark hair.
It gives off low odor and is very gentle on your scalp. It has a white bleach powder that has no neutralizing agents in it. It is a great option for controlled and even blonding procedures.
Schwarzkopf Blondme Clay Lightener
It is an ideal choice for dark brown balayage looks. The Schwarzkopf Blondme Clay Lightener has a clay-based formulation that spreads on your hair easily and stays on. It allows you to do a freehand application precisely and creates a natural looking balayage.
The texture of the product makes it easy to have complete control during the application process, which helps create a beautifully blended look on dark hair.
How To Use Hair Bleach For Dark Hair Safely: Step By Step
Step 1: Strand Test
Before applying it all over your hair, do a strand test first. Apply the best bleach for black hair
mixture to a small action and note how much time it takes to reach the desired result.
Step 2: Section Hair
Start sectioning your hair into four or more parts using hair clips. This helps apply the product evenly throughout your hair and not miss any spots.
Step 3: Apply Bleach
Apply the bleach starting an inch away from the hair roots. Once you have applied on the hair lengths, go back to the roots for application. This is because your hair roots process the bleach faster due to your body heat.
Step 4: Check Progress
Don’t just apply the product and leave it for the instructed timing. Keep checking your hair every 10 minutes to see how much progress has been made.
Step 5: Rinse Hair
Once your hair has reached the right lift stage, rinse your hair. Follow it up with a bond building or deep conditioning product to make up for the protein loss that bleach causes in hair.
Conclusion
Lifting dark hair safely depends on how much pigment you need to lift. Based on that, you need to match your developer strength, ratio and timing. The right bleach mix can result in consistent and healthy hair lightening results on dark hair.
FAQs
Is 30 or 40 developer better for black hair?
For black hair, a 30 volume developer is a safe choice offering a steady lightening on your mid-lenght and hair ends. A 40 volume developer lifts black hair faster but has risk of causing damage.
Is 40 minutes too long for bleach?
For bleaching dark hair, most people set a timer of 50 to 60 minutes. This depends on how dark and pigmented your hair is and what product you are using. Check your hair every 10 minutes to see if you have got your desired results.
Does bleach actually damage hair?
Yes, bleach can cause damage to your hair. Bleaching dark hair opens up your hair cuticle and breaks down the melanin. This causes damage to your hair’s protein bonds, affecting your hair’s strength.
Can hair recover from bleaching?
Your hair is not a living tissue so it cannot repair itself. Using bond repair treatments and deep conditioners on your hair can help improve its strength and softness. Badly damaged hair needs to be trimmed off.
