Does bleach damage the hair?

If not done correctly, stylist John 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.” 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 processing time) and being sure to apply the bleach one inch from your scalp down to your ends at first and then 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.

Is bleaching your hair worth it?

That depends on how light you want to go. If you're looking to lighten slightly and want to go the DIY route to save money, bleaching your hair at home can certainly be worth it. But if youre looking to lighten more dramatically, and worried about causing damage, it might be best to see a professional.

What is the difference between a lightener and bleach?

Lightening products reduce the pigment in the hair, while bleach strips it out completely. Bleaching, in other words, is much more dramatic and allows the hair to get much lighter.

How long does it take to bleach your hair and how long does it last?

A single bleach treatment can last anywhere from five minutes to a couple of hours (though some people need to get more treatments in order to go lighter). Once bleached, hair doesn't return to its natural color until it has grown out. So, in order to go back, you'll need to wait on the hair to grow out.

Does hair bleach hurt?

Bleaching can hurt the scalp, particularly if you aren't using the appropriate product (i.e. one that is meant specifically for close or direct contact with the scalp). Hair bleach products contain strong chemicals so it's not uncommon to feel a tingling sensation when the product is applied.

13 Best Professional Hair Bleaches of 2024, Expert-Backed

Collage of professional hair bleaches we recommend on a cloudy background — Byrdie / Kevin Liang

While salon coloring and at-home dye jobs provide the same general result (different colored hair) the former tends to have a better outcome—especially when it involves bleach. This is partly because stylists are trained and experienced in how to correctly (and evenly) lighten hair to the level it needs to be to produce the resulting color you want.

"Choosing the best lightener and developer is challenging," says color specialist Jodana Geary. "And you may end up with an unwanted result that compromises the condition of your hair." Additionally, the lighteners used at salons are of a different caliber than what you find on a drugstore shelf. "Pro bleaching products typically have more lifting power to them," explains celebrity colorist Matt Rez. However, he advises against using them at home and instead says to ask your stylist if they can lighten your hair with a particular brand.

According to Geary, pro-level bleaches contain high-quality ingredients that help colorists achieve their clients' desired results while protecting the hair's integrity. "Professional lighteners include clay, cream, or powder formulas and come in different strengths, achieving anywhere from six to nine levels of lift," she tells Byrdie.

With these expert tips in mind, we researched the best professional bleaches on the market, evaluating each based on their ingredients, ability to lift, and more. After getting specific recommendations from professional colorists and considering dozens of options, we landed on these top-rated pro choices.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Wella Professionals Blondor Lightening Powder at Sleekshop.com (See Price)

Jump to Review

Best Budget:

L'Oréal Super Oreal Blanc Professional Powder Bleach at Amazon ($8)

Jump to Review

Best Gentle:

Sparks Professional Color Powder Lightener at Amazon ($7)

Jump to Review

Best for All-Over Blonde:

Redken Flash Lift Bonder Inside at Saloncentric.com (See Price)

Jump to Review

Best for Brown Hair:

Schwarzkopf Blonde Me Premium Lift 9 at Brightonbeautysupply.com (See Price)

Jump to Review

Best for Platinum Hair:

L'Anza Healing Blonde Ultra Blonding Decolorizer at Pandorabeauty.com (See Price)

Jump to Review

Best for Balayage:

Clairol Professional BW2 Lightener at Amazon ($19)

Jump to Review

Best for Highlights:

Clairol Professional Basic White Extra Strength Powder Lightener at Amazon ($28)

Jump to Review

Best Blue:

Salon Care Professional Blue Flash Powder Lightener at Amazon ($25)

Jump to Review

Runner-Up, Best Blue:

L'Oréal Paris Quick Blue Powder Bleach at Amazon ($20)

Jump to Review

Best Overall

Wella Professionals Blondor Lightening Powder

Wella Professionals Blondor Multi-Blonde Lightening Powder

PHOTO:

Walmart

View on Sleekshop.com

What We Like

Gentle formula
Anti-yellowing agents
Colorist-recommended

What to Consider

Developer sold separately

Celebrity colorist Reece Walker loves Wella Blondor for foil highlights, though it can be used for balayage, ombré color, or all-over lightening. "It's gentle on the hair and gives you incredible lift without having to use a high-volume peroxide," he tells Byrdie. "I also use this bleach for my clients' scalps when their natural hair is light brown."

