Why is My Hair Not Bleaching

Table of Contents

• Why didn’t bleach take to my hair?
• Bleach Mixture
• Insufficient timing & overstay of bleach on the scalp
• Can I bleach my hair again if it doesn’t lighten?
• How long should bleach sit on hair?
• Why is my hair not blonde after bleaching?
• Should you bleach dirty hair?
• How do you fix failed bleaching?
• How can I make my hair bleach work better?
• Conclusion

Why is My Hair Not Bleaching? Well! There are quite a number of factors as to why hair won’t bleach, like not understanding the underlying hair pigment, inappropriate timing, and many more.

Bleaching hair is a transformative experience, offering a new look and a fresh perspective on our hair. 

However, sometimes, despite our best efforts, hair refuses to lighten, and you notice a large and disappointing difference between your expectations and reality. 

I’ve been there, particularly when you are a beginner doing it at home. 

Your mind starts to buzz with so many questions, like What’s wrong with my hair? Is the bleach fake, or did I use the wrong quantity? Etc.

Well, you are not alone! Let’s explore why your hair won’t bleach and the possible solutions available.

Let’s start!

Why didn’t bleach take to my hair?

It’s essential to understand that the hair is made up of several layers; bleach works by penetrating the cuticle (the outermost layer) to remove the natural pigment from the hair shaft.

So, if your hair color is not lifting, it means the bleach is unable to penetrate the hair cuticles, which is a result of several factors:

Hair Color: Every hair has underlying pigment, whether already colored hair or natural hair. 

Colored pigments are different from natural pigments; bleaching melts the pigments. So, the more pigments melt, the lighter your hair color.

However, already-colored hair pigment doesn’t really melt; it just changes color. 

With the understanding that every hair has an underlying pigment, your present hair color, and the developer’s volume used in the bleach will determine how fast you get to your desired color.

Particularly for natural dark hair, in the above diagram, you see the pigment stages. 

For example, if you have dark hair and you want a platinum blonde, it is impossible to get that shade just in one bleaching session. 

You have to go in twice to get the desired outcome by using a 30-volume developer. So, a developer has different volumes. 

There are 10, 20, 30, and 40. 10 is when you want to lighten up your hair color a bit; for 20 volumes, you will go two times lighter; this volume is often used to do a soap cap.

With 30 volumes, you can lift to three or four levels, and for 40 volumes, it lifts to five levels. It’s really fast, and it works really hard on your hair. 

However, some hairdressers can use a 40-volume developer If they are very careful. 

Plus, it will probably take about six hours in the salon, and you will pay a lot of money because it takes time.

30 volumes is the safest way to bleach your hair without killing your scalp or hair. 

When bleaching hair, dark hair requires more product and attention than those shades closer to the target color. 

This is because dark hair has more underlying pigment, which makes the bleaching process more challenging. The number of sessions is dependent on your desired color tone.

Bleach Mixture

The issue might be with the bleach mixture itself. Using the wrong developer strength or incorrect proportions can affect the bleaching process. 

Choosing the developer to use in a hair bleach all boils down to your current hair color, the underlying pigment, and the target hair color tone. 

So, if your hair ir close to your target hair color, just use a 20-volume developer so that when you apply the toner, you have a balanced hair color.

Also, Don’t use 30 volumes on the roots; due to the heat your scalp emanates, it tends to bleach fast, so you want to use 10 volume for the roots or scalp and 30 volume for the length. 

That way, you have a little darker roots and flashy lengths. It’s important to follow the instructions carefully and consider doing a strand test first.

Hair Condition: Bleach is less effective if your hair is not in good condition. 

If your hair is damaged, overly porous, or has a lot of buildup from products or oils, it will not bleach evenly.

Porous hair is more brittle, and its cuticle is more open. This means that the thread, while sucking up the ink, also has difficulty absorbing and holding onto the pigmentation.

Ensure your hair is clean before bleaching, with no greasy texture and no dirt. Also, don’t apply bleach the same day you wash your hair; it will hurt. 

Wait 2-3 days after wash day before bleaching your hair. I’m of the opinion that when your hair is in repair mode, don’t bother bleaching it; instead, let it rest.

Scalp Sensitivity: If your scalp is sensitive or you have conditions like dandruff, psoriasis, or dermatitis, it affects the bleaching process. 

Before bleaching your hair, ensure you have a healthy scalp and hair; these are prerequisites for a hassle-free bleaching process.

Previous Hair Treatments: If you’ve had previous hair treatments, such as coloring or chemical straightening, this can interfere with the bleaching process and result in uneven lightening.

