FAQs On Double Process & Bleach

There’s a lot to consider before deciding to bleach your hair and we’ve compiled a list of FAQs to help you make that fun, but difficult decision! This blog post focuses on double-process all-over blonde transformations, which are different from highlights or balayage. If you’re not sure what you’re looking for, make sure to consult your stylist!

Style icons from Marilyn Monroe to Gwen Stefani (and many more!) have popularized the dramatic hair color transformations that we’re now used to seeing in pop culture and the news. What we’re not used to hearing about is the hours upon hours it takes to execute those transformations. That’s why we hope this post can bring a little more clarity to you and your decision on whether or not you’d like to bleach your hair!

The most important note is that the bleaching process is lengthy, meticulous, and unique to every individual and their hair type. There are no two experiences that are the same and that’s the beauty of hair! That being said, before you decide to go blonde or ask for an icy hue, first understand the challenges and the necessary care that come along with the intricate process of bleaching one’s hair:

Example 1
Stylist: Melisa Màrquez
Total Salon Time: 7 hours

FAQs

How many salon visits will it take get to my desired hair color? — answered by Parlor owner Gwenn LeMoine & stylist Melisa Márquez

It can take multiple salon visits to reach your desired hair color, especially when it’s a dramatic color change.

Parlor stylist, Melisa Márquez, says it’s not surprising if it takes even up to six hours at the salon, especially if you are starting with medium to dark colored hair.

Parlor owner, Gwenn LeMoine, agrees that in some cases it can be best to lift the hair color halfway during the first salon visit and then give the hair time to rejuvenate before the final bleaching process. This will help protect the integrity of the hair in the long run. The second appointment, if needed, will be scheduled a month later and in between the two appointments, it’s recommended that you use the Aveda Botanical Repair Treatment, which helps heal the hair from the bleaching trauma.

How frequently will I need to visit the salon for maintenance? — answered by stylist Melisa Márquez

The frequency of your salon visits depends on many variables, but you’ll likely need to visit the salon every 4-6 weeks if you’d like to stay in the silver color spectrum similar to the photo example above. If you don’t mind embracing your regrowth (aka your roots!), every 12-14 weeks can work as well.

What happens if I’m not able to make it to regular maintenance appointments? — answered by stylist Melisa Márquez

If you’re not able to commit to regular upkeep, we recommend sticking to a lower maintenance hairstyle.

Stylist Melisa Márquez chimes in, “The longer amount of time that spans between maintenance appointments equals more time for your natural hair color to grow back. This is what many people call “seeing roots.” If someone waits too long for their maintenance appointments, the demarcation line will become pronounced and a “band” can possibly form while your stylist works on your retouch. What’s a band? A band is when you can see the two different tones in the hair, even after bleach application.”

This band effect happens in the 8-10 week regrowth window due to the technicalities of the hair coloring process, but fear not! The solution is just to wait a few extra weeks (2-4 to be exact!) so that we can recolor your hair without the possibility of a band forming.

Example 2
Stylist: Liz Taillie
Total Salon Time: 7 hours

Does my hair history matter? — answered by Parlor owner Gwenn LeMoine

Yes! The history of your hair and how frequently you’ve colored it in the past (or if you haven’t colored it before) will impact the outcome of the bleaching process. It’s especially important to share this information with your stylist before the lightening process begins.

If you’ve previously used Henna dye on your hair, this is especially important to share with your stylist.

Will my hair texture change? — answered by Parlor owner Gwenn LeMoine

There is considerable risk to the integrity of the hair. The texture of your hair will change and you will need to be very delicate with the hair immediately following the bleaching process.

For example, when your newly bleached hair is wet, there will be more stretch to the hair until it is able to heal properly. The hair will show more texture and will air dry differently so you will need to plan on using new and different styling methods. Gwenn recommends picking up a boar bristle brush and use it in conjunction with a blowdryer to smooth out your hair.

The important takeaway is that after bleaching your hair it takes more effort and time to style it properly. That being said, once you’ve styled your hair, it will last you 3-4x longer than your previously non-bleached or “virgin” hair. This is because the oils from your head will absorb into your now porous hair.

What is technically happening to my hair? — answered by Parlor owner Gwenn LeMoine

The hair goes through all the colors of the rainbow, but mainly red, orange, and yellow and that takes a while. If you have previously colored your hair dark, this process takes even longer. For those of you who are already on the blonde spectrum, the appointment can be as short as a three hours.

What products and chemicals will be used on the hair? — answered by stylist Melisa Márquez

On your first day at the salon, your stylist will apply Aveda’s enlightener multiple times to reach the desired lightened tone and then secondly your stylist will add a gloss to your hair. The bleach lifts the color from your hair and then the gloss/toner helps add color back in to reach the desired tone you’ve requested.

How should I take care of my hair at home? — answered by stylist Melisa Márquez and owner Gwenn LeMoine

• Aveda's New Blonde Revival is great with platinum, cool, or gray tones. It releases a measured supply of purple tone that cancels out yellow. What I love is that it's hard to overuse. If your hair starts to get too gray, then just use a different shampoo until the color returns to the tone you like it.

• Aveda’s new Botanical Repair line is fabulous for this type of hair repair. Melissa recommends the mask and leave-in conditioner.

• Styling products will be important since your hair texture will have changed and the products will also help rehydrate the hair.

• Melisa' also recommends Aveda’s Brilliant Emollient Finishing Gloss for those days that are a bit humid and the weather is working against you.