Hennatura products are 100% plant based. It is not possible to lighten or bleach hair with 100% natural hair products. People report of having lightened their hair with honey, camomile and olive oil. In fact these natural substances can only enhance golden reflexes. Unfortunately only chemical dyes can strip hair of their natural pigment, and this is a very harsh treatment.
We do not advise to use chemical treatments to your hair. However, we describe here a simple chemical procedure to brighten your hair with hydrogen peroxide for people who are really determined to achieve a light shade with our products. Be aware that this procedure may damage your hair! Good news is that you can restore the health of your hair by applying Hennatura products immediately after.
What is hydrogen peroxide?
Hydrogen peroxide (chemical formula: H2O2) is a colorless liquid, similar to water but with an extra oxygen atom, commonly used in diluted forms (3-10%) for household cleaning and disinfecting. It is a powerful oxidant and bleaching agent. Because it decomposes easily in oxygen and water, it is considered environmentally friendly. In diluted forms as 3% is well tolerated by the skin. However, for brightening hair that is naturally dark, you may need to use stronger concentrations, up to 10%. Always wear gloves as it may irritate your skin, avoid eye contact and if that occurs immediately rinse with fresh water.
When can I use it to brighten my hair?
Use hydrogen peroxide (not more than 10%!) only if:
- You hair is not already chemically dyed
- Your hair is strong and healthy
- Your hair is already dyed with 100% plant based dye
When I should NOT use hydrogen peroxide on my hair
- Your hair is chemically dyed
- Your hair is brittle and thin
- You have experienced adverse reactions to chemical dyes
Dos and don’ts
- Buy pure hydrogen peroxide from a household (online) store
- Wear gloves! You may also want to use a mouth mask, as it is slightly irritating to the airways
- Soak up a soft paper tissue or cotton balls for makeup removal with the liquid and apply to your hair till it is wet
- Wrap your hair with a cloth that you can discard and wear a beanie. The peroxide, just like henna, will be more effective if you keep your hair warm.
- Alternatively, if it is a sunny day, you may just go out and suntan. This will speed up bleaching.
- Keep on your hair as long as you can, up to several hours.
- Wash with shampoo and conditioner and apply your favorite Hennatura product immediately after
- DO NOT use vaporizers to apply the liquid to your hair. The risk is that you may breath it or go in your eyes.
- DO NOT use hair lighteners, as they may contain other chemicals than only hydrogen peroxide
You might have to repeat this procedure a few times if your hair is very dark or if it has been dyed for several years with henna based dyes. Henna coats your hair by strongly binding to it. Brightening your henna hair with hydrogen peroxide normally causes no or very minimal damage.