The discoloration of the hair corresponds to the removal of the pigment from the yarns and is made with the purpose of lightening the hair and for this, two products are used: hydrogen peroxide, which opens the cuticle of the yarns, and the decolorant, which penetrates the yarns to remove the natural color.
The process of discoloration is quite exhausting for the threads, resulting in very dry hair, opaque and brittle. Therefore, before doing a coloring process, for example, it is important to identify the characteristics of the hair. So it is important to do a recovery of the yarn before and after discoloration, such as moisturizing or cauterization, to prevent the hair from getting too damaged by the process. Check out some home-made options to moisturize dry hair.
The best way to discolor hair is with a professional at the salon, but it can also be done at home. For this, it is recommended to have the hair dry at the time of application and, preferably, dirty, because the natural oiliness of the hair helps to protect the wires. In addition, it is recommended to wear an old blouse or a robe to avoid staining the clothes.
How to discolor hair
The step by step to discolor the hair is:
- Choose the bleach, preferably good brands and that are blue in color, which have a better decolorizing effect and prevent the hair from getting too yellow. Some examples of brands are: Blond Up by Revlon, Blond Me by Schwarzkopf, Wella Blondor, Platinum Plus by Lóreal or Alfaparf supermechas, for example;
- Choose the hydrogen peroxide that will react with the bleach, preferably stabilized cream in the volume of 10 to 40. It should be remembered that the higher the volume of hydrogen peroxide, the faster the bleaching effect, however, it can spoil faster the wires;
- Mix the decolorizing powder and hydrogen peroxide until they form a creamy and homogeneous mixture, usually with 1 measure of the powder for 2 measures of hydrogen peroxide;
- Test a strand of hair to see if there is any damage to the hair during the process, and you should avoid discolouring your hair if the strands become too brittle or elastic. In these cases, seek a professional hairdresser;
- Divide the hair into strands using fasteners. Make sure you can see the back of the hair well, which can be viewed by placing a mirror on the back, but if it is difficult, call another person to help apply the product;
- Spray a moisturizing cream on the skin around the hair, such as the forehead, nape and ears, to prevent staining or irritation with the product;
- Apply the product with a hairbrush, beginning with the ends of the threads, and then pass on the upper parts, because the root is more sensitive and ends up discoloring first than the tips. If the intention is to discolor all hair, including the root, prefer to pass the product along the entire length, then pass in the region near the scalp, so that the result is more homogeneous;
- Observe the action time of the product, and it should be avoided for more than 30 to 40 minutes with the product in the hair. One tip is to look every 5-10 minutes if the desired shade has been reached, as the discoloration time varies according to the current color of the hair and if other products have already been used that may hinder discoloration;
- Wash hair with shampoo and rinse well, to remove all residues from the product;
- Finish with a tinting with products that correct the toning of the yarns, avoiding that they acquire unwanted tones, such as yellowish, orange or grayish, for example. Usually they are specific products, of purple or blue color, however, they can be replaced by toners, paints or other types of color correctors;
When finalizing the process, make a good hydration in the threads, with a moisturizing mask. For a better reconstruction result, add a ampoule of keratin to the hydration. Check out also, homemade mask options to moisturize different types of hair.
Care after discoloration
After the discoloration, the hairs are left with the cuticles open, which causes them to lose nutrients and hydration. Thus, it is necessary to have some care for the hair to remain healthy, silky and shiny, such as:
- Weekly or biweekly moisturizing at home, and once a month performing capillary reconstruction treatment at the beauty salon;
- Diet with high-protein foods such as eggs and gelatine, for example, because protein helps in the formation of hair, making hair grow faster and look more beautiful. Learn to choose foods that strengthen your hair;
- Avoid washing the hair with very hot water, as the heat facilitates the opening of the scales of the threads;
- After washing, let the hair dry naturally and use a good leave-in, such as the Argan oil base or coconut oil, to protect the yarn from aggressions like heat, wind and sun;
- If you need to dry your hair with a hairdryer, try to keep a distance of 30 cm from the threads;
- Comb the hair gently, disengaging calmly and preferably using wide-tooth combs.
In addition, it is also recommended to program a Capillary Schedule, which is an intensive hydration treatment, divided in phases, being a powerful recuperator of damaged wires. Learn how to save hair in 1 month with the hair schedule.
