Become Platinum Blonde Without Too Much Damage

Platinum blonde hair can change your whole look, but getting there can be a challenge, especially if you have dark or color-treated hair. The best way to make this transition is to find a hair stylist who has experience with platinum blonde hair coloring. If you are determine to create your own platinum blonde look at home, then you will need to purchase home bleaching products and tools. Just keep in mind that no matter what route you take, it is best to go slowly and to take good care of your hair to help reduce the damage.

Steps

Finding a Professional Hair Stylist

1. Ask friends. If you have a friend who recently went platinum or underwent another dramatic hair color change, ask for the name of her hair stylist. You can also ask friends and family for recommendations on hair salons and stylists who they think might be able to make you a platinum blonde without too much damage.
   • You can also check out reviews of salons online to narrow your choices down. Look for salons that have high ratings from their customers.
   • If you get some recommendations, check out the stylists Instagram or other social media feeds where they post photos of their work.
2. Call salons to find someone with experience. If your regular stylist has experience with platinum blonde coloring, then you might simply go for a consultation with them. However, if you do not currently have a stylist or your stylist has expressed discomfort with taking you to this color, then call around to find someone who has experience turning people into platinum blondes.
   • Try saying something like, “I want to go platinum blonde without too much damage to my hair, and my current hair color is ____. Do any of your stylists have experience with this type of situation?”
3. Schedule a consultation with a hair stylist. After you find someone who has experience, you can make a consultation appointment. Sometimes you can just drop into the salon and see the stylist between clients, but it is best to ask first.
   • Try saying something like, “I would like to stop in and talk with the stylist before I make an appointment. Do I need to make a consultation appointment, or can I just stop by when the stylist is working?”
   • Make sure to bring picture with you to your consultation so you can show the stylist what you want your hair to look like.
4. Ask questions. Before you decide to make your first hair appointment with a stylist, it is a good idea to ask questions. This will help you to get a sense of how much experience the stylist has and how comfortable you feel trusting your hair to them.
   • How many times have you taken someone from a shade similar to mine to a platinum blonde shade?
   • What process did you use to get the desired color without causing too much damage?
   • How many appointments do you think it would take to get me to a platinum blonde shade?
   • Do you have any photos of your work?
5. Make your first appointment. If you feel comfortable with the stylist, then you can make an appointment with them. Be aware that you may not leave the appointment as a platinum blonde, but this is a safer route than trying to go platinum blonde in a day. Try to be patient with the process.
   • Keep in mind that going platinum with a professional can cost upwards of $300, and you also have to maintain it with regular root touch-ups and special brass banishing shampoo and conditioners. However, getting your hair done professionally will likely yield better results and it is also safer.

