by LilMissy

Created on: February 22, 2007   Last Updated: April 17, 2007

Bleach is can really damage your hair. If it is not taken care of while having bleached hair, your hair will become really dry and brittle and will end up breaking. It also damages the follicle and can have a very bad effect on a new growth of hair.
If you decide you want to lighten your hair, then listen to professionals and take their advise as it could prevent you having a horrible texture and look of your hair.

Bleach is mixed with hydrogen peroxide, this opens the cuticle and allows bleach to enter the cortex were oxygen is released from the peroxide.
Also if you have your hair bleached by professionals it can not damage your hair as much. The damage starts to begin when you constantly bleach your hair.
Peroxide comes in different strengths
3% (10 vol)
6% (20 vol)
9% (30 vol)
12% (40 vol)
18% (60 vol) this peroxide is illegal in some places and it is rare.
Each strength of peroxide will have a different impact on your hair, a weaker strength will be best for the hair but a stronger one will damage the hair a lot faster and a lot more.
Before applying bleach it is best to do samples of your hair so you at least know how your hair will react to the bleach. There are two tests you can do to check the texture of the hair and the condition of it, these are:
Porosity-which is were you take a few strands of hair, dry, then run your fingers up the hair until you reach the roots. The rougher the hair the more porous it is.
Elasticity-which is were you take a single strand of wet hair and if the hair stretches upto half its length and returns, then it is in good condition. But if the hair breaks or coils then it will be in poor condition.
If these tests are done and the results come back poor then using bleach on your hair will not be a very good idea.
Just remember always be careful when bleaching hair, as it could ruin your hair.

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