Can You Bleach Wet Hair? Everything You Need To Know

Can You Bleach Wet Hair?

Yes, you can safely bleach your hair while it's still wet. Many bleaching products are formulated to work efficiently on damp hair, without the need to worry about dilution from water. This approach has gained popularity, especially due to the balayage trend. Not only does bleaching damp hair align with this trend, but it also offers a gentle and scalp-friendly method of color removal. 

It's worth noting that while bleaching wet hair is generally safe and effective, it's essential to follow the instructions provided by the bleaching product you're using. Different products may have specific guidelines for application on damp hair. Additionally, if you have any concerns about the health of your hair or scalp, consulting a professional hairstylist or colorist is recommended.

Benefits Of Bleaching On Wet Hair

Bleaching damp hair is a really effective way to get an outstanding hair color. At the following, we will mention the benefits of this method.

1 - Create A Soft Highlighting Effect

If you asked the expert to make your hair subtly lighter, the expert would more likely use this technique of coloring your hair. Since the bleach gets diluted and spread in water, when you bleach wet hair, it prevents severe transitions between colors. This technique also provides a bit of color change.

2 - Brighten The Ends

The hair coloring experts apply bleach on the hair’s wet ends to give the ends a brighter appeal. After applying, processing, and rinsing your hair, the expert might consider repeating the process of bleaching to get a more enhanced effect.

3 - Achieve A Faster Result

If you informed the expert that you want the coloring treatment too fast, then they may apply color on your wet hair. Bleaching shows quicker results on wet hair. Thus, it is the best technique if you don’t want the bleach to stay on you for a long time.

Is It Difficult To Bleach Wet Hair?

Now you know the benefits of bleaching on wet hair. Applying bleach to wet hair is a convenient option. However, there are some things you should know before applying bleach.

1 - Hair Is Weakest When Wet

When you apply bleach on wet hair, you are more likely to damage your hair. Cuticle gets opened when you put water on your hair. The cuticle is the outer layer that protects the cortex, which provides your hair a natural color. When the cuticle can no longer protect the cortex, the quality of your natural hair likely gets damaged.

2 - Avoid Bleaching Yourself

The experts know the right technique for coloring the hair. If you try bleaching on wet hair by yourself, you might create a mistake and damage your hair. Additionally, the hair coloring kits, you get online, come with strict instruction which needs to be followed. According to the instructions, you should not apply color to wet hair.

3 - Contact A Hair Coloring Expert

Can you bleach wet hair yourself? No, if you want to bleach your hair when it is wet, you should consult a colorist. They know the right technique of coloring hair without causing any damage. For instance, they have experience in putting water in the right quantity to bleach hair.

After the bleaching technique, most experts apply a special conditioner to reduce the chances of hair damage. The colorist is also aware that bleaching wet hair will provide you the desired color or not.

What Happens When You Bleach Wet Hair?

Bleaching gives a different result on wet hair than it does on dry hair.

When bleach is applied to dry hair, it enters the cortex through the cuticle. Then, the bleach decomposes melanin and decreases the hair’s pigment. Finally, you get a gorgeous light hair color. However, your hair becomes weak every time you apply bleach because the proteins, which give structure to your hair, get destroyed in the process. 

When bleach is applied to wet hair, it easily degrades melanin after entering the cortex. Since the bleach gets mixed in water, it doesn’t provide a huge color change. However, you do lighter hair color quickly.

Should You Apply Bleach To Clean And Dry Hair?

No matter what types of bleach you use, it will damage your hair and scalp in some ways. However, you can reduce the damage of bleaching by noticing the following easy tip. You should not wash your hair with shampoo just before coloring it since natural oil is required to protect your scalp while bleaching. The natural oil present in your hair reduces scalp irritation as well as the chances of hair damage. So, you should wash your hair 2-3 days before to remove dust, and sweat from your hair.

Besides, if you contact a hair coloring expert to bleach wet hair, they will probably spray water on strands that need to lighten. Before getting your hair bleached by an expert, it is suggested that you stop washing your hair. The colorist usually informs you to skip washing your hair for 2-3 days.

Tips For Bleaching Wet Hair Without Any Damage

Here is how can you bleach wet hair without causing any damage:

1 - Deep Condition Your Hair

You should deep-condition your hair 2-3 days before bleaching. It's better if you apply deep moisture condition after you wash your hair. This will keep your hair moisturized during the process of bleaching. Thus there will be fewer chances of hair breakage.

2 - Work With Hair Coloring Expert

Many women try to bleach hair at home to save money. However, if you don't have experience in bleaching, you will damage your scalp and the result will not look like you desired. An expert knows the best way to bleach your hair without causing any damage. So, you should pay money for the stylist to have the wonderful hair color without damage.

3 - Limit Your Bleaching Sessions

To get lighter color, you have to bleach 2-3 times if your natural hair tone is dark. Repeat sessions of bleaching make the hair damaged and weak. You should inform the expert that you want the result in a limited number of sessions.

4 - Avoid Heat Treatments

When you apply heat on bleached hair, it can result in scalp burns. Thus, you should avoid damaging your bleached hair by heat styling.

5 - Avoid Sun Exposure

You should either avoid going out under the sun or wear a hat to protect your hair from further damage.

6 - Don’t Go Swimming

Swimming pools contain chlorine which can cause more harm to the bleached hair.

7 - Take Product Recommendation From Your Colorist

You need to give special care to your hair after bleaching treatment. Some products are particularly made for bleached hair.

Conclusion

You should bleach your wet hair if you want a highlighting effect. However, can you bleach wet hair yourself at home? No, you need the help of an expert to bleach wet hair as you can cause damage to your hair. As hair becomes fragile when it gets wet, you need to be more careful while applying bleach. An experienced colorist will likely use the best practices while coloring your hair.

>>> Read more: how to bleach hair safely and tips to hydrate your hair after bleaching <<<