Using Bleaching Products at Home

1. Gather your materials. Bleaching your hair on your own can be risky. However, if you use the right products and do not leave the bleach on for too long, then you may be able to get platinum blonde hair at home with little damage. Before you get started, you will need:
   • High quality powder bleach.
   • Lower volume developer, such as level 30.
   • Toner, such as Wella T18.
   • Deep conditioning treatment.
   • Latex or vinyl gloves.
   • An old t-shirt or a smock to protect your clothes.
   • A towel.
   • A mixing bowl.
   • A color application brush.
   • A sink or shower to rinse your hair.
2. Start with unwashed hair. Avoid shampooing your hair for two days before bleaching it. This will help to ensure that your hair and scalp have enough moisture to take the bleach. Otherwise, the chance of damage may be greater.
   • You can also do a deep conditioning treatment a couple of days before bleaching your hair for added protection.
3. Put on an old t-shirt and gloves. Before you start mixing up the bleach, put on something that you don’t mind getting bleach on. An old t-shirt is a good option, but you can also wear a smock over your clothes if you have one. Also, put on a pair of gloves to protect your hands from the bleach.
4. Mix the bleach powder and developer. Read the instructions that come with the bleach you have purchased. The packaging should indicate the bleach to developer ratio for your formula. Using a small whisk, whip the bleach and the developer together until they are creamy. Only fill your color bowl about three quarters full because the bleach will expand while you are applying it.
   • Some bleaches, such as Wella Multi Blonde, are flexible with the amount of developer you can use to achieve your desired results. In this case, mix equal parts bleach and developer until your formula has the cream-like consistency you desire.
   • If the bleach you have purchased is more specific about the ratio of bleach to developer, such as Igora Vario Blond, which uses 1:2 parts bleach to developer, use a measuring cup from your kitchen to weigh your formula.
5. Section your hair. Before applying any bleach to your hair, pull your hair into four sections. This will make it easier for you to manage the application. Part your hair down the center down to the nape of your neck. On each side, divide the top and bottom halves of your hair, and clip them in a way that keeps them secure and out of your way until you are ready to apply the bleach.
   • If you have especially thick hair, you may need to divide your hair into more than four sections.
6. Apply the bleach from roots to ends. Starting with the back of your head, apply the bleach using your color brush in thin layers. Gradually continue applying until this entire section of hair is covered, and then move on to the next section. Work in smalls sections going from the back of your head to the front.
   • Do not apply the bleach to your scalp. Just apply it to the roots of your hair near your scalp.
   • Remember to wear gloves and try not to get any bleach on your skin.
   • If you have previously bleached your hair and your roots are a darker color, do not apply bleach to your roots and ends at the same time. This will result in “hot roots,” which will not match the rest of your hair. In this case, apply bleach only to the roots of the hair.
7. Allow your hair to process. You may need to let the bleach sit on your hair for up to 45 minutes. Check the package to determine how long to leave it on. While the bleach is processing, make sure to check it every 5 to 10 minutes.
   • There is no specific amount of processing time that will work for everyone. If the bleach has lifted enough color out after 10 minutes, rinse it immediately to prevent the bleach from processing further.
   • Do not allow your hair to process for more than one hour, even if you have not achieved your desired shade of blonde. At this point, the bleach will not lift any more color, and leaving it on is only causing damage to your hair.
8. Rinse your hair thoroughly. Rinse your hair with lukewarm water until you have gotten all of the bleach out of your hair. Do this before you use shampoo, as any bleach that is left on the hair after you shampoo will continue to process and may cause damage and have a drying effect on your hair.
9. Shampoo your hair twice. Once you have completely removed all of the bleach from your hair with a cool rinse, shampoo your hair. Whether you are using toning shampoo or hydrating shampoo, massage your scalp and hair as you wash to remove any remaining bleach residue. Repeat this process at least one time.
   • Do not use conditioner if you plan to use a toner after you shampoo. If you are using a toning shampoo to finish your color, you can use conditioner after you shampoo.
10. Apply toner if desired. While your hair is still wet, you can use a toner to finish your color. Use a purple toner to negate any yellow or brassy tones in your hair, and a blue toner to negate any orange tones.
    • If you are using a cream based toner, apply the toner in the same way that you applied your bleach, using a color brush.
    • If you are using a liquid toner, use a bottle to evenly pour the solution over your hair and massaged in thoroughly.
    • Leave your toner on for about 10 minutes and then rinse. However, for some toners, you may only need to leave them on for about 5 minutes. Check the recommendations on the bottle.
    • Keep in mind that toner is optional. If you are happy with the tone of your blonde, then you do not need to use a toner.

Reducing the Damage to Your Hair

1. Go slow. You might be able to achieve a platinum blonde shade in one go if your hair is naturally blonde already. However, going from a dark brown to platinum blonde can multiple treatments spread out over several weeks, especially if you have dyed your hair in the past.
   • If you decide to bleach your hair on your own, try to be patient and go slow to reduce the damage.
   • If you see a professional to go platinum, then your hair stylist will likely recommend that you break the bleaching sessions into at least two or three appointments.
2. Use protein treatments. Protein treatments can help to rebuild hair after you have bleached it. These treatments are similar to leave in conditioners and you can purchase them in beauty supply stores. Try to use a protein treatment between each of your hair bleaching sessions and after any touch ups as well.
3. Choose a sulfate-free shampoo. It is important to reduce the harsh chemicals that you introduce to your hair, so switch to a sulfate-free shampoo if you have not done so already. Sulfates can dry out your hair, which will already be dry after bleaching it multiple times.
   • Cut back on how often you wash your hair as well. Try to wash your hair only once or twice per week.
   • Always follow your shampoo with a conditioner and use a deep conditioner about once or twice per week.
4. Consider skipping your roots. Applying bleach to the hair near your scalp will probably burn. By skipping your roots, you will also ensure that the hair follicles close to your head stay healthy, which may help to reduce breakage.
   • Some people like the way that dark roots look with platinum blonde hair. Try it out and see if you like it.

Tips

• Try using Olaplex’s at home restorative conditioning treatment. Olaplex is specifically formulated to restore hair that has been damaged by chemical treatments.

Warnings

• Do not leave bleach on your hair for more than hour. This can cause extreme breakage.
• If your scalp becomes irritated or inflamed, rinse the bleach off of your hair immediately.
• Remove any bleach that has dripped onto your neck or skin quickly. Bleach can cause chemical burns.

Things You'll Need

• Bleach and developer
• Toner or toning shampoo and conditioner
• Plastic mixing bowl
• Color application brush
• Hair clips strong enough to hold large sections of hair
• Deep conditioning treatment or hair mask

Related Articles

• Become a Blonde
• Get Blonde Hair from Dark Brown
• Bleach Your Hair Platinum Blonde
• Be Gothic With Blonde Hair
• Get Red Hair to Blonde/Platinum

Sources and Citations

See also

• Do Ecaille Hair Color
• Dip Dye Dark Hair
• Lowlight Gray Hair
• Lowlight Blonde Hair
• Bleach Hair Blonde
• Prepare Your Hair for Bleaching
• Color Hair With Food Coloring
• Dye Hair
• Dye Your Hair Brown After It Has Been Dyed Black
• Dye Hair Two Colors

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