Anyone have DIY experience in dyeing/bleaching hair?

[xFenrir]

So I've already been dying my hair bleach blonde (I use L'Oreal Fiera Extra Bleach Blonde #205) and usually I just mix it all up and dump it on my hair. This is apparently not good for your hair, and it says "do not use directly on scalp" too (my friend dyed it so she was the one reading the instructions). Now I haven't had any problems with it, and I've used it this way twice before, but I'm wondering what's the right way to do this? I'm kinda worried because sometimes I scratch my head or it gets scraped by my brush, and it gets a little raw. It says not to use if there are any cuts, abrasions, or scrapes, and my head's not bleeding or anything. Is it harmful to use? I can't think of a time where some part of my scalp isn't roughed up. So will there be serious health risks if I use this dye? The most I've had was that my scalp burned for a few minutes when I first put it on, but I assumed that that's what happens with bleach.

And is this stuff even really a bleach? I can't find anywhere on or in the box that says the bleach percentage. I know it says "Intense 1-Step Lightening System" on the front, but does that mean it's a bleach? Is it just a really low-bleach percentage. or is it a coloring dye that's just super light?

I can't find ANY of the answers to these questions on the web, just people's reviews of the product.

[MisterKyte]

I used to bleach my hair all the time and when it says that you aren't supposed to apply directly into your scalp, it's only warning you to not work it into your head like you with when you're using shampoo or something. When you get your hair bleached at a salon, they'll generally "paint" it onto your hair with a brush. But yeah, just dumping it on your head isn't too awful.
As for the bleach itself, since it actually kills your hair, yeah, it totally unhealthy for the general well being of your hair but if used sparingly it isn't too awful, like having a cigarette every now and again vs having a cigarette every day. One will cause some serious issues long term where as the other just kind of isn't the best thing to do to your body. I'd have to actually have a box of bleach in front of me to give you a straight answer of what's in bleach but I think a major component is Hydrogen Peroxide??? This is just off the top of my head though.
If your worried about your hair at all, I would just suggest laying off the bleach for a few months (maybe a year if you use very frequently because you've got to let your hair recover and regrow some), dying however doesn't have the same corrosive effect on hair as the bleach does so you can probably still get away with that.

[xFenrir]

Well I only dye/bleach it like twice a year. Usually I let it grow out to the point where it's like I've got 5+ inches of roots before I'm like "okay, I need to fix this!" lol.

I just read so many horror stories on the 'net about chemical burns from bleach. But they're talking about full-on BLEACH. Like, 30-40% mixtures, which I think would be labeled as "bleach kits", not "lightening systems".

[meowmeowkazoo]

Bleach doesn't kill your hair, hair is already dead.

I bleach/dye my hair many times a year and have no issues. Just treat your hair well. I really like It's a 10 leave-in conditioner for damaged hair. You can get it online or at a salon.

[BrandiR]

I used to dye my hair a different color every two or three months. I never used "bleach" or blonde colors, but every hair coloring product I've ever used has said not to put it directly on your scalp. I don't think there's a real danger in it. I think the "warning" is there to protect the manufacturer just in case someone has a reaction, because it is a chemical so there's going to be some level of risk in skin contact. I think the risk is probably minimal.

[JeRMz]

My Wifey has the most beautiful, natural black hair! Gorgeous!!! Key word here is NATURAL!!!

[loonunit]

My Wifey has the most beautiful, natural black hair! Gorgeous!!! Key word here is NATURAL!!!

Yup. And you just can't get a really vibrant un-natural pink or blue by applying it to unbleached, naturally-colored hair.

(Which is a long way around of saying: it's xFenrir's hair, and she really can do whatever she wants with it. Even if it's not your thing. It's great that you like your wife's hair best the way it is! And I'm sure xFenrir will find someone who digs her style, if she hasn't already.)

[loonunit]

And is this stuff even really a bleach? I can't find anywhere on or in the box that says the bleach percentage. I know it says "Intense 1-Step Lightening System" on the front, but does that mean it's a bleach? Is it just a really low-bleach percentage. or is it a coloring dye that's just super light?

Most hair "bleach" is actually hydrogen peroxide or some other similar chemical:

http://www.essortment.com/bleaching-hair-59332.html

Yeah, your hair is already technically dead, but bleaching will degrade the cellular structure, and make it more prone to split ends, etc. It dries it out and breaks it up. That's actually part of why bleached hair is so much better at holding color: because the surface is all roughed up, so the little molecules of color have crevices they get lodged into.

It won't really hurt your scalp really badly? But it's doing the same thing to your skin: it dries it out and damages it. If you have sensitive skin or you're allergic, it could really irritate it. And if you have got a cut on your scalp, it will burn like rubbing lemon in it.

[DooLittle]

I don't do my own, and usually just color/dye. But sometimes do the "blondish" high lights, and usually wind up not liking it, because the bleaching process makes my hair dryer than a popcorn fart. It strips so much from your hair, that it feels like straw. I can't stand dry, icky, or crunchy (from too much hair spray or product) hair. I do know that stuffs not good for your hair. But if you like it, go for it.

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

[I-KandyReptiles]

So I've already been dying my hair bleach blonde (I use L'Oreal Fiera Extra Bleach Blonde #205) and usually I just mix it all up and dump it on my hair. This is apparently not good for your hair, and it says "do not use directly on scalp" too (my friend dyed it so she was the one reading the instructions). Now I haven't had any problems with it, and I've used it this way twice before, but I'm wondering what's the right way to do this? I'm kinda worried because sometimes I scratch my head or it gets scraped by my brush, and it gets a little raw. It says not to use if there are any cuts, abrasions, or scrapes, and my head's not bleeding or anything. Is it harmful to use? I can't think of a time where some part of my scalp isn't roughed up. So will there be serious health risks if I use this dye? The most I've had was that my scalp burned for a few minutes when I first put it on, but I assumed that that's what happens with bleach.

And is this stuff even really a bleach? I can't find anywhere on or in the box that says the bleach percentage. I know it says "Intense 1-Step Lightening System" on the front, but does that mean it's a bleach? Is it just a really low-bleach percentage. or is it a coloring dye that's just super light?

I can't find ANY of the answers to these questions on the web, just people's reviews of the product.

I've bleached my hair numerous times. It's at the point that my hair will actually fall out when I bleach.

They suggest to do the tips first, then work your bleach up to your roots. This is usually because the roots will be bleached long before your tips are the right color.

I'd assume it's just bleach. Does it come with the bleach powder and the activation liquid?