Insufficient timing & overstay of bleach on the scalp

say you need to lift your hair six levels to get to your target color, and you use a 30-volume developer; as I stated earlier, 30-volume lifts 3 to 4 levels.

This means you need to apply bleach twice. The first time, let it sit for 30 minutes, rinse it off, and check if a second application is required, depending on your goal.

It is a waste of time to allow the bleach to stay more than 30 minutes for each session because if the bleach dries, it stops working automatically. 

Even for the first 30 minutes, check every 10 minutes to see if it has lifted to the target color or it has dried. If so, spray a bit of water on it so it continues working. 

If you use a plastic bag or shower cap to cover your hair during the process, you need to check at intervals because it lifts faster due to the heat trap inside the hair.

For the second 30 minutes, you have to pay extra attention; remember, 30 volume lifts 3-4 levels. 

Consequently, the first time it lifts 4 levels, and your hair requires 6 levels, then you just need it to lift two levels more, and voila, you have your desired color.

Most times, a 2-time application is essentially for virgin hair (first time), not necessarily for already colored or brown hair because it doesn’t have a lot of underlying pigment.

The more white your hair is, the less pigments you have in it, the less protein you have, and also the less moisture, which calls for precautions.

Bleaching takes time. If you don’t have time, don’t bother bleaching your hair because it involves chemicals.

Improper application: until your hair length gets to the right color that you want, don’t color your roots or regrowth. 

It doesn’t matter that your regrowth is darker than the length; in hair bleaching, bleaching the regrowth before the length is improper. 

When bleaching your whole hair, the length is often the main focus. 

That’s if you want to color your full hair except you only want to color the root, then you have no business coloring the length.

Don’t apply bleach on wet hair; use it on dry hair. The more wet your hair is, the more the product will be diluted in your hair, which translates to a patchy result.

Uneven bleached hair can often be attributed to taking large hair sections during the bleaching process. 

When you section large sections of hair, the product tends to concentrate on the outer areas, leaving the middle of the sections with insufficient coverage. 

Consequently, you might end up with a patchy appearance, as there’s not enough bleach in the middle to achieve consistent lightening. 

Take fine section instead with a thick product and apply using your brush so you get an even result.

Can I bleach my hair again if it doesn’t lighten?

Yes! You can bleach your hair again if it doesn’t lighten to your desired level. However, it’s important to approach this carefully to avoid damaging your hair. 

Here are some things to consider:

• I strongly advise you to visit a professional stylist when bleaching your hair for the first time. 

Bleaching is a chemical process, so going to a professional to bleach your hair offers you the opportunity to have in-depth knowledge about the process. 

Also, it helps you know if your hair is in perfect condition for the bleaching process. 

So, even if you decide to bleach your hair at home next time, you’re doing it the right way because you understand what it entails.

• Ensure that you deep condition your hair before reapplying bleach to provide nutrients and increase hair health.

• If you’re bleaching already bleached hair, only apply it to specific areas that need it, and be cautious not to over-process.

If you go too far, you will damage your hair unnecessarily. And your toner, the color that you put after your bleach, will not last long.

If you’re not confident in doing it yourself, it’s best to consult with a hair care professional.

How long should bleach sit on hair?

The duration for which bleach should sit on hair can vary depending on several factors, including your hair’s current color, texture, and your goal. 

However, it is advisable to follow the instructions and usage time indicated by the product manufacturer.

Here are some general guidelines:

Blonde hair: 15 to 20 minutes.

Dark hair: Up to 30; it’s recommended to split the process into several sessions for safety.

Fine hair: 10 to 15 minutes; fine hair processes faster due to a thinner cuticle layer.

Coarse hair: 30 minutes; coarse hair may require a minimum of two applications due to its challenging nature.

It’s crucial to always monitor the process, as leaving bleach on for too long causes serious damage, including brittle strands.

Why is my hair not blonde after bleaching?

If your hair is not achieving the desired blonde shade after bleaching, there could be several reasons why this is happening. Here are some common factors to consider:

There could be several reasons why your hair isn’t blonde after bleaching:

Hair’s Natural Color: Darker hair has more pigment, and multiple bleaching sessions are required to achieve a blonde shade.

Bleach Strength: The volume of developer used with the bleach affects its lightning power. A higher volume is needed for darker hair.

Processing Time: Not leaving the bleach on long enough results in a less blonde outcome.

Underlying Pigments: Natural hair color has underlying pigments that show through, especially if the hair isn’t lightened enough to reach a true blonde before applying a toner.

Should you bleach dirty hair?