The powder is a bluish-purple hue, which counteracts the yellow, orange, and brassy tones that are often seen on chemically lightened hair.However, the developer is sold separately (which is true for most of the products on this list), so don’t forget to pop that in your shopping cart, too.

Who It’s For

Whether your hair has been bleached too many times to count or you're a lightening novice, this formula will get the job done—potentially with less damage.

Best Budget

L'Oréal Super Oreal Blanc Professional Powder Bleach

L'Oreal Super Oreal Blanc Professional Powder Bleach

PHOTO:

Amazon

$8 at Amazon $8 at Walmart $7 at Sallybeauty.com

What We Like

Lightens up to seven levels
Dust-free
Non-drippy mix

What to Consider

Developer sold separately

L'Oréal makes one of the more affordable professional bleaches out there. Super Oreal Blanc is a dust-free powder formula, meaning it's supposed to limit the particles you inhale while getting your hair done (inhaling bleach can irritate the respiratory system).It mixes into a non-drippy, workable paste and offers up to seven levels of lift. Again, you’ll need to get a developer separately.

Who It’s For

This is our favorite product for those bleaching at home on a budget.

Best Gentle

Sparks Professional Color Powder Lightener

PHOTO:

Amazon

$6 at Amazon

What We Like

Dust-free
Anti-yellowing agents
Replenishes hair fibers with amino acids

What to Consider

Developer sold separately
Some users complained of chemical smell

This ultra-fine, dust-free powder lightener from Sparks has a light blue hue but it’s not to make it look pretty. In addition to lifting to eight levels, the cool tone helps cancel out yellowish, brassy colors. What's more, this professional bleach calls on amino acids, the building blocks of proteins that contribute to the strength and structure of hair, to reinforce and protect each strand from damage.

Who It’s For

If your hair is fine and fragile or dry and brittle, this gentle formula with amino acids will help prevent damage during the bleaching process. However, if you’re sensitive to intense smells, you might want to avoid this one as some users said it can be overwhelming.

Best for All-Over Blonde

Redken Flash Lift Bonder Inside

PHOTO:

Walmart

View on Saloncentric.com

What We Like

Colorist-recommended
Protects bond fibers
Built-in measuring cup

What to Consider

Not DIY-friendly

If serious lift and an all-over blonde hue are your goal, reach for this bleaching formula from Redken. It comes highly recommended by Rez, who loves that it can lift up to eight levels while also offering a bonus bond builder, which works to repair broken bonds in the hair, effectively restoring and strengthening it. “It keeps fibers in the hair strong without having to use a higher-volume developer," he adds. Although it’s not designed for DIY use, many reviewers report great results with at-home use.

Who It’s For

For a total blonde look without the associating damage, this formula with a built-in bond builder can’t be beaten.

Best for Brown Hair

Schwarzkopf Blonde Me Premium Lift 9

PHOTO:

Amazon

View on Brightonbeautysupply.com

What We Like

Dust-free
Neutralizes brassiness
Colorist-recommended

What to Consider

Contains mineral oil
Developer sold separately

Taking brunette hair from dark to light, especially if it’s been previously colored, can be a tricky and potentially damaging process. Enter Schwarzkopf Blonde Me Premium Lift 9, a protective lightener with bonding technology to reduce breakage and anti-yellow agents to remove warm undertones from dark hair.

"This is amazing for breaking through previously colored dark hair when doing heavier freehand work or on-scalp bleaching for my naturally dark brown and black-haired clients," says celebrity colorist Reece Walker. We don’t love that it contains mineral oil (a byproduct of petroleum that may be carcinogenic).

