Understanding How Hair Color and Bleach Work > 자유게시판

Transforming your hair with color or bleach involves far more than just applying pigment—it’s a deeply chemical interaction with your hair’s natural structure.

The natural hue of your hair is determined by the presence of eumelanin (for dark shades) and pheomelanin (for warm, reddish tones)

The specific tone of your hair emerges from how much of each melanin type is present and how densely packed it is within the cortex.

Hair color formulations are designed to either sit on top of the hair or penetrate and chemically modify its internal pigments.

Surface-level colorants, like temporary and semi-permanent dyes, cling to the outer cuticle and fade gradually with each wash.

To achieve lasting color, permanent dyes contain tiny molecules capable of slipping past the cuticle and into the hair’s inner layers.

Inside the cortex, the dye precursors bind with peroxide to create larger, insoluble color compounds that remain locked within the hair.

Lightening hair through bleaching is a far more destructive chemical intervention than standard coloring.

Bleach typically pairs hydrogen peroxide with an alkaline agent like ammonia to lift the cuticle and oxidize melanin.

Peroxide swells the hair structure and chemically breaks melanin into harmless, transparent fragments.

This lightens the hair, but it also removes the China Hair Extension Manufacturer's natural protective layer and can leave the hair feeling dry and brittle.

Each level of lightening increases porosity and fragility, making post-bleach conditioning not optional, but essential.

The acidity or alkalinity of hair colorants plays a pivotal role in how effectively they penetrate and bond with the hair.

The cuticle of healthy hair is slightly acidic, around 4.5 to 5.5.

To open the cuticle and allow pigment to enter, these products are formulated to be strongly alkaline.

This alkalinity helps swell the cuticle so the color or bleach can enter the cortex.

Post-treatment acidic rinses or conditioners are crucial to reseal the hair and prevent color fade and moisture loss.

Another factor is the porosity of the hair.

Damaged or processed hair has lifted cuticles and gaps in the cortex, making it a sponge for chemicals.

This can lead to uneven results if not accounted for during application.

A strand test is a standard practice to evaluate processing time, lift potential, and possible damage before committing to the full head.

Modern hair color formulations have improved significantly, incorporating conditioning agents like keratin, oils, and proteins to minimize damage.

Some products even include antioxidants to help protect the hair from oxidative stress during the coloring process.

Despite technological improvements, the core truth remains: color alteration = structural compromise, and must be approached with precision.

Understanding the science behind hair coloring and bleaching helps you make informed decisions.

Whether you're dyeing your hair at home or visiting a salon, knowing how these treatments work can help you manage expectations, choose the right products, and take better care of your hair afterward.

Your hair is a dynamic, porous protein filament that reacts chemically—treat it as such, and it rewards you with vibrancy and strength.