Often tinkering with coloring requires hair fading . To ensure a good result, it’s important to know how to lighten your hair evenly and safely.
Hairdresser Jéssica Carmo , a specialist in colorimetry, presents several ways to obtain lighter strands and shares several tips on the subject. Check out!
How to lighten hair?
According to Carmo, there are several methods that can be used to lighten the hair and it all depends on the current condition of the strands. Colored and/or toned hair “must go through bleaching processes with bleaching powder with ammonia and hydrogen peroxide or products without ammonia and with the same bleaching function”.
As for natural hair, it is possible to use “dyes with or without ammonia, synthetic lighteners (such as shampoo, conditioner, lotions and masks) and natural lighteners (such as henna , chamomile, honey, vinegar, lemon, bicarbonate, milk, rhubarb, cinnamon, vitamin C, salt and even onion)”.
What to do to lighten hair fast?
The expert explains that the fastest method is “to use bleaches, but this procedure should only be performed by trained professionals”, as it is a chemical process that can wear out the wires.
She also explains that bleaching and bleaching are two very different processes. Using less aggressive methods is a way to lighten the strands, but only bleaches can open up the hair tone for a more drastic change.
Are there any risks to the hair?
The professional points out that there are more risks in the discoloration process, since “all discoloration has a risk of breaking the hair fiber, caused by the exaggerated opening of the cuticles. Done irresponsibly can result in stretchy, brittle strands.”
Thus, the safest ways to lighten hair are by coloring or natural lightening methods. “Natural lightening also requires care, because they open the hair cuticles to remove pigments. However, they are less aggressive, making the whitening process a little slower, ”he says.
How to lighten hair naturally?

Carmo explains that “natural methods only work if the hair is free of chemical processes or dyes”. However, they are not recommended for all hair tones, especially for women who want extremely light tones.
Also, “this method is only recommended for natural blonde or light brown hair.” Using natural lighteners, these lighter shades gain a “warmer color and their reflections vary between golden, coppery or reddish, depending on the shade of the hair”.
Already in darker natural shades, ranging from light brown to black, natural methods “require more applications to reveal lighter reflections, which can harm the threads”. She reinforces that “all bleached hair must be treated properly to avoid breakage”.
How to lighten hair with chamomile
“The best known and most used method is using chamomile extract, either in tea or shampoo”, he explains. In addition, the method only works on dark blonde or lighter shades, as “chamomile has yellow and violet pigments that slightly enhance the color and shine of the hair.” Thus, “you will not notice a difference in the first applications, if your hair is dark blonde”. To lighten your hair with chamomile tea, the professional explains the step by step:
- Make the tea normally, with the proportion of 1 cup of dried chamomile flower or 4 tea bags for 500 ml of boiling water;
- Let the tea stand for an hour;
- Afterwards, wash your hair with the liquid and let it act for 25 minutes;
- Wash your hair normally;
- Repeat the process as many times as necessary.
How to lighten hair with cinnamon
The professional explains that cinnamon “has actives that lighten the threads and strengthens the hair fiber, promoting the healthy growth of the threads” and can be used as a bleaching method. She explains how the process should be done:
- Mix 2 teaspoons of cinnamon powder in 4 tablespoons of any hydrating mask and set aside.
- Wash your hair with an illuminating shine shampoo;
- Apply the mixture and let it act for 20 minutes;
- Finish with a conditioner from the same range.
How to lighten hair with honey
The specialist explains that the use of honey “is good for the hair, as it hydrates and nourishes the strands. As for lightening the hair, the use must be constant to give results”. Follow the expert’s steps:
- Prepare a mixture of honey and water or honey and conditioner;
- Glue the hair with this mixture, taking care to apply it strand by strand;
- Let it act for 2 hours, with the hair wrapped in a thermal or plastic cap;
- Then just rinse and finish as usual.
How to lighten hair with vinegar
Carmo explains that in addition to lightening the hair, vinegar can “decrease the oiliness of the scalp, balance the pH of the hair and act as a reconstructor to seal the ends”. It teaches you how to use it:
- Mix 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in 6 tablespoons of water;
- Apply to clean hair;
- Let it act for 15 minutes and rinse;
- Repeat the process weekly to ensure results.
How to lighten hair with lemon
Another way to lighten your hair naturally is with the use of lemon. The professional explains that “the lemon works together with the sun’s rays to lighten and enhance the results”. To enhance the result, you can still “add conditioner and cinnamon to lemon juice”. The step by step is as follows:
- Make a homogeneous mixture of lemon juice with conditioner and cinnamon;
- Spray the mixture on the wires;
- Take 3 to 4 sunbaths a day, lasting between 1 or 2 hours;
- Rinse and moisturize your hair after the procedure.
How to lighten hair with onion peel
One of the less obvious options presented by the professional is onion skin whitening. Although different, onion helps in hair growth. Check it step by step:
- Make a tea with the skin of two onions and 500 ml of water;
- Let it cool and apply the tea to your hair;
- Let it acts for 30 minutes;
- Rinse and wash your hair normally.
How to lighten hair with rhubarb
Rhubarb may not be such a famous vegetable, but this plant can be an option to lighten hair. In addition to this function, applying rhubarb to the strands is a way to stimulate the natural shine of the hair. Learn how to:
- Boil ¼ cup chopped rhubarb in 2 cups water;
- Strain, rinse your hair with the liquid and let it act for 10 minutes;
- Rinse and wash your hair as usual.
There are many options to lighten your hair with natural ingredients, isn’t there? When choosing your method, consider the ingredients you can easily find, as you will need to apply the mixture several times to get results.
How to lighten hair with dye
The professional explains that whitening with paint can cause damage to the wires, as it is performed “the mixture of coloring mass and hydrogen peroxide, with or without ammonia”. For a safe procedure, have your hair bleached by a professional.
However, be aware that “it is not necessary to discolor the hair to lighten the strands, as it is possible to achieve a good tone with dyes”. For this type of procedure, Carmo points out that it may not work if “the client wants very light tones, if the hair has been previously colored or gone through chemical procedures that waterproof the strands, such as progressives and botox”.
She adds that “discoloring is extremely complex, as it opens the hair cuticle, leaving the strands more fragile and increasing the risk of breakage. There are several steps and it can be a lengthy process.
Homemade tutorials on how to lighten your hair
If you are interested in natural bleaching methods, then this is the time to learn a little more about these processes. In the selected videos, you can see natural and homemade whitening processes and their results:
Lightening hair with chamomile
In the video, you learn how to lighten your hair with chamomile tea. You can put the warm tea in a spray bottle to ensure a more homogeneous result. After that, just stay in the sun for a while and finish your hair with a hairdryer. The result can be enhanced if you use a whitening shampoo .
Mixing different recipes
How about mixing several natural products that lighten your hair to ensure results? In this video you can see a mixture of milk, chamomile tea, onion peel and cinnamon powder. You don’t need to be afraid of the smell, because the onion skin does not leave an odor on the hair.
Result of constant use of natural lighteners
Here you will see the result of the constant use of the bleach with chamomile, milk, onion peel and powdered cinnamon. The blogger reports that she has been using this recipe for four years and proves the results with before and after photos. Here, persistence and patience are powerful allies!
Lightening hair with milk, lemon, honey and cinnamon powder
Unlike previous recipes, you cannot go out in the sun with this mixture. That’s because the recipe uses lemon, which causes burns with exposure to the sun. Therefore, the recommendation is to apply at night. The lightening combination chosen has milk, lemon, honey, cinnamon and conditioner to facilitate application.
You can already see that the options are wide when it comes to natural ways to lighten hair. Remember that because they are natural recipes, the result is slower and requires more than one application. Continue reading to check out other ways to lighten hair that provide faster effects.
What is the best product to lighten your hair?
If you want lighter strands with quick effects, it’s best to do the discoloration process. To avoid damage, seek to use safe products and create a good hair schedule routine . Check out the discoloration products recommended by the professional:
1. Lightner Diamond, da Cless – $
This product is a bleaching powder, used to lighten up to 10 tones. Its formula contains minerals that minimize the damage caused to the hair during the bleaching process.

“If you need to bleach your hair to apply other dyes or lighten up a few shades, this bleaching powder is an inexpensive option that does the job. It has diamond crystals, minimizing wire damage.”
2. BB Bleach High Lift, da Alfaparf – $$
White bleaching powder, used to keep the level of fading under control. The product is easy to mix and you can even create a homogeneous cream to apply to your hair.

“For professional use, with high whitening power. In addition to being fast, the product causes little damage to the wires. In the formula you find keratin, to rebuild the thread, and marula oil, for more shine and revitalization. It also has chia seed oil, an antioxidant that acts as a protector of the hair fiber. It is excellent for those who want platinum hair, as it has white clay to make the strands soft.”
3. Amend Luxe Creations Blonde Care – $$$
The bleaching powder in this line opens up to 9 tones and has a formula that guarantees extra conditioning to the threads. Thus, the product minimizes damage caused by the discoloration process.

“This product dries out the hair less and has a high whitening power. Plus, it’s good value for money.”
4. Professionals Blondor Multi Blondor – $$$$
A professional line product, it contains properties that reduce the chances of orange and yellow tones during the discoloration process. Can be used on previously colored hair.

“This is a professional product that provides uniform and stable discoloration, lightening up to 7 shades of hair. The result of bleaching is healthy hair.”
5. Schwarzkopf Professional BlondMe Bond Enforcing Premium Bleaching Powder – $$$$$
It is also a professional bleaching powder with high whitening power. Easy to mix and with protective properties, the product minimizes the damage caused by the bleaching process.

“The product performs well. It brings a perfect blonde and its substances are powerful and protective, minimizing hair loss and damage during application. It also has agents that neutralize warm undertones and opens up to 9 shades.”
There is no shortage of options when choosing to lighten your hair. After getting the much-dreamed blonde hair , don’t forget to use good maintenance products, in addition to maintaining a good care routine.
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