Many people use hydrogen peroxide as a popular at-home method to get lighter hair tones without going to a salon. Although its lightening properties are well known, not everyone is aware of the safe ways to use it for highlights at home.
When used carefully, hydrogen peroxide can be a very effective tool for brightening hair. If done wrong, it can result in damage or uneven color. However, it is totally possible to achieve highlights that look natural with the correct technique.
We’ll guide you through the process of using hydrogen peroxide to highlight hair at home in a safe and efficient manner without endangering the integrity of your hair strands in this article.
Question | Answer |
Can you highlight hair with hydrogen peroxide at home? | Yes, it is possible, but it requires caution to avoid damage. |
What should you prepare before starting? | You"ll need hydrogen peroxide (3% solution), gloves, a spray bottle, cotton balls, and aluminum foil. |
How do you apply peroxide for highlights? | Section your hair, apply peroxide to the strands you want to highlight using cotton balls or a spray bottle. |
How long should you leave it on? | Leave it on for 15-30 minutes depending on your hair color and texture, then rinse with cool water. |
What precautions should you take? | Always perform a strand test first to see how your hair reacts, and deep condition afterward to keep your hair healthy. |
- Characteristics of the substance and its effect on hair
- Pros and cons of the procedure
- How to highlight hair at home?
- Calculation of the required concentration of the solution and the holding time for different types of curls
- Safety precautions
- What is needed to carry out the procedure at home?
- Step-by-step algorithm of actions
- How and in what proportions to prepare solutions?
- Step-by-step instructions
- Video on the topic
- How to make peroxide at home.
- How to lighten hair at home?
- How to lighten hair at home ?
- I LIGHTENED MY HAIR WITH PEROXIDE AND SODA😜CRAZY
Characteristics of the substance and its effect on hair
With the formula H2O2, hydrogen peroxide is a colorless, transparent liquid that is a potent oxidant. Both alcohol and water can easily dissolve it. It is employed in the food, chemical, and medical industries as well as daily life.
Different peroxide percentage solutions are generated. The medication’s bleaching qualities are used to lighten hair at home.
Hydrogen peroxide oxidizes when it comes into touch with oxygen on the curls. Oxidation processes cause the pigment melanin, which gives the strands their color, to become discolored.
Pros and cons of the procedure
The use of hydrogen peroxide for hair highlighting is a controversial technique with mixed results. Among the benefits are the following:
- The method allows you to get a light color of strands at home, without visiting a hairdresser.
- The drug has a low price.
- Peroxide is an affordable product that is sold in any pharmacy.
- If you strictly follow the instructions, the composition is easy to use.
- The product is non-toxic, has no unpleasant odor and rarely causes allergies.
- The procedure helps to lighten to blonde for owners of naturally light-brown strands.
- The bleaching effect lasts for a long time – the product is well absorbed into the hair scales.
There are numerous drawbacks to the procedure:
- Peroxide has an aggressive effect on the hair: it dries out the curls very much.
- When preparing and using the solution, you need to be careful, otherwise there is a high probability of damaging the curls.
- There is a risk of uneven hair coloring.
- The method may not be suitable for dark curls. The product allows you to lighten dark hair by two or three tones and gives it a reddish tint. It is impossible to achieve a platinum color.
- Using peroxide on previously dyed hair can lead to unpredictable results.
How to highlight hair at home?
Calculation of the required concentration of the solution and the holding time for different types of curls
Thirty grams of solution are needed for short strands, fifty grams for medium-length strands, and more than fifty grams for long curls. The density of the hair affects both the composition’s exposure time and the solution’s peroxide percentage:
- If the hair is thick, 8-12% solution is recommended. Bleaching requires two hours or more. You may have to carry out the procedure several times, which can negatively affect the condition of the strands.
- For curls of medium thickness you should take a 6-8% solution. The duration of contact of the strands with the composition is from one to two hours.
- For thin hair it is enough to use 3% peroxide. The exposure time is from half an hour to an hour.
Crucial! If the hair is porous and gets wet easily when being washed, you should use a less concentrated solution.
