Blonding & Bleaching: Everything You Need to Know
Thinking of going lighter? Whether you're dreaming of a cool icy blonde or a sun-kissed warm and natural lift, blonding (bleaching) is often the first essential step. At BRUSH Amsterdam, we specialize in safe, custom bleaching techniques that enhance your color journey—while respecting your hair's integrity.
What is bleaching exactly?
Bleaching is a chemical process that removes pigment from the hair shaft, creating a light base that can be toned into the exact blonde or pastel hue you desire. It's the foundation for many techniques, including balayage, highlights, and foilyage.
Is bleaching damaging?
Yes, but with the right hands, expertise and care it can be minimised. At BRUSH, we work with K18, Brazilian bond-building treatments, gentle formulas and expert timing to maintain maximum strength, elasticity and resilience. Our personalized approach ensures your blonde remains beautiful and healthy long after your salon visit.
Are there alternatives to bleach?
Yes — while bleach is the most powerful lightening agent, it’s not the only option. For clients who want a gentler approach or just a subtle lift, we can use high-lift tints, lightening creams or even strategic placement of highlights or face-framing. These alternatives are ideal for more natural results or when hair health is a priority.
What results can I expect from bleaching?
- Level of lift: Depending on your natural color, hair history and desire, we can lift up to 7–9 levels lighter.
- Warm undertones: All hair lightens through red, orange and yellow stages. That’s why we tone after bleaching.
- Custom finish: From honey caramel to soft champagne to platinum, the final look depends on how we tone and gloss your hair post-bleach.
Bleaching as part of a full coloring plan
Bleaching is rarely a stand-alone treatment. It’s usually the foundation for services like balayage, highlights or dimensional coloring. Combined with a toner or glossing, it creates a long-lasting, blended and multi-tonal effect.
How often is it safe to bleach your hair?
In most cases, we recommend limiting bleaching sessions to 2–4 times per year. Maintenance in between is done through toners, glosses or low-impact lightening techniques. At BRUSH, our goal is to maximize color impact while minimizing chemical stress. We tailor your color plan based on the strength and resilience of your hair.
How do I know if my hair is healthy enough for bleach?
Before every lightening treatment, we perform a strand and scalp analysis to assess elasticity, porosity and previous damage. Healthy hair stretches slightly when wet and doesn’t break easily. If your hair feels rough, mushy when wet, or snaps easily, we’ll advise rebuilding treatments before any bleach is applied.
Bleaching and grey hair
Many people think grey hair can’t be bleached—but it can. In fact, grey or white hair can lift beautifully, but it requires expert handling to ensure evenness and tone. At BRUSH, we often use soft bleach techniques to blend greys seamlessly into a dimensional blonde.
Bleaching with sensitive scalp or allergies
If you have a sensitive scalp, allergies or are pregnant, we offer tailored alternatives such as semi-permanent colors, face-framing techniques, or ammonia-free lighteners. Always let us know during your consultation. Lastly we can use 'in-foil' techniques that the bleach will never touch the scalp.
What about hair care after bleaching?
Post-bleach care is everything. We’ll guide you with BRUSH-approved routines: bond-repairing masks, sulfate-free shampoos, and UV protection. This extends the life of your blonde and keeps your hair strong and shiny.
FAQs about bleaching
- Can anyone bleach their hair?
- Most hair types can be bleached safely if the hair is in good condition. We always recommend a consultation first to assess what your hair can handle.
- How long does bleaching take?
- Anywhere between 45 minutes to 3+ hours, depending on your starting color, hair density, and desired lift.
- Does bleaching hurt?
- You may feel some warmth or tingling, especially at the roots, but it should never burn. Let your colorist know if anything feels uncomfortable.
- How often can I bleach my hair?
- We recommend spacing bleaching sessions by at least 8–10 weeks to allow hair to recover and maintain health.
- Can I bleach my hair at home?
- We strongly advise against DIY bleaching. Uneven lift, breakage, scalp burns and color banding are common mistakes. Trust a salon expert—like our BRUSH color specialists—for professional results.
- How is bleaching different from high-lifting color?
- High-lift color can lighten natural hair by a few levels, but it’s not as strong or effective as bleach. Bleaching is necessary for significant lift or when hair has been previously colored.
- Is it better to bleach clean or dirty hair?
- Slightly dirty hair (1–2 days unwashed) offers natural protection to the scalp, but it shouldn’t be overly oily or full of product build-up.
- Can I swim after bleaching my hair?
- Wait at least 72 hours. Chlorine or saltwater can alter your color or cause dryness—so always use a UV-protective leave-in before swimming.
- Can I bleach if I have a sensitive scalp?
- Yes, but it needs to be done with extra care. At BRUSH, we have gentle alternatives and can perform a patch test to ensure comfort.
- Is there a bleach-free way to go blonde?
- Depending on your natural hair level and goals, yes. We sometimes use high-lift tint or subtle foils for a soft lightening effect. But for dramatic blonde transformations, bleach is often required.
- How often is it safe to bleach your hair?
- Ideally no more than 2–4 times per year for full-head lightening. In between, we maintain your blonde with glosses, toners and smart placement techniques.
- How do I know if my hair is strong enough to bleach?
- We perform a detailed analysis of your hair's elasticity, porosity, and past chemical history during your consultation. If needed, we create a care plan first to rebuild strength before bleaching.
Ready to go blonde the healthy way?
Whether you're transitioning to blonde for the first time or correcting a past experience, we’re here to guide you. Book a personalized consultation and discover how our BRUSH-expertise can bring your blonde vision to life.
