Hair Breakage from Bleach

by Natalie
(UK)

I have bleached highlights done with foils, just on the roots, not taken through to the ends, plus a level 6-7 ash brown lowlight to match my natural colour. I only had my crown section done. Whatever was left out the foils and all underneath is my natural hair colour.

I've noticed hair breakage over the last 2-3 years. My hair has always been fine but never this bad. I want a pale ash blonde/platinum but they always look yellow or brassy/orange when they're used on me. I've tried 12/1 in Wella but it doesn't go creamy like bleach. I am also concerned that if I leave the bleach in too long, my roots and ends will be two different shades and won't look right.

Can anyone help who has been in a similar situation or recommend what to do. I'd like to achieve a light blonde color without it looking grey or lilacy or pink. Thanks!

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You might want to address your hair breakage first. Your hair should not be breaking off, even if its a fine texture. Your hair porosity may be what's causing your hair breakage. Other things that can cause it are tight hair bands, combing dry hair, brushing wet hair, overprocessing, using too much heat, and generally mistreating your hair.

To stop hair breakage in its tracks and to correct porosity, you should invest in a few good deep conditioning protein treatments. These should include protein and moisture.


The top layer of your hair looks very light, compared to your natural color. Fine hair is especially susceptible to damage from bleach, as it only has two layers. If protein isn't added to your hair regularly, it will start breaking off and continue to happen, as long as you continue to bleach or use high lift colors and don't deep condition. Some good protein conditioners to use are Redken Extreme CAT Protein Restructuring Treatment and Davines Rest Deep Restructuring Serum.

After you have done a few good treatments, you might want to use a higher lift peroxide (like a 40 volume) with a lower level hair color (like a level 10 or 9), instead of using bleach. This too however, can be damaging if done too often. You are not overlapping so my hat's off to you for that, but you do need to slow down on how often you process your hair.

* Hint: To keep from getting strange colors like lilac or pink, don't mix color bases! And always do a strand test before adding color to hair that's clearly visible!

Also, to get your hair colors a creamy consistency, use cream peroxides with cream or liquid colors.

* Thanks for adding the great picture!