No! You can’t bleach on dirty hair because dirt blocks the inflow of hair to your scalp, and depending on what part of your hair you are trying to bleach, that is going to be a problem.

How do you fix failed bleaching?

I’ve always been a fan of going to the salon or having an experienced professional bleach my hair.

Fixing a failed bleaching attempt can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. One sure way to fix a failed bleach is to go to a professional salon. 

Bleaching your hair is no joke, particularly because it involves the use of chemicals, and one wrong move throws everything into jeopardy: your product, time, and hair.

Visiting a professional colorist is an amazing way of remedying the situation quickly without further hair damage.

However, maybe you did it at home, or a non-professional did it for you. 

It ended up being a failed attempt, and you are unable to visit the salon the same day due to late bookings, proximity, etc. 

Here are some things to try before a visit to the salon for proper assessment. 

Deep Conditioning Treatment: Start by giving your hair some much-needed moisture and nourishment with a deep conditioning treatment. 

Choose a hydrating hair mask or treatment specifically designed to repair and restore damaged hair. 

Leave the treatment on for the recommended amount of time to allow the ingredients to penetrate the hair shaft to replenish lost moisture.

Trim or Cut Damaged Ends: If your hair has suffered significant damage, particularly in the form of split ends or breakage, consider trimming or cutting off the damaged ends to promote healthier growth.

To combat the weakening effects of bleaching, consider incorporating protein treatments into your hair care routine. 

Protein treatments, enriched with ingredients like keratin or amino acids, help strengthen and restore the hair’s structure, making it more resilient and robust. 

Look for protein-rich treatments or masks that can rebuild the hair’s integrity and improve its overall health.

Avoid Heat Styling: Give your hair a break from heat-styling tools like blow dryers, straighteners, and curling irons. 

Heat styling further damages bleached hair, leading to increased dryness and breakage. 

Instead, opt for air-drying or heat-free styling methods to minimize stress on your hair.

Opt for Gentle Hair Care Products: Choose gentle, sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners formulated for damaged or color-treated hair. 

Consider a Color Correction: If your hair has unwanted tones or uneven color after bleaching, you may need to undergo a color correction process to fix the issue. 

Lastly, Be patient and give your hair time to recover from the bleaching process. 

Avoid overloading it with too many treatments or harsh chemicals, and focus on gentle care and maintenance to promote healthy hair growth.

How can I make my hair bleach work better?

1. Prepare Your Hair: Before bleaching, ensure that your hair is in good condition and free from product buildup or excess oils. 

Consider clarifying your hair with a clarifying shampoo to remove any impurities and residues that may interfere with the bleaching process.

2. Section Your Hair: Divide your hair into small, manageable sections using sectioning clips or hair ties. 

This will ensure that the bleach is applied evenly and thoroughly to all parts of your hair, resulting in consistent lightening.

3. Mix the Bleach Properly: this can’t be overemphasized. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully when mixing the bleach powder and developer. 

Use a non-metallic bowl and applicator brush to mix the ingredients to ensure a smooth and uniform consistency.

4. Use the Right Developer Volume: Choose the appropriate volume of developer based on your hair’s starting color, texture, and condition. 

Lower volume developers (e.g., 10 or 20 volume) are suitable for lightening natural hair or delicate hair types. 

In comparison, higher volume developers (e.g., 30 or 40 volume) are more effective for lifting darker or resistant hair colors.

5. Apply the Bleach Evenly: Use an applicator brush to apply the bleach mixture evenly to each section of hair. Always start from the back; the front scalp bleaches faster than the back.

6. Monitor the Processing Time: Keep a close eye on your hair during the bleaching process to avoid over-processing or damage. 

Check the color and texture of your hair regularly and rinse out the bleach as soon as it reaches the desired level of lightness.

 As much as you can, stay at the same temperature and don’t go outside. Also, use warm water to wash your hair, not cold or hot, to avoid scalp reactions.

7. Follow Up with Toning (if needed): If your hair has unwanted brassy or yellow tones after bleaching, consider using a toner to neutralize the color and achieve your desired shade of blonde. 

Choose a toner with the appropriate undertone (e.g., ash or violet) to counteract unwanted hues and create a more balanced color result.

Conclusion

Bleaching hair is a chemical process that requires healthy hair, the right products, and proper technique. 

If your hair isn’t bleaching, it could be due to its condition, the products you’re using, or how you’re applying them. 

It’s essential to know that a toner can’t fix the orange pigment. It’s toning your level. 

For example, if you want a grey color, you cannot have any yellow or orange in your hair anymore; the more yellow you have in your hair, the less grey the toner will be.

Preferably, go to a professional colorist or salon for hair bleach.