The main difference between bleaching and dyeing hair is that bleaching involves stripping your hair of colour while dyeing involves changing the colour of your hair.
If you feel the need to refresh your look by changing your hair colour, bleaching and dyeing are two options for you. Both can change the colour of your hair, but bleaching can only give you a lighter shade. Dyeing, on the other hand, offers more shade options.
Key Areas Covered
1. Bleaching Hair
– Definition, Process, Features
2. Dyeing Hair
– Definition, Process, Features
3. Difference Between Bleaching and Dyeing Hair
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Bleaching, Dyeing, Hair Colour
Bleaching Hair – Definition, Process, Features
Bleaching is the process of oxidizing hair, stripping your hair of colour. If you want to change your hair from a darker colour to a lighter shade, bleaching is the perfect option for you. Or, if you have coloured hair and want a lighter shade, you can only achieve this by bleaching. Remember that already dyed hair can’t be dyed lighter.
Just like your skin, your hair also has colour pigments called melanin. What bleaching does is stripping your hair of these pigments. In fact, it removes all colour from your hair, making your hair turn a very light yellow. If you want a platinum look, you need to apply a tint, but if you like a yellow look, you don’t need to add a tint. When you bleach hair, the colour does not fade since there is no colour on hair to fade. Your hair will be that colour forever. When your hair grows out, you might want to bleach it to match the rest of the bleached hair.
Bleaching has a damaging effect on hair. It opens hair cuticles, which makes the cuticles weak, and the longer they stay open while the bleach is on your hair, the weaker your hair will be. A good hairstylist can help you to bleach your hair in a less aggressive way, preventing serious damage to the hair.
Dyeing Hair – Definition, Process, Features
Dyeing hair or colouring refers to changing the colour of hair. There are two types of dyes as temporary and permeant. Temporary dyeing only coats the strands of hair in pigment, but this colour doesn’t last long. When you use a permanent dye, your hair cuticles are opened, and colour pigments penetrate the hair. These dyes sometimes contain peroxides, which removes some colour from your hair, allowing the dye to attach to the hair. Although we use the word, ‘permanent’, these types of dye will also fade after a few months.
You can also cover grey hair with dyeing. Note that dyeing can also have a damaging effect on your hair. Moreover, the longer you have the hair dye on hair, the more damage it causes. This is why it’s important to use special hair care products for dyed hair.
Difference Between Bleaching and Dyeing Hair
Definition
Bleaching is the process of stripping your hair of colour while dyeing is the process of changing the colour of your hair.
Type of Colour
While bleaching gives you lighter shades, dyeing can give you any colour you want.
Process
Moreover, bleaching removes all colour from your hair, making your hair turn a very light yellow while dyeing involves coating your hair strands with a colour.
Duration
Bleaching is permeant, while dyeing can be permanent or temporary.
Conclusion
Bleaching is the process of stripping your hair of colour while dyeing is the process of changing the colour of your hair. While bleaching gives you lighter shades, dyeing can give you any colour you want. Thus, this is the main difference between bleaching and dyeing hair.
Reference:
1. