Blondes may have more fun but their hair might not be as healthy as their brunette counterparts'. Bleaching hair is big business. Beauty salons lighten their client's hair for a more or less dramatic effect, and supermarkets carry numerous do-it-yourself hair bleaching kits, promising that sun-kissed look. Bleaching the hair involves decolorizing the hair shaft, usually through chemical processing.
Process
Bleaching isn't always artificial; the sun's rays stimulate natural oxidation in the hair shaft. In addition, a 2009 European study found that humans produce hydrogen peroxide in the hair follicles as we age, resulting in decolorized, gray hair. Today's hair bleaching products accomplish the same thing, only faster. Hydrogen peroxide and ammonia persulfate oxidize the melanin in the hair shaft, "lifting" the hair color until it reaches the desired shade.
Features
Consumer hair bleaching kits contain a package of powdered bleach and a bottle of developer, which act as an oxidizing agent when combined. When applied to the hair, the solution removes the natural color from the hair shaft. The longer the solution remains on the hair, the lighter the hair becomes. Salon technicians may combine bleaching ingredients for a custom effect.
Effects
As the color in the hair shaft lifts, the natural underlying tones appear. A dark haired individual with red/gold undertones may think her hair is orange if she checks it at this stage. However, if the developer remains on the hair longer, the orange color will also lift. Since bleaching damages the hair shaft, the longer amount of time required to lift dark hair to blonde may result in brittle hair and breakage. Naturally light hair bleaches quicker and may suffer less damage.
Techniques
Bleach, applied to a few strands of hair by pulling the hair through a plastic cap with a hook, results in hair highlights. Salon technicians may also "weave" the hair, isolating small strands by weaving a thin pick through sections of hair, applying the bleach and then wrapping the strands in foil for processing. "Chunking" involves bleaching larger sections of hair. Other bleaching methods include slicing streaks of bleach through the hair or bleaching the entire head of hair.
Warning
Along with oxidizing melanin to remove color, the bleach destroys thiol, a natural lubricating ingredient that allows the hairs to slip smoothly over one another. Allowing the bleaching solution to remain on the hair too long may result in dry, frizzy hair that breaks easily. Because some individuals may be sensitive to some bleaching agents, a skin test, prior to applying the bleach, is essential.
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