how to lighten hair without bleach

How to Lighten Hair Without Bleach

Throwing Light Shade

Have you ever wanted your hair just a few shades lighter but didn't want to make a trip to your hairstylist?

Bleaching your hair lighter not only costs your pockets, but it can also be very damaging to your lovely locks. With all the different layers that make up our hair we need every cell, and every follicle healthy and actively growing.

(Don't feel like bleaching your hair? Try a Blonde Lace Front Wig)

But what if I told you that there are plenty of ways you can lighten your hair by only using natural, or household items. You don't have to sacrifice your healthy locks for lighter hair color.

So, I'm here to help you all out with an excellent list of 10 ways to lighten your hair without using bleach.

Light brown hair

Harmful Effects of Bleaching Your Hair

Well, it's no question here that using bleach on your hair can be very harmful, but what are the reasons why?

So, bleach and highlights remove the color from your hair through oxidization. The pigment in your hair shaft quickly decolorizes your strands; this is why your hair will sometime turn white when bleach is in too long.

Bleaching raises the cuticles in the scalp allowing the chemicals to penetrate adequately. If you bleach your hair too many times, then the follicles will remain permanently raised causing consecutive loss of moisture. If your hair lacks moisture, it will then become dry, brittle, create endless split ends and breakage.

On top of all that bleaches can also burn your scalp and cause permanent damage, or hair loss.

I'm not trying to discourage you from bleaching your hair; I just advise that if you want an incredibly lighter shade to contact a professional stylist or make an appointment to your nearest salon. People who are knowledgeable in the art of bleaching hair will be able to test your follicles and strands beforehand.

Also, if you are thinking about dying your hair use a deep conditioning shampoo three days before you bleach your hair, this will make the strands near your hair cuticles stronger and better able to handle harsh chemicals.

Now that you know the harmful effects of continuously bleaching your hair let's get into some natural and better ways to lighten your hair without using bleach. You wanna know how to bleach your hair without damage? Let's get into some natural ways to lighten the hair.

Bleach hair blonde

Ways To Lighten Hair!

These are some of our favorite ways to lighten hair without bleach! Lightening hair doesn't have to be damaging to your hair! Read more to find out how.

Lemon Juice

I know you're probably thinking: does lemon juice lighten hair? The answer is yes! Lemon juice is one of the most common ways to lighten your hair. What is even better is that this method leaves your hair smelling good. Using lemon juice to lighten hair is a safe method as long as you do it right. You'll need to make sure you know how to lighten hair with lemon. Make sure that you don't harm yourself.

Here's how to lighten hair with lemon juice. The way it works is that the heat or humidity from the sun or outside opens the cuticles on top of your head, and thus making it easier for the lemon juice to lift the color out of your hair. All you must do is squeeze some fresh lemon juice into a spray bottle and dose it on to your head.

If you want to make sure your hair doesn't dry out, try adding olive oil or leave-in conditioner for more moisture.

Lemons

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar is another helpful agent to help lighten your hair and also give it some natural highlights.

Apple Cider Vinegar is used to cleanse the hair and can clean some of the harmful chemicals that might build up in your scalp. This method is simple, be sure to mix 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar and 1 cup of water. Once you have created your mixture rinse your hair with it only after shampooing and conditioning, this prevents your hair from getting dry.

For more extended and better results of lightening try leaving the mixture in your hair for at least 30 minutes and then rinse out thoroughly from your hair.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Honey

I know I know, you're probably thinking mixing honey with your hair is a recipe for a sticky disaster.

But it's another excellent way to add highlights to your hair and get it a few shades lighter. Honey has an enzyme known as glucose oxidase, and this creates hydrogen peroxide, which is a natural bleaching agent. So, if you are interested in trying this at home here is what you'll have to do.

Use 1/4 cup of honey and mix it with 1 cup of water. Make sure to mix very well, and it also helps to place the mixture in a shampoo or conditioner bottle for less mess. Now once you have done that leave the honey, and water concoction alone for an hour to settle. They say the longer it sits, the better the results will be.

Now that time has passed you can apply the mixture on to your wet hair. It is essential that your hair remains damp at all times while the mixture is soaking into your scalp. Using a shower cap will help to keep a mess from forming on your forehead or dripping down your neck.

Chill out for an hour or so with the honey absorbing into your hair. When you've waited long enough, you should rinse out the mixture with conditioner. Your hair will noticeably start to feel smoother and more moisturized.

Repeat this process as much as you like until you receive the natural lighter shade or highlight that you desire.

Honey

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen Peroxide is one household item you may have lying around, and if you do this product could just be the right solution to getting that hair a few shades lighter. Bleaching hair with peroxide is a common practice.

You have to make sure you are careful if you are trying the hydrogen peroxide method because incorrect usage can cause your hair damage or for an orangey color to occur.

This lightening method works best on healthy hair, so if you're thinking of giving this a try make sure you have been using natural hair care products at least two weeks before using the peroxide.

