If you want to lighten your hair several shades, bleaching is most likely the way to go. But how much does it really cost to bleach your hair? Here’s everything you need to know.
How Much Should You Spend On Bleach?
How much you decide to spend on bleach depends on your budget, your hair expectations, the type of hair you have, and the length.
All of these things should be taken into consideration before you spend any money on bleach.
Generally, the more you pay, the better the results will be.
This is because achieving a blonde shade takes time and it can take multiple sessions to get an even, natural tone.
If you have very dark hair, getting it bleached at a salon might be a better option.
How Much Does It Cost to Bleach Hair at a Salon?
Getting your hair bleached at the salon is the most expensive route but you can expect amazing results.
Since you are using chemicals on your hair, it’s much safer to put your hair in the hands of professionals. Just make sure that you research the salon beforehand and read any reviews online to ensure you are getting a great service.
The cost of bleaching your hair at a salon typically starts at $150 and can go up to $200 and above. The cost takes into account the length of your hair, the hair color you have to begin with, and the desired shade.
For instance, if you have short, medium-brown hair and you are looking for a honey blonde shade, it should only take 1 session to achieve this.
And as the hair is short, the process will be much quicker, and this will be reflected in the overall cost.
However, if you have dark brown to black hair, and you are looking for a light blonde shade, this could take 2 sessions or more.
The price will increase because more time is needed and more products will be used throughout the treatment.
Also Read: How Soon Can I Bleach My Hair Again? Answered
Benefits Of Bleaching At A Salon
Bleaching your hair at a salon presents fewer risks and it’s generally safer because you’re in the care of professionals who know exactly how to carry out the procedure. Here are the main benefits.
Less Risk Of Hair Damage
Bleaching your hair at home is difficult for most people, especially if you don’t have any previous experience.
It’s common for people to bleach their hair 2 – 3 times in one day just to reach their desired results, but this significantly increases your risk of damaging your hair.
And hair damage that’s caused by bleach typically takes a longer time to recover from.
No Splotches Or Uneven Color
When bleaching at home, you might find it difficult to reach the back of your head or cover your entire roots.
You’ll need to rely on a mirror or the help of a friend, which isn’t always the most reliable method.
Whereas a hairdresser knows how to achieve full coverage, leaving you with an even, natural tone throughout that looks neither splotchy or patchy. There’s more guarantee that you’ll leave the salon feeling satisfied.
You Will Usually Get The Best Results
Most of the time, getting your hair professionally bleached gives you better results.
This is due to many factors; the hairdresser’s experience, high-quality products, and extensive knowledge.
If you’re not happy with the immediate color, they will work with you to find your desired shade.
This could mean making another appointment at a later date. But rest assured, the final results will be worth it.
How Long Does Bleaching Your Hair at a Salon Take?
The time it takes to bleach your hair depends on the length, your current hair color, and the shade you’re looking for.
For the first session, you can typically expect to spend 2 to 3 hours in the salon.
However, many people with darker hair will require more than 1 session, so this could take the total time up to 10 hours or more.
This might also be necessary for people with damaged or brittle hair, as the most important thing is that the hair remains strong and healthy throughout.
How Much Does It Cost to Bleach Your Hair at Home?
Bleaching your hair at home is only a fraction of the price of bleaching it at a salon.
There are many bleaching kits available online and in stores, these will include gloves, a mixing bowl, dye brush, bleach powder, and developer.
You will most likely need to buy a toner separately. The total cost will be around $40, but this is dependent on the length of the hair and the desired shade you’re looking for.
Some people with very dark or long hair will probably need more than one box. This can take the total cost up a little bit, but it’s still very affordable for most people.
Also Read: How To Dye Brown Hair Blonde Without Bleach (Easy Guide)
Things You Should Buy to Bleach Your Hair
If you choose a bleaching kit, make sure you read the reviews online and opt for one with high-quality products.
The cheapest kits are unlikely to give you the best results, so look for a kit that is rated highly and includes most of the products you need.
This makes it easier for you and ensures that you don’t forget anything.
Here’s what you need:
- Bleach powder
- Developer
- Toner
- Gloves
- Mixing bowl
- Hair dye brush
- Hair dye (optional)
The instructions on each box will vary, but here’s a helpful guide on how to bleach your hair at home.
Always Do A Strand Test First
Before you begin bleaching your hair at home, it’s important to do a strand test first. This will give you an indication if your hair is suitable for bleaching.
- Mix a small amount of bleach powder and developer together and apply it to a dry strand of hair.
- Check after 20 minutes to see if it’s reached the desired shade. If not, you can leave it on for a further 10 minutes.
- Once that time has passed, wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner and leave it to dry.
- Wait at least 24 hours before bleaching the rest of your hair.
If you have any kind of reaction, discontinue use and seek advice from a hair professional.
Mix Bleach And developer
- Firstly, put your gloves on and get your mixing bowl ready.
- Then you’ll need to empty the bleach powder into the bowl and mix it with enough developer to form a creamy texture.
The developer ranges from 10 to 40. If you have dark hair, you will have to use a 30 or 40 developer to get it much lighter.
If you already have lighter hair, to begin with, a 10 developer should be enough.
Apply All Over
Assuming you were happy with your initial strand test, you can now apply the mixture all over your hair.
- As the roots process the fastest, you should leave this until the last step.
- Begin by applying it to the lengths of the hair. You will need a hand-held mirror to see the back of the hair.
- Once the lengths of the hair are done, you can move on to the roots.
- With your hair dye brush, you’ll need to part each section, apply the bleach quickly to that area, then move on to another section.
You have to work quickly to ensure you get even results and minimize the amount of damage to the hair.
Wash Out And Use Toner
Wash your hair out thoroughly with shampoo and conditioner until the water runs clear. To get an even natural shade you’ll need a toner to eliminate brassy or orange hues.
Many people get the best results from mixing the toner with a 20 developer and water.
- Apply to the roots first then work it through the rest of the hair.
- You can leave it on for 5 – 15 minutes then wash it out again with shampoo and conditioner.
If you don’t get the exact shade you wanted and you want to tone or use a hair dye again, try to refrain from doing this for at least a week or two because this can damage the hair.
Your hair needs to rest in between treatments in order to recover and remain as healthy as possible.
How Much Does It Cost to Maintain Your Blonde Hair?
Blonde hair is high maintenance as it needs to be cared for using the right products and frequently touched up.
If you want to maintain your current shade, you’ll need to use shampoo and conditioner specially formulated for blonde hair, such as purple shampoo, which prevents yellow and orange hues.
Your roots will come through quite quickly, so ideally, you’ll need to get them touched up every 2 to 4 weeks.
You can do this at home or at a salon, but keep in mind that it can be very expensive to have regular trips to the hair salon.
Another thing to keep in mind is that bleached hair is susceptible to damage.
Bleach dries out the hair and can make it very fragile, so you’ll need to compensate for that by applying protein masks and deep conditioning treatments regularly.
If you want to minimize damage and reduce salon trips, you can opt for a lower maintenance hairstyle, such as a balayage, ombre, or highlights.
Is the Price the Same for Men?
Depending on the salon, it could be slightly cheaper for a man to get his hair bleached.
The price can range from $60 to $200 or more, which takes into account the thickness and length, the current hair color, and the desired shade.
If a man simply wanted a few highlights, this would be much more affordable, as it doesn’t take up as much time.
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