Why are my roots lighter than the rest of my hair after bleaching?

Author: Dexter Olson  |  Last update: Saturday, October 4, 2025

Many people don't realize that their scalp generates heat. This means that the heat of your scalp can activate the lightener (bleach) and cause it to lift faster at the roots than lightener on the rest of your hair.

How to fix lighter roots after bleaching?

  • Demi-Permanent Color: Use a demi-permanent hair color that is one or two shades darker than your roots. This will help blend the roots with the rest of your hair without causing too much damage.
  • Toner: If the issue is more about tone (e.g., too brassy or too yellow), consider a toner that suits your desired color.

What do I do if my roots are lighter than the rest of my hair?

As for those lighter roots? A root touch-up kit (you can use one with permanent color—or temporary dye) will help deepen the shade until it's time to color again in six or so weeks.

Do roots lighten faster than ends?

The roots always process quicker than the ends do, as the heat from the scalp causes a reaction with the developer in lightener that will make it develop much more quickly than the ends of your hair.

Should root touch up be lighter or darker?

For new hair regrowths, it is better to touch up the roots. Because if you colour through from roots to ends, the hair becomes successively darker, with the ends being darkest. If you have never coloured before, colour from roots to ends long as selected shades are not 2 shades lighter than your natural shades.

Hot Roots Part 2, Another Cause And What To Do About Them...

How do you make light roots darker?

Darkening Your Roots without Dye
  1. Use a dark-colored root touch-up pen, powder or wand. You can find these products online and in well-stocked salons and beauty-supply stores. ...
  2. Try makeup in a pinch. ...
  3. Use a spray-on hair color. ...
  4. Use a root-coloring kit.

Why do my roots still look dark after highlights?

If you don't lift the color enough you'll be left with dark roots after a highlight appointment. If you lift the roots too far you could have the opposite (although equally unattractive problem of roots that are brighter than the ends. )

Should you touch up highlights or roots first?

Apply color to your roots first. Hair that's been previously colored is porous and soaks up color easily, but new growth requires more processing time. Leave color on your roots for the full time and only process ends for half the required time. It'll give you a nice even color from root to tip.

How much root to leave when bleaching?

"For the first step, the colourist needs to bleach the mid-section of the hair - this is the section closest to the start of your already-bleached section - but must leave the top 1-2 centimetres closest to your scalp (that section is step two)."

How to avoid hot roots with box dye?

So only apply the permanent color to your roots for the correct processing time—usually 35 minutes, or 45 minutes for stubborn gray hair. And apply gloss to the rest of your hair. The result? No hot roots, and your hair color won't turn out too dark!

Why won't my hair take color after bleaching?

When you bleach your hair you strip it of its natural pigments, which means it won't react to dye in the same way. Dye can come out darker than you would assume and you may need to use a protein filler. Speak to your stylist and be sure you're choosing the right colour and products for you.

Why is toner not working on my roots?

And secondly, as a blonde, your previously bleached lengths (even those close to your roots) are likely quite porous. This means they will soak the toner up quicker. Your roots, on the other hand, will be much less porous and therefore will not soak up as much of the toner.

Can I dye my hair again if I missed spots?

You Missed a Spot

For a more permanent solution, try applying the hair dye to the exact area you missed before. Make sure to position a mirror in the right spot so you can see it clearly. Or, turn to a professional hair colorist who will be able to seamlessly fill in any gaps in your hair color without overlap.

Why is my bleached hair getting lighter?

The longer the bleach is left on your hair, the more pigment is dissolved, and the lighter your hair will become.

What cancels out bleached hair?

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. Try a blue shampoo to tone the brassiness and get rid of the orange.

Why did my hair dye lighten my roots?

Why does this happen? The lighter, warmer result at the roots which characterises hot roots can be seen; If you use a colour which is lighter than any older, darker pre-existing color on your mid-lengths or ends. This can lead to a lighter color result at your roots than the rest of the hair.

How to tone roots after bleaching?

Loosely section your hair into four quarters. Use the toner bottle to apply the mixture to your roots at the front, then the back of your head. Use the nozzle to slice through the quarters and apply more toner to the roots through your whole head.

What do hot roots look like?

Hot roots – orange or yellow tones right around your scalp that are lighter than the rest of your hair – are the worst of the worst. Beyond not looking great, they can be difficult to fix. Unfortunately, hot roots are a common result for most people when lightening their hair for the first time.

Is it better to go lighter or darker to cover gray hair?

Pick a lighter hair colour

A lighter colour will then look better. Your hair follicles produce less pigment as you're turning older. If there's no more pigment being produced in the hair follicles, your hair turns pigmentless.

What is a root melt?

Root melting creates depth and dimension within your color, creating a 'lived in' look. This look is low maintenance as it lets you embrace your roots and natural color while also having the lightness and brightness of highlights or balayage lower down. A root melt is for clients who love a deep-rooted look.

Do hairdressers always use toner?

Your hairstylist will determine if a toner is necessary (it isn't always), which type to use, and how it should be applied. Questions? Ask them. Particularly with bleaching services, if you're curious about what is going on with your hair, it's important to ask.

What do bad highlights look like?

Bad highlights are streaks of uneven color, too much brightness, or poor results in the hair. These can be caused by DIY attempts, inexperienced stylists, or a misunderstanding of the desired result. Bad picks can make your hair look unnatural and unflattering.

How much root should show after highlights?

Normally with highlights, the roots should be no more than a quarter of a cm, so if this is not the case with your colour, than this will be the reason for your roots showing after highlights. Another reason for roots showing can be down to the swelling of the bleach and high lift colours.

Previous article
Was Mike Mentzer right about one set?
Next article
What should I layer after glycolic acid?