Anyone have DIY experience in dyeing/bleaching hair?

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 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.

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".

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.

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.

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

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Originally Posted by JeRMz

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

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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.)

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Originally Posted by xFenrir

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?

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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.

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.

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Originally Posted by 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.

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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?

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Originally Posted by loonunit

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.)

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I'm getting the feeling a mans honest opinion isn't allowed in this conversation. Typical.
Maybe you should start a hair-dye dilemma support group...?! :rofl:

When I was dyeing my hair a lighter blonde color the boxes said "no bleach, no ammonia" I couldn't help you if the box doesn't say that!

To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don't need to be accepted by others, you need to accept yourself. -Thich Nhat Hanh

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Originally Posted by JeRMz

To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don't need to be accepted by others, you need to accept yourself. -Thich Nhat Hanh

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"Do whatever the hell you want and do whatever makes you happy." -Mike41793

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

"Do whatever the hell you want and do whatever makes you happy." -Mike41793

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x2
Kinda shocked how many people care that she's dying her hair.

Reminds me of the ladies last night telling me I shouldn't have stretched my ears.

Guess what?

It's my body, and I'll do what I want.

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Originally Posted by Bobbafett

x2
Kinda shocked how many people care that she's dying her hair.

Reminds me of the ladies last night telling me I shouldn't have stretched my ears.

Guess what?

It's my body, and I'll do what I want.

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Oh lawwwwd not to mention all those tattoos! Tell me those arent permanent bc i just do not approve missy! :p

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Originally Posted by JeRMz

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

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In my humble opinion the key word is "gorgeous" and OP's hair fits into that category. At least it does in her picture.

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Originally Posted by JeRMz

I'm getting the feeling a mans honest opinion isn't allowed in this conversation. Typical.
Maybe you should start a hair-dye dilemma support group...?! :rofl:

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No one said your opinion is unwelcome, everyone just doesn't agree with it :) I wish I had gorgeous natural shiny jet black hair. I just don't...but I DO have $8.99.

I'm not offended. :) He never said "you shouldn't dye your hair", he just expressed that he likes natural hair. No need for anyone to get on anyone else for their preferences.

As for me, I decided on a whim to go blonde and I've loved it so much that I'll keep doing it, for now at least. I've toyed with the idea of going back to a brunette shade (natural or otherwise) but I'm just so in love with my bleach-blonde look that I've decided to keep dyeing it this color. It represents me: fun and bright! :P I wish I had natural blonde hair, and if one day I decide blonde isn't my color anymore, I can always let it grow out, or cut it, or even dye it back so I don't have to go through the "extreme two-tone" look while it's growing out. I just worried that maybe I was doing something wrong since the directions were stressing about not putting it directly on your scalp.

As for the coloring, it's a "lightening powder" and a "developing creme". There's a "shimmering oil" that you add to it too, but I'm assuming that's just to keep your hair from drying too badly, and there's the obligatory hydrating conditioner for after you wash out the color. It says "bleach blonding - extra bleach blonde" on the top, so I guess it means it has some amount of bleach in it.

Yeah, that's bleach.

As far as I know, bleach is the only way to lighten your hair from a darker color.

i've dyed my hair many, many times, and i think i've actually used the same blond product as you. usually if it doesn't advertise as bleach, it isnt bleach. the lightening stuff will definitely get you a nice blonde, and it probably has a bit of bleach in it, but it wont do too much damage, especially if you use the conditioner that comes with it. don't worry about putting it on your scalp, i think it just means not to massage it in and rather just paint it on.

When you do your roots, do you dye JUST the roots, or do you do your whole head? My natural color is a REALLY dark brown (I think, HAH) and I dye my hair super bright red ( It's brighter now than in my avatar pic). I use a dye specifically for dark hair with a 30 vol developer. I ONLY do my regrowth. Bleaching previously lightened hair wrecks it. Feria is one of the best box dyes in my opinion, but it still does damage. Nexus emergence is a really good reconstructor to use between colorings. As for the scalp question, like everyone said, don't rub it in. Make sure when you do color, you haven't washed your hair in a few days. The oils will help protect your scalp and not make it itch. If you still experience scalp sensitivity days AFTER you color, the dye/ bleach may be too strong. Sally beauty supply sells a protein filler that can be added to dye to help protect your hair as well it makes the color take more evenly on your roots.

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Originally Posted by Bobbafett

Yeah, that's bleach.

As far as I know, bleach is the only way to lighten your hair from a darker color.

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Ah that's true, I only have to lighten my hair a shade or two, unless I did bleach blonde of course. I'm not sure how you would go from dark to blonde without harsher chemicals.

My friend just put it on everything, the roots first and then on the previously dyed part last. This time I'm going to only put it on the regrowth and the brown that was on the bottom layer, and leave the rest alone. Nothing bad has happened from doing it the other way, but I don't want this time to be the time that wrecks it!

As for the "not washing your hair for a few days" part, I can't really do that. I work at Victoria's Secret and they stress being clean and presentable (seeing as we sell undergarments, it looks bad if we're all gross-looking), and my hair gets oily VERY fast. I can go a day without washing it, but by the second day it looks very stringy and limp. So I wash my hair pretty regularly. Now, do you think it'll be okay if I shower in the morning (like around 8am) and then dye my hair around 4pm or so, or is that still a bad idea? I was also thinking about just rinsing off tomorrow (aka just washing my body, not my hair) because I used hairspray today and I'm sure it wouldn't be good to have it in my hair still if I'm going to dye it, so I was going to at least rinse it out. Basically tomorrow is my only day to dye my hair, because I wanted to get it done before Thanksgiving/Black Friday, and since I'll be with family on Thanksgiving and I'm working 6am-10pm Friday I really don't have many options. I don't think it'll damage my hair that badly if I've showered recently, as long as I leave it alone for 24 hours after, right?

You should be fine dying it later that day, you just risk scalp irritation. If your hair gets oily fast, try dry shampoo! Suave actually makes one that's better than any of the professional ones I've tried. It gives lots of body and keeps it from getting stringy. I only wash my hair every few days and I use dry shampoo in between. Hairspray before you dye is okay, I do it all the time. Every professional hairdresser has dyed over styling products on my hair too.

Good luck Black Friday!!! I work for Target and we open at 9pm Thursday... Oh, the joys of retail!

I can't tell you how to bleach your hair, but I can tell you how NOT to bleach your hair. Dumping two bottles of hydrogen peroxide in your hair and letting it dry is NOT the way to do it...

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I haven't really read the whole thread so I'm not sure if you got your answer or not but here's my two cents. It's unclear whether the box dye you're using is a bleach or just color mixed with high volume developer. What does it smell like? Bleach has a very distinct smell when you mix it. What color is it? Bleach is sometimes blue but it could also be white. It could also be a mix of a bleach and a color. Because it's telling you not to use it on your scalp and because you're experiencing irritation I wouldn't be surprised if whatever it is it's mixed with a high volume developer. Higher volume developers are not suggested for on the scalp use because of what you're experiencing. Depending on your natural color you might be able to retouch your regrowth with a lower volume developer mixed with color. Color can lift your hair depending on the developer it's mixed with. It will be less harsh on your hair than bleach. If your hair is too dark even bleach mixed with a lower volume developer will be less damaging to your scalp and hair. Whichever method you choose only touch up your regrowth and make sure you're using deep conditioners in between colorings. Also make sure you're getting regular trims as removing the really damaged and split ends can do wonders for your hair.