No matter how you’re looking to lighten your hair, keep these four tips in mind to do it safely and effectively.
1. Go to a Pro (or Bring a Box Home)
As for “natural” ways to lighten your hair, Liu doesn’t have any suggestions. “I personally don’t recommend playing chemist at home, especially since there are lots of available and relatively affordable coloring products in drugstores,” she says. Ultimately, you’re better off with an at-home coloring kit or an appointment at a salon.
The upside of having a professional colorist do your hair is that they know what they’re doing and can advise you on a color or product that’s best for the specific natural color, texture, and health status of your hair.
2. Less Is More
What’s more, a correction on a home hair-color job gone wrong takes more time and money than if you’d had it done at a salon in the first place. It also requires more processing of already compromised hair, says Schipani.
3. Watch for Reactions
4. Care for Your Color
Specific shampoos and conditioners, as well as other products, like hair masks, designed for color-treated hair help preserve your color and promote the health of your hair by restoring moisture and strength, says Schipani.