Safety precautions
When handling hydrogen peroxide, exercise caution:
- Avoid contact of the concentrated product with skin and mucous membranes, otherwise you may get a chemical burn. Wear gloves for protection.
- Keep the product out of reach of children.
Should a skin burn happen:
- Immediately rinse the affected area with plenty of running water at room temperature for 25 minutes.
- Lubricate with Panthenol or Levomekol.
Seek medical attention if you have a severe chemical burn.
It is advised that you ready your hair for the procedure correctly:
- Do not dye your hair with paint or do a perm shortly before highlighting.
- Limit drying with a hair dryer.
- Do not use alcohol-based chemical styling products.
- Regularly do hair masks.
Before the procedure, a test needs to be performed, particularly if you’ve previously had your hair colored.
- Soak a cotton pad in the prepared solution.
- Separate a small strand from the lower layers.
- Treat it along the entire length and leave the composition for the required time.
- Check how the hair lightens. If the result is unsatisfactory, adjust the concentration of the product and the duration of exposure.
Take note! To avoid damaging the strands, highlighting can be done again no sooner than two weeks later.
What is needed to carry out the procedure at home?
The following tools and supplies are required for the at-home highlighting process:
- hydrogen peroxide;
- water;
- fat cream;
- non-metal bowl;
- cotton pads;
- foil;
- clamps for strands;
- comb with a thin handle;
- hair dryer;
- gloves;
- old towel.
It is advised to cover the floor with plastic wrap or bags.
Hydrogen peroxide hair highlights are doable and practical at home with the correct technique, but care must be taken to prevent hair damage. With proper preparation, the right amount of peroxide, and step-by-step instructions, you can achieve lighter highlights without going to a salon. To avoid overprocessing or uneven results, it’s crucial to know your hair type and to limit the exposure period.
Step-by-step algorithm of actions
How and in what proportions to prepare solutions?
There are numerous ways to find a solution:
- Hydrogen peroxide is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:1.
- Take a drop of ammonia per 10 ml of hydrogen peroxide. Do not exceed the dosage. High concentration of ammonia gives the curls a red tint.
- Mix 40 ml of peroxide, 1 teaspoon of ammonium bicarbonate, 30 ml of water and 20 ml of liquid soap.
Step-by-step instructions
- Wash your hair with shampoo.
- Apply conditioner and rinse after a few minutes.
- Allow your hair to dry naturally a little. Hair should remain slightly damp.
- Apply a rich cream along the hairline to protect the skin.
- Prepare a solution.
- Soak a cotton pad in the prepared composition.
- Make a parting in the middle of the head.
- Separate small strands, idle curls can be fixed with clamps. Process each selected strand with a cotton pad and wrap in a piece of foil.
- On dark hair, keep the composition for 45 minutes, on light hair – about 30 minutes. The lighter the desired shade, the longer we"ll have to wait for the results. To get the expected color, it is better to unfold several strands after half an hour and check the shade. If your hair is not lightened enough, wait a little longer. To speed up the process, you can wrap your hair in a towel and warm it up with a hairdryer for 10-15 minutes.
- Rinse off the mixture with cold water.
- Use a conditioner.
- Make a hair mask.
- Dry your hair naturally, without using a hairdryer.
Suggestions. You can use a swimming cap with holes to highlight areas. After passing the strands through them, use a cotton pad or spray bottle to treat.
It is possible to highlight your hair at home with hydrogen peroxide, but it takes meticulous attention to detail. You don’t need expert assistance to achieve a brighter look if done correctly. But during the procedure, you must exercise patience and take your time.
To find out how your hair responds to peroxide, start with a strand test, particularly if you’re not sure about the outcome. You can achieve the highlights you desire by applying peroxide evenly and according to the recommended procedures, but keep in mind that each person’s hair type and texture are unique.
Hair health should always come first for optimal outcomes. After highlighting, think about moisturizing treatments to avoid damage and dryness. You can safely lighten your hair and love your new look if you take the right care of it.