Does bleach damage the hair?

If not done correctly, Pulitano explains that bleaching your hair can absolutely be damaging. “The process of bleaching opens up the hair cuticles to dissolve the melanin that gives your hair its color,” he explains. “If not done carefully, it can leave the hair porous, dry, and brittle. However, a professional colorist will be able to keep your hair healthy using a gentle technique, the right products, and treatments to repair your hair post-bleach.” That said, proceed with caution if you just can’t make it to a salon.

How often should you use bleach?

When it comes to how often you’ll need to bleach your hair, Pulitano says it depends on what look you’re trying to achieve, how the bleach is being used, and your hair type. “It will vary each time, and a professional colorist will let you know how often they need to see you,” he says.

How do you bleach safely at home?

In general, Pulitano (like most professionals, TBH) doesn’t recommend attempting a bleach job at home yourself. “It’s the strongest coloring product we use as professionals, and when misused, it can cause some serious damage—not to mention mess around with your color,” he says. “Things like breakage, yellow or orange tones, and patchy color are all risks.” He also mentions that getting it professionally fixed post-DIY sesh can sometimes be more costly than seeing a stylist for the initial job. Still, we understand the urge to take matters into our own hands, especially if getting to a salon isn’t possible. If you’re going to take the plunge, we recommend following the package directions closely (especially when it comes to process time) and being sure to apply the bleach one inch from your scalp down to your ends first, going back to apply to the roots once the rest of your hair is saturated. Once you're finished processing, be sure to shampoo your hair thoroughly.

The 9 Best Professional Hair Bleaches in 2021

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.

For those of you who have mastered the DIY hair color world, we applaud you. And if you’ve truly nailed the game, you likely already know that using professional-grade hair color (versus the boxed stuff you can get at any drugstore or beauty store) is a game-changer. This holds particularly true when it comes to hair bleach, which is one of the most powerful chemicals colorists can use.

The big caveat? If used incorrectly, it can lead to hair damage, scalp irritation, and more. “Bleaching hair at home is very risky,” cautions Kristen Fleming, color director at 3rd Coast Salon in Chicago. “It’s an especially unpredictable process if you already have color in your hair, in which case it really is best to leave it up to the pros. That being said, if you do feel confident that you know what you’re doing, choosing a quality pro-level product will further help set you up for success.

With the help of Fleming, we rounded up the best professional hair bleaches that offer a little something for every type of hair lightening want and need, while John Pulitano, stylist and creative director of Headcase Hair in Sydney, Australia, answered all of our burning bleach-related questions. Read all about it, below.

Meet the Expert

Kristen Fleming is the hair color director at 3rd Coast Hair Salon in Chicago. She has over 15 years of professional experience and was named a top colorist in Chicago.

John Pulitano is a stylist and the co-owner and creative director of Headcase Hair, a salon in Sydney, Australia.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Wella Professionals Blondor Lightening Powder at Amazon

This lightening powder is potent enough to work on virgin hair and pre-colored strands.

Best Budget:

Manic Panic Flash Lightning Hair Bleach Kit at Amazon

Wallet-friendly, this kit comes with everything you need, including cream developer, mixing tub, cap, gloves, and more.

Best Cream:

Joico Vero K-PAK Crème Lightener at Sleekshop.com

This tube deposits lightener to hair, as well as scalp-friendly ingredients like vitamin E, shea butter, and jojoba oil.

Best for Dark Hair:

Clairol Professional BW2 Lightener at Amazon

This extra-strength lightener is the choice for those with deep brown or even black strands looking to go lighter.

Best Powder:

Wella Professionals Color Charm Powder Lightener at Sallybeauty.com

A powder formula, this product delivers controlled lightening, making it ideal for bleaching, highlights, or dark root re-growth.

Best for Platinum Hair:

Schwarzkopf Blonde Me Premium Lift 9 at Amazon

This formula offers up to nine levels of lift, which makes it powerful enough to help you go platinum.

Best for Brows:

Jolen Creme Bleach Original Formula at Walgreens

Formulated for sensitive skin (thanks aloe), this no-drip formula is ideal for applying to brows.

Best for Shine:

Pravana PURE LIGHT Ultra Lightener at Amazon

This powder lightener can lift color up to nine levels, and help to counteract the dullness and dryness of hair.

Best for Cool Blondes:

CHI Blondest Blonde Lightening System at Cosmoprofbeauty.com

An ammonia-free formula, this product provides maximum lightening by targeting the hair follicle.

