Lightening your hair with hydrogen peroxide can damage the cuticle, because the hydrogen peroxide needs to enter through your hair cuticle to dye the hair. Cuticle damage can lead to breakage, split ends, and frizz.
SCALP BURNS
According to the NCBI, chemical burns can be caused by caustic chemicals, like hydrogen peroxide. The study states that a caustic reaction can result in irritant dermatitis, superficial chemical burns, and deep burns depending on how the ingredients are used and in what quantities.
You can leave it in for up to 30 minutes if desired, but rinse it out with cold water when it reaches your desired color. Make sure to pay attention to how much time it takes to reach the desired color and use this time to help you determine how long to leave the peroxide on the rest of your hair.
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) suppresses hair growth through downregulation of β-catenin. J Dermatol Sci.
Peroxide can weaken the bonds of your hair, cause loss of moisture, and damage the cuticle. If you already have hair that is slightly damaged or dry, applying peroxide may make things even worse for the health of your hair.
Bleaching products contain harsh chemicals, such as hydrogen peroxide, persulfates, and alkalizing agents. Because of this, it's possible for bleaching to cause chemical burns on your scalp. These burns can often be superficial, meaning that they're located close to the surface of the skin.
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) suppresses hair growth through downregulation of β-catenin.
Natural bleaching agents like apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, chamomile tea, or cinnamon and honey can lighten hair gently and naturally with minimal damage. Rinse your hair in a solution of warm water and one or more of these lightening agents, then sit in the sun to dry.
Hydrogen peroxide attacks the enzyme tyrosinase by oxidizing an amino acid, methionine, at the active site. As a consequence, this key enzyme, which normally starts the synthesizing pathway of the coloring pigment melanin, does not function anymore.
Squirt a quarter-sized amount of catalase shampoo into your hands. Catalase may remove hydrogen peroxide from hair, so you can try a shampoo with this ingredient and see if it helps minimize your gray. You don't need a ton of catalase shampoo to saturate your hair, so start with a little bit at first.
It's been known for years that hair turns gray due to a natural buildup of hydrogen peroxide in hair follicles, which causes oxidative stress and graying. (Hydrogen peroxide solutions have been used for years as a cheap and easy way to "go blonde.")
To try out this method while mitigating the risk of damage, combine one cup of baking soda with no more than three tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide. Mix it up and apply the paste to your hair, letting the mask sit 30 minutes for lighter hair and 45 minutes for darker.
How long does it take for hydrogen peroxide to lighten hair? Leave the hydrogen peroxide in your hair for about 30 minutes. Depending on how dark your hair is, how light you want it, and how much irritation the chemical may cause, you'll want to experiment and play around with it.
Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda can lighten your hair 1-2 shades in 1 treatment. When used in small amounts, 3% hydrogen peroxide and baking soda shouldn't damage your hair. However, your hair may show signs of damage if it's already been dyed or treated with chemicals, or if your hair is naturally dry.
Researchers examined cell cultures of human hair follicles, and found that the build-up of hydrogen peroxide was caused by a decrease in an enzyme responsible for breaking up hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen.