Do you want to lighten up your locks? It can be tempting to just go for it and start bleaching, but is it actually possible – or safe – to bleach wet hair?
We’ve all heard the horror stories about bleaching your hair, and we’ve all asked ourselves “Is it safe to bleach wet hair? Can I do this at home?”
Well, we asked the experts and have come up with the answers! Let’s dive into the world of bleach and find out if you can take a dip.
Whether you’re looking to brighten your blonde, light up your life (and hair!) or are searching for tips or tricks, our guide has got it covered!
Let’s go!
Table of Contents
- Can You Bleach Wet Hair?
- Bleaching Wet or Dry? How to Decide.
- Reasons to bleach wet hair
- Watch And Learn: How To Bleach Wet Hair.
- How long to leave bleach on wet hair?
- Can you bleach wet hair extensions?
- Wet Hair Bleaching Before and After.
- Post-Wash Bleaching: What to Consider
- What is a wet balayage?
- Can I bleach wet hair with just powder?
- Can you bleach roots with wet hair?
- Should you bleach clean or dirty hair?
- Using Toners Post-Bleaching: Do’s and Don’ts
- How to care for bleached hair.
- Parting words
Can You Bleach Wet Hair?
Yes, you can bleach wet hair. Wet hair allows for a more even application and can reduce damage. However, the moisture can act as a barrier, potentially leading to uneven or patchy results.
Bleaching your hair when it’s wet can help even out the color and make sure that all of your strands look uniform. It can also prevent dryness and damage caused by bleaching dry hair — which makes sense, since wet hair is more malleable than dry hair.
But we all know that when wet, hair is at its most vulnerable state and prone to breaking and frazzling and splitting all at once.
Bleaching wet hair will not work as strongly as bleaching dry hair as the moisture in your hair will act as a natural barrier. It could also mean the bleached areas become patchy.
This can make it difficult for a new hair color to take, or to re-dye your hair evenly. And no one wants that!
Really, it all depends on what you are trying to achieve doing it – whether you want to remove some hair dye, go bleach blonde, or get the perfect base for some on-trend colors.
“As the hair is wet, it’s diluting the strength of the peroxide. This means you won’t get the full lifting properties from the bleach. The peroxide is the liquid that u mix with the bleach powder to activate it, this is what the water dilutes.”
Niki Bechus, Self-Employed Hair Stylist
Bleaching Wet or Dry? How to Decide.
When deciding whether to bleach your hair wet or dry, consider the level of lift you’re aiming for.
For a significant lift, such as multiple shades lighter, it’s recommended to bleach on dry hair. Dry hair allows for a stronger and more intense bleaching effect, making it ideal for achieving dramatic changes.
On the other hand, if you’re aiming for a subtle lift or just a slight shade change, wet hair bleaching can do the trick with less damage. However, always remember that bleach acts faster on wet hair.
If you just want to correct your color or to get a neutral base, a bleach bath or wash might be the right choice for you. It’s involved mixing shampoo in with the bleach to make it even gentler on your hair.
If you’re uncertain about the outcome, always start by testing a small section of hair. This way, you can gauge the bleach’s effect and have better control over the final shade.
“If you are going for all over lift, and removing more than 4 levels, apply dry. If you are going fit a balayage look, then Some people do apply to damp hair, as they feel they get better “blends” but it can be applied dry as well.”
Jennifer Gervais, Cosmetology Instructor
Reasons to bleach wet hair
- For a subtle lift
- To remove colour build up
- To lighten hair ends
- To brighten blonde
- To go one or two levels lighter
- To do a bleach bath
Watch And Learn: How To Bleach Wet Hair.
Here’s a great video tutorial that guides you through how to bleach wet hair safely (and why) step by step.
How long to leave bleach on wet hair?
If you’re just going for a clean blonde base, leave the bleach in for about 15 minutes.
However, if you’re looking at a platinum shade or going lighter than your current hair color, we would recommend leaving the bleach in up to 30 mins.
You may need to leave the bleach in for longer or repeat the bleaching process if you are trying to lighten dark hair.
Keep in mind that the longer you leave the bleach in, the more likely the bleach will damage your hair as it will break down and wear away at your strands – bleaching can be very damaging!
Can you bleach wet hair extensions?
Natural hair extensions
YES! Of course you can.
The same rules apply s real hair – it’s really about what you’re trying to achieve.
If you want to remove some colour, go for a bleach bath or wash.
If you are looking at lightening or lifting the colour, then follow the recommendations stated under ‘How long to leave bleach on wet hair’.
Synthetic hair extensions
NO! You can’t.
The bleach won’t stick to or penetrate the synthetic hair fibres so bleaching them won’t work and could end up ruining your extensions.
It’s far better to just buy a new set in the colour you want!
Wet Hair Bleaching Before and After.
Post-Wash Bleaching: What to Consider
There’s an old wives tale that says you should bleach your hair when it’s dirty to stop it from damaging your hair. That’s not really the case.
You need clean hair to help the bleach penetrate your hair shafts evenly.
Remember, you are bleaching your hair so the less product build up, the better!
If you have to wash your hair before you bleach it, keep in mind that washing your hair will remove some of the natural oils in your hair which can help protect your scalp while being bleached.