In This Article

Our Picks
Final Verdict
What to Look for
Why Trust Byrdie

Wella Professionals Blondor Multi-Blonde Lightening Powder

View On Amazon

What We Like

Lifts hair up to seven levels
Contains anti-yellowing pigments
Dust-free formula

What We Don't Like

Must purchase developer separately

No matter whether you’re lightening virgin (AKA never colored) hair or pre-colored strands, this will get the job done, lifting the hair to seven levels. Shoppers love it, consistently giving it five stars and raving about its efficacy, and Fleming also calls it a “fantastic at-home option.” FYI, the powder itself is a bluish-purple, and also contains anti-yellowing pigments, which are great for keeping your new blonde hue fresh and vibrant and warding off any brassiness.

Size: 28.2 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No

Manic Panic Flash Lightning Hair Bleach Kit

View On Amazon View On Manicpanic.com View On Walmart

What We Like

Comes with everything you need, including developer and tools
Contains helpful, thorough instructions
Clean, vegan, and cruelty-free

What We Don't Like

Only lifts five levels

Not only is this pick affordable, but it also comes with everything you need—we’re talking a cream developer, mixing tub, cap, gloves, and even a brush (plus very helpful instructions). Since it only lifts five levels, it won’t get you super blonde, but if you’re looking for a more subtle change—without blowing the bank—this can’t be beaten. We also appreciate that it’s vegan, cruelty-free, and PETA-certified.

Size: 4.05 oz (developer), 1.27 oz. (bleach powder) | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

View On Sleekshop.com View On Walmart

What We Like

Contains hair and scalp-nourishing ingredients
Easy to control cream formula
Works very fast

What We Don't Like

Not many uses per tube

The ingredients in this bleach read more like something you’d find in your face moisturizer. We’re talking fatty acids, vitamin E, shea butter, and jojoba oil, all of which give this its ultra-creamy consistency. As a result, it’s both super easy to use (no worrying about drips) and nourishes your scalp and protects hair, too. Heads up: it works fast.

Size: 10.5 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No

For safety reasons, it’s imperative to always wear gloves: “The product can start to eat away at your skin and create bubbly white burns if you’re not protected,” warns Fleming. Because ammonia is one of the harshest bleaching ingredients out there, choosing an at-home bleach that’s ammonia-free is also a safer route to go, she adds.

View On Amazon View On Overstock View On Sallybeauty.com

What We Like

Extra-strength formula designed for darker hair
Tub contains eight uses worth of product
Dust-free formula

What We Don't Like

Must purchase developer separately

Specially made to be extra-strength for dark hair, this is choice for those with deep brown or even black strands looking to go lighter. While yes, it may take a few rounds to get to your desired blonde shade, this option is the way to go. Not to mention that one eight-ounce tub contains about eight uses worth, plenty of product to help you achieve your lightest color. Reviewers—with all different hair colors—call out how well and quickly it works, but do say that it has a strong and distinct smell.

Size: 8 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes

View On Sallybeauty.com View On Walmart

What We Like

Lifts up to seven levels
Protective oil system locks in moisture
Works fast

What We Don't Like

Must purchase developer separately

This dust-free powder delivers controlled lightening (up to seven levels), making it ideal for all-over bleaching, highlights, or just to knock out dark root re-growth. Thanks to its protective oil system, it helps lock in moisture, a major win since bleaching can lead to seriously dry strands. Loyal reviewers love it, and repeatedly note how fast it works, too.

Size: 16 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes

View On Amazon View On Sleekshop.com

What We Like

Lifts up to nine levels
Tinted blue to neutralize brassiness
Less damaging to hair than most strong bleaches (when used correctly)

What We Don't Like

May irritate scalp

Icy, platinum shades are all the rage in the hair color world, and this option makes it easy to achieve those dramatic tones. It offers up to nine levels of lift, the most of any product in this round-up. Since it is so powerful, it can be irritating if you get it on your scalp, and reviewers note that it’s best to use a developer from this same brand for the best results, rather than mixing and matching.

Size: 15.8 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No

View On Walgreens

What We Like

No-drip formula
Infused with aloe to prevent irritation
Comes with everything you need

What We Don't Like

May cause itching during use

If you're bleaching your hair, you might be considering lightening your brows too. Given that hair bleaches are so intense, you definitely don’t want to use any of those on your face or body. Enter this pick. The no-drip formula is specially made for sensitive skin, and it’s infused with aloe. Use it for your brows or lighten dark hair and make it less noticeable elsewhere on your body, like your arms and legs.

