Can you bleach wet or damp hair? Is it dangerous for your hair’s health?

When people ask me this question, I always need a few minutes to think about the answer.

 

It’s because in all my years as a stylist, I have heard many opinions in favor and against it.

I have heard things like:

“Yes. Bleaching definitely takes better in wet hair because the hair fibers are somewhat clogged with water, so it may come into play with the color you want.”

 

I’ve also heard:

“Bleaching wet or damp hair can make your hair fall out faster.” 

 

I was also witness to many bizarre things, the type of things that make my eyes pop out of my head, something similar to the famous show “Ripley’s Believe it or Not.”

“If I bleach my hair while it’s wet, the bleaching mixture yields more. Bye

“Bleaching my hair when it’s still wet, ensures more hydration.”

 

 Beyond what everyone says or popular believe the truth is, it’s not a good idea to bleach wet hair.  

 

What you can do with wet hair is the dying process, even though we are also going to see some differences in this as well.

Do you want to know why it’s not advisable to go through the bleaching process with wet hair?

That’s exactly what I want to talk to you about now.

 

What are the ideal conditions for bleaching your hair?

We all know that the process of bleaching your hair comes with a crucial decision for the person doing it.

It’s a turning point to do it because bleached hair will never go back to its natural color.

That’s why it’s essential to be sure of the optimal conditions for bleaching.

 

When we wash our hair, the hair fibers absorb a part of the water that says within, even when we apply the heat from a hairdryer.

Therefore, these hair fibers that contain water will impede the absorption of the bleach mixture, and don’t forget that this mixture is made by combining bleach dust and hydrogen peroxide.

That’s why, if you have already made the momentous decision to bleach your hair,  , the best thing to do is bleach your hair while it’s dry.  

Now, surely, once you finish bleaching, you’re going to want to immediately dye your hair to get the color you want.

Here’s where things change a bit.

 

Basically due to the type of dye you use to dye your recently bleached hair.

That’s why I want to create a complete report.

One of those where you are left with almost no doubts.

For this, we will distinguish between using semi-permanent dye on wet hair, and using permanent dye on wet hair.

 

Semi-permanent dye on wet hair

Semi-permanent dyes, also known as fantasy, are those that are less aggressive on your hair because they don’t contain hydrogen peroxide or other types of oxidants.

 

They are used mostly by people that aren’t sure what color they want to dye their hair.

And to me it seems perfect that when in doubt, they try with another alternative since generally for extreme changes, it’s best to be very prepared.

Imagine!

 

Your whole life, you were a brunette, and one day, in the mirror, there’s a platinum blonde staring back at you.

For these people, semi-permanent dyes are the best fit.

 

Semi-permanent dye requires wet hair to be applied correctly. That way, its less-aggressive formula can better penetrate the hair fibers.

The disadvantage with this type of dye is that it fades as you wash your hair.

The action of the dye works by depositing pigments in the cuticle of the hair, and it’s because of this that the color doesn’t last as long.

 

Permanent dye

Here’s is where the negatives come in.

 I do not advise using permanent dyes on wet or damp hair. 

 

I’m not saying you can’t do it.

You can do whatever you want with your hair.

I simply advise that you don’t because you won’t get the same results if you dye your hair wet as you would if it were dry.

 

Permanent dyes cling much better to dry hair, basically because of the ammonia that is incorporated in its composition.

That’s why I recommend dying hair with dry hair without washing it because “dirty” hair for lack of a better word has a higher content of sebum, which is key when it comes to protecting the hair fiber from damaging chemicals.

 

If you have decided to bleach, take the necessary precautions to not ruin your hair.

Most of the time, the results are irreversible, and that’s not an exaggeration.

I have seen women depressed because they lost a large amount of hair by bleaching at home without critical information.

 

Beyond what I think and what I’ve said about my experience, I would like to hear your opinions.

So, tell me, when it came time for you to bleach your hair,

Did you do it with wet or dry hair?