You might need to use a toning shampoo or an intensive reconstructor to try and restore some of that lost moisture after washing.
Additionally, it is best to have dry hair when doing any chemical treatments like dyeing or bleaching.
If you’re looking at lightening your natural color (and not removing any unwanted tones), then wait for about 24 hours after washing your hair before starting with the bleach process.
You also don’t want to bleach your hair too often to avoid damage.
On another note: Bleaching your hair after washing might not be a bad idea if you’re trying to remove old extensions and restore your natural hair – it could work for this.
What is a wet balayage?
A wet balayage is a hair painting technique which creates the look of graduated highlights from root to tip.
It’s done on wet blonde or light brown hair that doesn’t need as much lift and is great for brightening blonde or lifting colour one or two levels.
This technique is usually done in sections, then wrapped with cling film while the hair sets. The result is a lighter base with natural looking sun kissed highlights that fade into the root.
To get these sorts of results on your own hair, mix up some highlighting powder in developer and apply it to small sections of your hair, leaving it for about 10 minutes or so.
Wash out using cool water – this will seal all of the highlighted strands together.
From there you can apply whatever toning shampoo or toner you want to use to achieve the best possible tone for your blonde!
Can I bleach wet hair with just powder?
This is where we deviate from the regular answer! NO!
Bleach powders needs to be mixed with developer to work. Together they are the best way to strip pigment from your strands quickly and effectively.
You can also use a cream or lotion-based bleaching agent or hair bleach kit where the formula and ingredients will come ready-made.
Powdered bleach mixed with developer in varying amounts is much more effective at lifting colour faster, leaving you with better results.
As long as you know what you’re doing!
Can you bleach roots with wet hair?
YES! If you are looking to lighten your roots or add a touch of blonde to the ends of your hair, follow the instructions for ‘Bleaching wet hair’ but reduce the processing time down to about 10-15 minutes.
Remember, the less time you leave the bleach on your hair, the more gentle it will be.
Should you bleach clean or dirty hair?
Clean hair is best as it will make sure there are no barriers to the chemicals getting to work on your hair pigmentation.
As we mentioned, hair is very fragile and needs special attention to make your poor strands don’t snap off in the bleach bowl.
If you try to lift colour out of your hair when it’s dirty, the grease and grime will slow down the bleaching process and weaken its effect.
It could turn patchy or uneven, especially if the dye has been sitting on your strands for a while.
Bleach can also remove any natural oils we put into our hair – conditioner included! This could mean that when you go rinse out that bleach – it may strip all of that beautiful silky softness from your locks and leave it feeling dry.
Make sure you use a good deep conditioner after all the processing is done to restore moisture and elasticity to your hair.
Using Toners Post-Bleaching: Do’s and Don’ts
After bleaching, toners can be your best friend to refine and enhance the shade of your hair. It’s an opportunity to personalize your hue and counteract any unwanted brassiness.
Do’s:
- Prepare Properly: If you’re using a bleach powder to lift color from your strands, always mix it with the recommended developer before applying.
- Monitor Application Time: Leave the toner on your hair for about 25-30 minutes, but always keep an eye on the color transformation to get your desired result.
- Choose the Right Method: You can either incorporate the toner with your developer during the bleaching process or apply it as a separate step afterward in the form of a semi-permanent dye.
- Combat Brassiness: Use purple shampoos regularly if you notice warm yellow or orange undertones after bleaching. They’ll help neutralize these brassy tones.
- Experiment: Toners allow you to try various shades and undertones, giving you a chance to refine and perfect the final color of your bleached hair.
Don’ts:
- Rush the Process: Don’t leave the toner in for longer than recommended in hopes of a deeper color. This can damage your hair or lead to an undesired shade.
- Skip Patch Testing: Especially if it’s your first time using a specific toner, don’t skip a patch test to ensure you don’t have an allergic reaction.
- Overuse Purple Shampoo: While it’s great for combating brassiness, using it too often can overly cool the hair, leading to a more silvery or purple tint than desired.
- Neglect Aftercare: After toning, don’t forget to hydrate and nourish your hair. Bleaching and toning can be taxing on your strands, so make sure to use a deep conditioner or hair mask regularly.
How to care for bleached hair.
If you’ve recently had your hair bleached and are looking for the softest, silkiest blonde mane around, let us tell you that it is totally achievable!
The secret? Choosing a shampoo and conditioner specifically designed for bleached hair.
These products deeply nourish strands so you won’t need to worry about your color fading or the dreaded straw-like texture.
Plus, there are some simple tips and tricks – such as using a deep hydrating mask regularly, avoiding heated styling tools and using a heat protectant spray before blow drying or ironing – that can help make sure your freshly bleached ‘do looks great for weeks!
Parting words
So yes, you can bleach wet hair, but it really comes down to what look you’re going for, whether you should really do it.
There are many factors that come into play when it comes to bleaching.
One of them is the type of hair you have, the colour of your hair and how much time has passed since the last time you bleached it.
If you’re still unsure after reading our article, it’s best to pop into your local hair salon and have a chat with your hair stylist. They’ll be able to assess your hair condition and what would be best for your hair.
Good luck!