Now on to the steps to create this hair dye. Try to buy peroxide that has a 3% solution this is a less concentrated blend and will less likely cause damage to your hair. Put the peroxide into a spray bottle and add about three tablespoons of water to dilute the solution even more.

Place the peroxide mixture on your hair and twist it into a bun, make sure it is not in your head for longer than 30 minutes, or this can lead to brittle and dry hair. With this method, you see results quickly unlike that gradual changes you'll see with the other hair dying options on this list.

When you have reached the shade of highlights that you would like, rinse out hair with cold water and go on to conditioning your locks. For the next several days make sure not to wash your hair repeatedly, this is because your scalp needs to secrete its natural oils to keep those luscious locks protected.

Vodka

Wait, did I just say vodka? Yes, you bet I did, I know some of us don't want to waste a valuable shot on our hair, but hey highlights are essential. The alcohol along with the sun helps lift the pigments of your hair to achieve a lighter shade.

Mix 1/4 cups or one shot of vodka with 1 cup of seltzer and pour it into a spray bottle. Now spritz the mixture on to your beautiful hair and let the sun or your hairdryer do its magic. About 30 minutes is all you need to see a noticeable difference in color.

What is even more significant is that vodka can help reduce the amount of frizz you have on your hair as well. So, the next time you treat yourself to a cocktail be sure to leave a little for your future hair dye treatment.

Vodka Shots

Chamomile Tea

Who would have thought the perfect remedy for a cold could also help lighten up your hair.

Brew about 4 to 6 bags of chamomile tea into a cup of boiling water and let cool down. Once the tea is at room temperature, you can add to a spray bottle and begin to spritz all over your hair.

This method doesn't have to be rinsed out or washed out, just a few dosages twice a day and you should start seeing subtle changes in your hair color.

Chamomile Tea

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is not only good for seasoning food but also a great additive agent in lightening up that hair color.

Try adding about three tablespoons of cinnamon powder to a half cup of your everyday conditioner. Apply this mixture on to your damp hair. Twist your hair into a bun or place into a shower cap or bonnet and leave in for about 3 to 4 hours.

If you want you can even let the cinnamon mix stay in your hair overnight, the longer it remains in, the lighter the color will be.

What's also great about this method is that cinnamon has a lot of natural sunscreen and rich antioxidants, this will help protect your hair from the harmful rays of the sun.

You will notice a softer and silkier appearance of your beautiful strands once you rinse the cinnamon out. So, be ready for luscious and lighter looking locks.

Cinnamon

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is good for a healthy immune system, but who knew it could be helpful when wanting to add highlights to your hair.

This vitamin helps build collagen which is great for growing your hair. So how does it work? You should purchase regular Vitamin C tablets and not the ones with a flavor additive.

Now once you've gotten the right vitamins, you need to grab about 5 to 9 and use a small mallet or rolling pin to crush them up.

Now, pour the powder into your shampoo and make sure it is enough to lather on to your whole head. Once all of your hair has the mixture on it, you should cover your strands with a shower cap, and let it sit on your head for one hour or more.

Once the time has passed rinse hair with warm water, condition, and let air dry. Now, your hair should have some great highlights. On top of that, your body should be feeling healthier than ever due to the extra vitamins.

Vitamin C

Baking Soda

Baking soda is another household item you probably have chilling in your kitchen cabinets.

But this ingredient isn't only used for baking cakes; you can also add this to your hair routine for a lighter shade color. You want to take a 1/2 cup of baking soda and add a cup of warm water to create a beautiful medium consistency paste.

If the mixture is too thin then it won't cover your hair well, and if it is too thick then the baking soda will dry out, and the lightening process will not work. Once you apply the paste all throughout your hair, you should leave it in for about 20 to 30 minutes.

If the color is to your liking, then you can wash the product out, and add olive oil in to prevent yourself from having dry hair.

Baking Soda

Sunlight

Last but not least, the simplest way to get that hair a few shades lighter is stepping out into the sun for a few hours.

The sun bleaches the melanin in your hair, thus giving it a lighter color. You will see more of a gradual change, but also be aware that if your hair is a little darker, then it will become redder once in the sunlight for an extended period.

So, if you live near a beach, or around a place where it is always sunny then this is the best and most natural way to achieve some killer highlights. Make sure that no matter which method you decide to use, that you moisturize your hair daily to prevent breakage.

Sunrise

How Do You All Lighten Your Hair?

There you have it, ten excellent ways to lighten your hair without using bleach.

Now, all these methods can vary in results. Everyone's hair is different and depending on the type of texture you have it will either lose color or absorb color at different rates. So, please do not give up on the hope of lightening your hair in a natural and chemical free-way.

Also, a tip, using purified water helps with seeing better results. So don't rush the process, and most importantly have fun while experimenting with the different ways you can lighten up your hair minus the bleach.

If any of these tips or methods were helpful, please let us know in the comments down below. How do you lighten your hair without using bleach? We are anxious to see.

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