Can You Bleach Damp Hair? | Hair Coloring Tips

Can You Bleach Damp Hair? Balayage is a lightening hair coloring method. It entails “painting” bleach on specific hair strands.

Typically, more bleach is used near the ends, resulting in a gentle color transition. This creates a natural-looking highlight effect.

On dry hair, a normal balayage is performed. Wet balayage, on the other hand, has grown immensely popular in recent years. Instead of using bleach on dry hair, this method uses wet hair. This results in a more subtle highlight, which is perfect for some looks.

You might be curious about how wet balayage affects the hair if you’re interested in the procedure. Let’s take a look at what occurs when you bleach damp hair, as well as some things to keep in mind.

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Why do colorists bleach wet hair?

There are a variety of reasons why colorists bleach wet hair. It’s possible they’ll do it too:

Create a subtle lightening effect

If you wish to lighten your hair gently, your colorist may utilize this approach. The bleach is diluted by the water, resulting in a small color shift.

The water also distributes the bleach evenly. This softens the lightning effect by preventing sharp color transitions.

Make the ends stand out more

In between coloring visits, wet balayage can hair used to “boost” already lightened ends.

After a regular highlight session, it’s also utilized to brighten the ends even more. A colorist can increase the appearance by adding more bleach after your hair has been bleached, processed, and rinsed.

Make your application go faster

If you need a rapid coloring treatment, your colorist may utilize wet balayage.

Wet hair not only speeds up the bleaching process but also allows for a more subtle color shift. It’s not necessary for the bleach to sit on your hair for an extended period of time.

Is it more difficult to bleach wet hair?

Although it is convenient to bleach damp hair, there are certain disadvantages.

Hair is weakest when wet

Your hair may suffer as a result of this approach. This is because wet hair is the weakest. The cuticle, which is the stiff outer coat that surrounds each strand, is opened up by water. It’s constructed out of overlapping scale sheets.

The cortex, or center section of the hair, is normally protected by the cuticle. Melanin, a pigment found in the cortex, is responsible for the color of your hair.

When the cuticle is open, however, it is unable to shield the cortex effectively. As a result, the hair is more susceptible to injury.

This is not something you should try at home

This is not a procedure you should try at home. If done poorly, it can cause serious damage to your hair.

Furthermore, at-home coloring kits come with instructions that you should always follow. It’s unlikely that they’ll require bleaching or dying damp hair.

It’s best to hire a professional colorist

It’s better to work with a colorist while bleaching wet hair. They’ll know how to do the process safely while still safeguarding your hair.

They can, for example, use the proper amount of water before applying bleach. To minimize damage, they may apply a specific conditioner after bleaching.

A colorist can also tell you if bleaching wet hair will give you the look you want.

What happens when you apply bleach to damp hair?

Bleaching hair has various effects on wet and dry hair on a cellular level.

When bleach is applied to dry hair, it enters the cuticle. It subsequently travels to the brain, where it degrades melanin. The pigment in your hair is reduced, resulting in a lighter color.

Underneath the cuticle, there are also cross-linked proteins. These proteins provide your hair structure. Bleach weakens the hair by oxidizing and destroying the proteins.

The cuticle scales are already lifted while your hair is damp. Bleach passes through readily and into the brain, where it dissolves melanin.

However, because the bleach is diluted with water, there is no noticeable color change. This lightens the hair swiftly but gently.

Should you wash and dry your hair before coloring it?

It’s best not to wash your hair right before you bleach it. This is because the natural oil in your hair, known as sebum, shields your scalp during the procedure. The oil will assist to reduce scalp irritation and protein damage in the hair.

Besides, the colorist will only dampen the hair that is being lightened if you have a wet balayage. Instead of washing your entire head of hair, they’ll most likely utilize a water bottle to spray specific strands.

You’ll probably have to wait a few days before your visit to shampoo your hair. Your colorist will be able to tell you how many days you should go without washing.

Any other bleaching hair best practices?

can you bleach damp hair | Can You Bleach Wet Hair

There are certain things you can do to safeguard your hair if you want to bleach it. The following suggestions help keep your hair from getting dry and brittle.

Make a deep conditioner for your hair. Deep-conditioning your hair in the weeks leading up to your visit is suggested. This will moisturize your hair and lessen the chance of breakage before you bleach it.
Consult a professional colorist. A skilled hairstylist would know how to bleach hair properly while minimizing harm.
Your bleaching treatments should be kept to a minimum. Make an effort to spread out your appointments. It’s one of the most effective techniques to keep your hair from becoming too treated.
Heat treatments should be avoided. Heat styling can exacerbate the effects of bleached hair. It’s preferable to avoid the combination of heat and bleaching because it can cause scalp burns.
Sun exposure should be avoided. Keep your hair out of the sun, which can cause it to get more damaged and break. Wear a hat or use a hair sunscreen.
Avoid swimming in chlorine pools. Similarly, chlorine in swimming pools may wreak havoc on your hair. If you plan on swimming in a pool, consider wearing a swim cap.
Request product recommendations from your colorist. Bleached hair necessitates more attention and products. Make sure you’re using formulas designed specifically for bleached or color-treated hair.

The most important takeaways

When it comes to generating a gentle lightening impact, bleaching wet hair is optimal. However, it’s preferable to have your hair colored by a professional.

When your hair is wet, it is more brittle, so use extra precautions when applying bleach. A professional colorist will know how to dampen and bleach your hair properly.

Bleached hair necessitates special attention. Dryness and breakage can be avoided by limiting heat styling, sun exposure, and swimming in chlorinated pools. You should also minimize your bleaching sessions and utilize bleached hair products.

For particular ideas and advice, consult your colorist.

FAQ

Still not convinced that you understand all of the complexities and specifics of bleaching? Take a break and read over these frequently asked questions from women all over the world!

Is it possible to color wet hair after bleaching?

Because both surgeries are stressful to our chevelure, we do not advocate performing both on the same day. Allow some time to pass before dyeing the chevelure.

Is it possible to bleach a wig?

If it’s made of human hair, yes. Because the fake hair is badly penetrated by the bleaching solution, the synthetic unit is likely to be ruined.

Is it possible to bleach wet grey hair?

Bleach can be detrimental to grey locks because they are weaker in the first place. If you insist on doing it, make sure to carefully prepare the chevelure and select a product with the least quantity of chemicals.

Is it possible to highlight damp hair?

Definitely! Furthermore, highlighting with wet strands is far superior to thorough bleaching.

We hope you found these suggestions useful and that they will help you make the best decision possible when it comes to making your chevelure lighter! While bleaching strands isn’t difficult, it does necessitate a certain level of expertise.

When picking a bleaching product, be cautious and attentive to ensure that it is as safe as possible, as the operation is fairly harsh on the locks. Also, don’t skip the preparation stage because it helps you to safeguard your chevelure in preparation for the forthcoming task!

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