Does bleached hair get lighter or darker?

Author: Verla Barton II  |  Last update: Friday, July 4, 2025

After the first bleaching stage, your hair will begin to lighten from reddish tones to yellow. If you are beginning with hair colour levels (4-6) you may notice the transition to this stage quicker than if you have darker hair.

Does bleached hair get lighter or darker over time?

The only way bleached hair is getting ``darker'' is if it's picking up pigments from somewhere else, like if you use hair products that are colored. Bleach does not fade like dye, there's nothing TO fade, bleached hair has had it's pigment removed.

What color does bleached hair fade to?

Bleached hair doesn't fade back to your natural hair colour in the same way that other dyes will. However, it can become darker or duller over time if the toner washes out, leading to yellow pigments becoming visible again.

Does bleached hair ever go back to normal color?

When hair is bleached, the natural pigment (melanin) is removed, which can result in a lighter or even yellowish tone. The hair itself won't regain its original color once it has been bleached. However, over time, new hair growth will come in with its natural color, while the bleached hair will remain lighter.

Does your hair get lighter the longer you leave bleach in?

Of course, your hair color goals play a role in how long you should leave bleach on your hair. The longer you leave it on, the more your natural hair color will lift, and the lighter your strands will become.

Hairdresser reacts to people bleaching their hair 4 TIMES IN A ROW

Do highlights get lighter after a few washes?

Do Highlights Get Lighter After a Few Washes? In some cases, highlights can get lighter after a few washes and fade over time.

Is it better to bleach dirty hair?

Keep in mind that color-wise, the end result will usually be the same whether you're going to the salon with freshly washed or dirty hair. Allowing oil to accumulate before bleaching your strands is solely to nourish your scalp and should have no impact on your desired color.

What color cancels out bleached hair?

Blue and purple shampoos neutralise unwanted brassy tones to reveal a cooler blonde or light brown shade.

Can I put brown box dye over bleached hair?

Yes, but if you dying it more than 2 levels darker you may need to use a filler. Filler is a color that replaces the underlying pigment in the hair.

Does bleached hair get lighter in the sun?

So does bleached hair get lighter in the sun? Not exactly. Bleached hair doesn't fade in the same way, instead it gets dull, discolored and brassy. This includes sun bleached brown hair and other shades that have been bleached.

What are the 7 stages of bleaching hair?

What Are the Different Hair Levels?
  • Level 1: Black.
  • Level 2: Darkest Brown.
  • Level 3: Dark Brown.
  • Level 4: Medium Brown.
  • Level 5: Light Brown.
  • Level 6: Dark Blonde.
  • Level 7: Medium Blonde.
  • Level 8: Blonde.

Can I put dark blonde on bleached hair?

Pre-pigment first. If you want to dye your bleached hair considerably darker, such as to dark blonde (colour level 7) or darker, pre-pigment your hair first. This is because the red pigments have been permanently removed by bleaching. You need enough warm pigment in your hair to achieve a beautiful darker colour.

What happens if you use purple shampoo after bleaching?

Hair stylists often tone bleached or blonde hair to neutralize brassy yellow and orange tones on bleached hair with a purple color. Purple shampoo is a great at-home solution for toning hair and preventing brassiness.

What is the least damaging way to lighten your hair?

Natural bleaching agents like apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, chamomile tea, or cinnamon and honey can lighten hair gently and naturally with minimal damage.

Do you rinse bleach with cold water hair?

Discover why cold water is a big no-no when it comes to rinsing your scalp bleaches. Learn how warm water helps open the cuticle for better penetration of toner, resulting in a more predictable and long-lasting blonde look.

What is level 7 hair?

The level system is made up of 10 numbers which help determine the depth level of your natural hair. 1 is black, 5 is light brown, 6 is dark blonde, 7 is blonde and 10 is the lightest blonde.

What happens when you dye bleached hair dark brown?

The good news is that yes, you can dye your hair dark brown after bleaching it, but you'll need to be extra careful to avoid damaging your hair further. First, make sure that your hair is healthy and not fried from the bleaching process.

Will my hair go green if I dye it from blonde to brown?

In many cases, your light blonde hair may turn unnaturally gray, or even green, if you try to put brown dye on it. This is especially true if you are going more than two shades darker.

What colors can you put over bleached hair?

Your hair is now ready to take on color, and will often take color much more quickly and deeply than if you hadn't bleached your hair. You might choose to dye your hair a natural color, such as shades of brown, black, red or blond. You might also choose a color like cherry red, blue, purple, pink, and so on.

What hair should not be bleached?

Tip 5: Know When You Bleach Your Hair

This is one of the most important hair care tips because hair that is brittle, dry or breaking, should not be bleached.

How to fix a bad bleach job?

However, dyeing your hair a darker colour is the fastest way to resolve badly bleached hair. This is an especially good option if your hair was dark to begin with and the bleach has turned it orange, yellow or green!

What color to put over orange bleached hair without bleach?

Try imagining a straight diagonal line from your current color to the other end of the wheel to figure out what color toner to use. If your lousy bleach job has come out more yellow, you'll need a purple toner. Purple shampoo can help neutralize the yellow. If your hair is orange, you'll need a blue toner.

Should I bleach my hair wet or dry?

Bleaching wet hair creates a diffused, soft effect, and the resulting color covers a larger surface area. Whereas, bleaching dry hair allows you to achieve more targeted results.

Do hairdressers prefer clean or greasy hair?

While some hair types may hold better the second or third day of washing, in most cases it's best to visit the salon with clean, dry hair. Despite what you may have heard before proms and formal dances back in the day, it's actually preferable to work with hair that is free of oil and buildup.

Why do salons wash your hair after coloring?

Post-color washing is essential for maintaining the structural integrity of your hair. By cleansing and conditioning, salons help in closing the hair cuticles, locking in moisture, and preserving the smoothness of your locks.

Previous article
What is a good weight for machine press?
Next article
How to make hydroquinone more effective?