Who It’s For

Brunettes looking for significant lift without the risk of damage should opt for this formula with bonding technology.

Best for Platinum Hair

L'Anza Healing Blonde Ultra Blonding Decolorizer

PHOTO:

Walmart

View on Pandorabeauty.com

What We Like

Anti-yellowing agents
Supports hair elasticity
Built-in bond builder

What to Consider

Developer sold separately

If you're going platinum blonde, you'll need a bleach that offers the maximum number of lift levels (nine), as well as ingredients that protect the hair fibers. L'Anza's Healing Blonde does both. Amino acid L-arginine helps fortify your hair and make it more elastic while a bond-building formula reduces the risk of damage. This decolorizer also contains bluish anti-yellowing pigments to achieve that ultra-cool platinum finish.

Who It’s For

This ultra-lifting, strengthening “decolorizer” will help you achieve the platinum blonde hue of your dreams.

Best for Balayage

Clairol Professional BW2 Lightener

PHOTO:

Amazon

$19 at Amazon $38 at Sallybeauty.com

What We Like

Dust-free
Stays moist after mixing
Works on very dark hair

What to Consider

Developer sold separately
Strong smell

Thinking about going for balayage hair? BW2 is where we’d turn. The dust-free powder contains humectants (moisturizers that pull water from the air) to ensure a continually creamy consistency after mixing. This makes it easier to achieve the hand-painted, sweeping effect that gives lightened hair natural-looking depth and dimension. Just know this lightener has a strong smell so make sure there’s good ventilation in your bathroom.

Who It’s For

This creamy, moisture-rich formula lends itself to hand-painted highlights like balayage.

Best for Highlights

Clairol Professional Basic White Extra Strength Powder Lightener

PHOTO:

Amazon

$28 at Amazon $21 at Sallybeauty.com

What We Like

Dust-free
Creamy when mixed
Controlled lift

What to Consider

Developer sold separately
Strong smell

Highlights can be challenging to pull off, especially when you’re painting them at home. You want a super-strong formula that is also dust-free to reduce flyaway Clairol Basic White is a great choice for creating highlights. The extra-strength powder is de-dusted to minimize particles in the air, and, thanks to a moisture-sealing humectant, it stays consistently creamy after mixing. You will need to get a developer separately, though.

Who It’s For

If you’re hoping for a fullproof way to create natural-looking lustrous highlights, this moisturizing formula won’t let you down.

Best Blue

Salon Care Professional Blue Flash Powder Lightener

PHOTO:

Amazon

$25 at Amazon $27 at Sallybeauty.com

What We Like

Anti-yellowing agents
Creamy when mixed
Minimal swelling

What to Consider

Not DIY-friendly
Developer sold separately

If you want to make sure your highlighted or all-over platinum hair doesn't have a yellow tint, consider bleach with blue pigments, like Blue Flash. This powder lightener contains ultramarine, a mineral-sourced cobalt-colored pigment that counteracts yellowish, brassy tones. It also promises to minimize swelling of the hair shaft, which can ultimately be damaging. This one isn't suitable for at-home use, so make sure you consult with your stylist before using.

Who It’s For

If you want to remove yellow or brassy hues from your hair, this blue-toned formula should do the trick.

Runner-Up, Best Blue

L'Oréal Paris Quick Blue Powder Bleach

PHOTO:

Amazon

$20 at Amazon

What We Like

Dust-free
Very large container
Controlled lift

What to Consider

Developer sold separately

This blue pick also works to fight brassy and yellow tones, and it's dust-free for safe application. We especially love that you get a whole 16 ounces worth of it for less than $20. Reviewers love that the mix stays creamy throughout processing and that it's able to lighten very dark hair efficiently and easily. They didn’t think it worked well at stripping out red hair color though.

Who It’s For

We love this product for hair with warm undertones. It’s especially great for brunettes aiming for an icy blonde result.

Best Cream

Ion Color Brilliance Bright White Creme Lightener

PHOTO:

Amazon

$17 at Amazon $17 at Sallybeauty.com

What We Like

Soothes with Chamomile flower
Rich formula moisturizes with sunflower oil
Replenishes hair fibers

What to Consider

Developer sold separately
Contains PEGs

Prefer a cream formula? Consider Ion Bright White. Though it still needs to be mixed with a developer, the smooth, moist consistency, chamomile flower extract, and sunflower seed oil helps condition and soften your hair while it's being treated. Not only that, but it contains keratin to replenish and strengthen each strand. We just wish it didn’t contain PEGs, which have been linked to cancer.

Who It’s For

This cream bleach is enhanced with keratin to strengthen and condition the hair as you lighten it.

Best De-Dusted Powder

Matrix Light Master V-Light Lightener with Controlled Lift

PHOTO:

Walmart

View on Theblowdryer.com View on Beautyhive.com

What We Like

Mess-free mixing
Spreads smoothly
Lifts up to seven levels

What to Consider

Developer sold separately
Long processing time

Matrix Light Master is de-dusted for easy, mess-free mixing while also minimizing the bleach particles that get into your airways. It spreads smoothly and offers up to seven levels of controlled, precise lift. This product takes a little longer to process and is intended for professional use only, so work with your stylist for the best results.

Who It’s For

If you’re concerned about the potential health impact of inhaling bleach particles, this de-dusted formula will provide peace of mind.

Best Ammonia-Free

ion Ammonia-Free Powder Lightener

ion Color Brilliance Ammonia-Free Powder Lightener

PHOTO:

Sally Beauty

$27 at Sallybeauty.com

What We Like

Minimizes damage
Dust-free
Formulated with natural oils

What to Consider

Developer sold separately

Ammonia is a common chemical used in lightening products. It opens the hair cuticle so color can be deposited, but has also been linked to some not-so-nice side effects, including respiratory irritation and hair damage. If you’d rather avoid the chemical altogether, this ammonia-free formula is the way to go. It's able to lift seven levels and also contains plant oils like coconut, chia seed, and sunflower to condition and protect the scalp.

Who It’s For

If you’re sensitive to ammonia, or would just rather avoid it altogether, then you’ll appreciate this ammonia-free lightener.

Where We Stand

Overall, our favorite professional hair bleach is Wella Blondor Powder Lightener, a colorist-recommended formula that offers gentle lifting while minimizing yellowish tones. We also love our budget pick, L'Oréal Super Oreal Blanc Professional Powder Bleach, a dust-free powder formula with seven levels of lift.

How We Researched

To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best professional hair bleaches available to non-professionals, evaluating their key features such as formula type and strength, ingredients, and lift level. We considered reviews from customers and other trusted sources, such as fellow editors. We also consulted experts, such as professional stylists, for their opinions. We then used this research to choose the best picks to inform this article.

The attributes we evaluated each professional hair bleach on:

Formula type
Hair care ingredients
Lift level
Overall effectiveness

What to Look for in a Professional Hair Bleach

Conditioning Additives: According to hair color director Kristen 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 damage from the get-go. Even better, she says, are formulas that have a reparative built-in bond builder, like Redken Flash Lift Bonder Inside.
Avoid Ammonia: If you want to play it safe, stick with ammonia-free formulas like ion Color Brilliance Ammonia-Free Powder Lightener or any at-home bleach that comes with a developer higher than 20 volume, Fleming advises. This helps ensure safety and that you don’t inadvertently end up over-lightening or completely stripping your hair.
Consider Your Hair Type: Hair that's ultra-thick, ultra-dark, or has been colored a lot in the past will require a bleaching product that can lift several levels lighter (as much as eight). So look for a powerful product that won't damage or strip the hair. If you have a hairstyle that requires bleaching very close to the scalp (i.e. very short or buzzed hair), you'll want to look for a product with a bond protectant like Schwarzkopf Blonde Me Premium Lift 9, which will help ensure the skin stays healthy and unharmed.
Prepping Hair for Bleaching: The best way to prepare hair for bleaching is to avoid heat styling or chemical treatments for a week prior, to ensure the hair is in a fairly healthy state. You'll also want to moisturize ahead of time, as bleaching is an incredibly drying process. As for whether hair should be clean or dirty before bleaching, that is up for debate—though most stylists agree it's best not to wash your hair for a day or two prior, to ensure you have enough natural oils to protect your follicles before stripping the hair.
After You Bleach: If you're getting a cut the same day, most stylists will wait until after the bleaching is done to cut the hair. This allows them to cut off any damage that may come as a result of the bleaching, and ensure the hair looks its healthiest. Also after you bleach, avoid washing your hair for the first 48-72 hours. Once you go back to shampooing, do it less often, aiming for every other day or less, but be sure to condition frequently.
To DIY or Not: Bleaching the hair is a big step and one that should not be taken lightly. If you're doing it at home and plan on going really light (from dark brown to blonde, for instance), there’s a good chance you won’t get the results you want and therefore may need a salon visit (a costly one) to fix any damage (it’s called a color correction). So in a way, a DIY bleach job could be much costlier than simply visiting a salon in the first place. But if you're only lightening slightly, just highlighting a small area, or are okay with growing out a bleach job you aren't 100% happy with, a DIY experiment might be a good option.

FAQ

Does bleach damage the hair?

If not done correctly, stylist John 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.”
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 processing time) and being sure to apply the bleach one inch from your scalp down to your ends at first and then 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.
Is bleaching your hair worth it?

That depends on how light you want to go. If you're looking to lighten slightly and want to go the DIY route to save money, bleaching your hair at home can certainly be worth it. But if youre looking to lighten more dramatically, and worried about causing damage, it might be best to see a professional.
What is the difference between a lightener and bleach?

Lightening products reduce the pigment in the hair, while bleach strips it out completely. Bleaching, in other words, is much more dramatic and allows the hair to get much lighter.
How long does it take to bleach your hair and how long does it last?

A single bleach treatment can last anywhere from five minutes to a couple of hours (though some people need to get more treatments in order to go lighter). Once bleached, hair doesn't return to its natural color until it has grown out. So, in order to go back, you'll need to wait on the hair to grow out.
Does hair bleach hurt?

Bleaching can hurt the scalp, particularly if you aren't using the appropriate product (i.e. one that is meant specifically for close or direct contact with the scalp). Hair bleach products contain strong chemicals so it's not uncommon to feel a tingling sensation when the product is applied.

Why Trust Byrdie

Byrdie contributor Theresa Holland is a freelance commerce writer specializing in beauty and lifestyle. She interviewed multiple experts for this story, including two celebrity colorists and one color specialist, who offered insight into usage and product recommendations. Next, she reviewed many formulas, combed through ingredients lists, and referenced several scholarly articles before landing on the final selections. Theresa covers haircare, skincare, makeup, and fitness gear at Byrdie.

Additional guidance was provided by: Jodana Geary, a hair color specialist and education manager at Color.Me by Kevin Murphy; Matt Rez, a celebrity colorist and brand ambassador for Redken; Reece Walker, a bi-coastal colorist with celebrity clients including Eva Longoria, Miranda Kerr, and Victoria Beckham; John Pulitano, a stylist and the co-owner and creative director of Headcase Hair salon in Sydney, Australia; Kristen Fleming, the hair color director at 3rd Coast Hair Salon in Chicago.

Byrdie contributor Esme Benjamin checked and updated this article in December 2023 to ensure every detail was correct and each product deserves its place on Byrdie’s list.

Updated by Shannon Stubbs

Edited by Ally Hirschlag

Article Sources

Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.

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