new thread
I cut my previously waist-length hair short about 6 months ago, and have regretted the decision ever since. I very strongly feel that long hair is part of my identity, so I'm committed to growing it out again. The problem is, my hair is naturally dark brown, and I've recently started bleaching it light blond. I've admired blond hair for many years, and was delighted to finally be able to wear the colour myself now that my hair is short enough to bleach properly. I feel the new colour really speaks to who I am. But my hair stylist told me the peroxide weakens the hair significantly, so as long as I continue to bleach my hair, it will probably break before it grows very long. So, does anyone here have any experience with or tips for maintaining and growing out bleached hair? Or will I have to make a choice between ideal length vs. ideal colour?
This is my hair in March - about 3 inches longer now.
Charlie
"The other thing is that my stylist does not use straight bleach - that will damage your hair. I also keep it well trimmed. If you really want to be blond you should find a good stylist to do it for you."
If your stylist doesn't use straight bleach, what do they use? I didn't know there was anything else that could take the colour out of hair.
Another question: what colour was your hair before you dyed it blond? The lighter it is, the less damage it suffers from being bleached, so the situation of someone who started with light brown or red hair might not apply to me.
My stylist uses commercial hair formulas that have alot of other things that doesn't cause as much damage as straight bleach - frankly most hair lighteners use only a small amount of bleach with a lot of others things(chemicals) that condition the hair and prevent the damage.
My hair is a mediuym browm - a lot darker than it is now. The bottom line is that if you take good care of your hair the "damage" is minimalized and can help the hair look thicker.
Charlie
Hey, that post leaves me feeling fooilsh. Kudos to you!
That's a difficult decision, but based on the advice I have read on this board over the months, the use of any harsh chemicals or treatment is not good for long hair. Natural is best and, in my opinion, better to be a dark brown long hair!
Good luck
Ian
Well I think I would accept my natural color, of course I think dark hair looks great, maybe because when I was much younger my hair was blond and I always wanted dark hair. The decision is yours , so do what you feel is right for you.
Tom
Don't is the best advice. This Board is littered with the consequences of chemical treatment - be it straightening or bleach or other permanent colours.
However much a salon or whoever says it is safe, it ain't right for the hair.
Choose, good hair or bleach.
Hey Soren,
Harsh chemicals will have a damaging effect on your hair. It is correct that peroxide weaken hair bleaching is not good for your hair. It's your call. To me, I'd rather have my long hair my natural color rather than put chemicals in my hair and risk losing my hair and have no hair of any color.
Raymond
To go from being a brunette to blonde will require two things. One is the use of peroxide to remove all of your natural coloring. Then chemical dyes are added to make it blond. You have to constantly treat the roots, which means your hair is subject to an onslaught of chemicals every 6 to 8 weeks, more frequently if roots are really dark. Chemical dyes and peroxide weaken the hair shaft, creating brittle strands. It is actually safer to dye hair darker, than to make it lighter, because you can then use peroxide-free dyes, or temporary hair rinses.
If you plan on growing your hair to any substantial length, you really might want to think about NOT going blonde. The weak damaged strands will create a lot of problems down the road; breakage and brittleness the most common. You will be trimming as fast as you are growing it, to remove the damage from chemical use, which will drastically slow down your growth rate. There was a board member who did just as you are contemplating doing, and his hair ended up so severely damaged, he reluctantly ended up buzzing it all off and starting fresh with virgin hair not processed by chemicals.
If you don't care for the particular shade of your hair, you might want to try highlighting with highlights a shade lower than your natural color; this is far less peroxide exposure, and risk of permanent damage is minimal. You could also use a color rinse that is peroxide-free to enhance your natural color. Or you could use natural henna and go for an auburn color. I am a natural dark blonde who highlights every few months. I heavily condition hair afterwords, so I haven't experienced any real damage. Highlighting can enhance and brighten your natural color without doing overall damage. Or you could just embrace your natural color.
I have a related problem -- turning gray. I had been covering it by using a home kit to color it every few weeks but it was hard on the hair. I then went to a stylist for a roots touch-up every few weeks. It costs more ($35 vs. ~ $10), but she only does the roots so the old hair does not get constant chemical bombardment. And, I am sure what she uses is better than off-the-shelf stuff. You can get kits to do this yourself--they come with a little paint brush, but how you do this to yourself is beyond me. It would be like trying to paint your car while you are sitting in it!
Its natural to go grey when we get older, i would never hide the grey or white in my hair. but thats just me i have long hair with grey streaks , the young ladies seem to like it, so i think ill keep it.older men with graying hair is distinguished so Ive been told.
good luck. James / Tampa,Fl
Yeah, that's a personal preference. I do not really like gray on myself at this time. I guess if I lose the battle I am fighting with the help of Propecia then I will go gray. Not yet. BTW, I was born and raised in Tampa, but have not lived there in a long time.