Size: 4 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes

View On Amazon

What We Like

Lifts up to nine levels
Contains amino acids
Leaves hair shiny

What We Don't Like

Expensive

Not only does this lift up to nine levels, but it also helps counteract the dullness and dryness that can come with going so light. A unique Reunite Mending Technology touts amino acids (the building blocks of the protein that make up our hair), helping to seal the cuticle. As a reminder, the cuticle is the outermost layer of the hair (bleaching lifts and opens it) and a closed cuticle means hair looks healthy and super shiny, which is just what this technology helps to do.

Size: 16 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes

CHI Blondest Blonde Ionic Lightening System

View On Cosmoprofbeauty.com

What We Like

Lifts hair up to eight levels sans ammonia
Contains cool-toned pigments to neutralize brassiness

What We Don't Like

Must have a license or be a student to purchase

Even though this formula is ammonia-free, it can still lift hair to an impressive eight levels. Thanks to far-infrared, it provides maximum penetration and lightens from the inside-out, with cool-toned pigments that help neutralize the unwanted warm tones that are the bane of any cool blonde’s existence. Also nice: It comes in both cream and powder versions.

Size: 8 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Final Verdict

For both those who have never colored their hair and those who are coloring and/or bleaching pros, the Wella Professionals Blondor Multi-Blonde Lightening Powder is ideal. It can lighten hair up to seven levels and helps keep your newly bleached hue crisp and vibrant, thanks to the addition of anti-yellowing purple pigments. If you have dark hair, try the Clairol Professional BW2 Lightener. Both of these are powder formulas, so if you prefer a cream, consider the Joico Vero K-PAK Créme Lightener or the L’Oréal Blond Studio Platinum Plus Lightening Creme, the latter of which is also ammonia-free.

What to Look for In a Professional Hair Bleach

Conditioning Additives

According to Fleming, seeking out formulas that have conditioning or hydrating ingredients mixed in directly with the bleach is a good way to help minimize the likelihood of hair damage from the get-go. Even better, she says, are formulas that have a reparative built-in bond builder built-in.

Avoid Ammonia

If you really want to play it safe, stick with ammonia-free formulas or any at-home bleach that comes with a developer higher than 20 volume, advises Fleming. This is beneficial both for ensuring safety and that you don’t inadvertently end up over-lightening or completely stripping your hair.

FAQ

Does bleach damage the hair?

If not done correctly, Pulitano explains that bleaching your hair can absolutely be damaging. “The process of bleaching opens up the hair cuticles to dissolve the melanin that gives your hair its color,” he explains. “If not done carefully, it can leave the hair porous, dry, and brittle. However, a professional colorist will be able to keep your hair healthy using a gentle technique, the right products, and treatments to repair your hair post-bleach.” That said, proceed with caution if you just can’t make it to a salon.
How often should you use bleach?

When it comes to how often you’ll need to bleach your hair, Pulitano says it depends on what look you’re trying to achieve, how the bleach is being used, and your hair type. “It will vary each time, and a professional colorist will let you know how often they need to see you,” he says.
How do you bleach safely at home?

In general, Pulitano (like most professionals, TBH) doesn’t recommend attempting a bleach job at home yourself. “It’s the strongest coloring product we use as professionals, and when misused, it can cause some serious damage—not to mention mess around with your color,” he says. “Things like breakage, yellow or orange tones, and patchy color are all risks.” He also mentions that getting it professionally fixed post-DIY sesh can sometimes be more costly than seeing a stylist for the initial job.
Still, we understand the urge to take matters into our own hands, especially if getting to a salon isn’t possible. If you’re going to take the plunge, we recommend following the package directions closely (especially when it comes to process time) and being sure to apply the bleach one inch from your scalp down to your ends first, going back to apply to the roots once the rest of your hair is saturated. Once you're finished processing, be sure to shampoo your hair thoroughly.

According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find any professional hair bleach from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.

Why Trust Byrdie

Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. Since she doesn’t lighten her own hair at home, she tapped her long-time colorist to provide expert intel for this article.

The 15 Best Ammonia-Free Hair Dyes for Healthy Hair

The 9 Best Professional Hair Bleaches for Scoring Lighter Strands

Best Overall: Wella Professionals Blondor Multi-Blonde Lightening Powder

Best Budget: Manic Panic Flash Lightning Hair Bleach Kit

Best Cream: Joico Vero K-PAK Crème Lightener

Best for Dark Hair: Clairol Professional BW2 Lightener

Best Powder: Wella Professionals Color Charm Powder Lightener

Best for Platinum Hair: Schwarzkopf Blonde Me Premium Lift 9

Best for Brows: Jolen Creme Bleach Original Formula

Best for Shine: Pravana PURE LIGHT Ultra Lightener

Best for Cool Blondes: CHI Blondest Blonde Ionic Lightening System

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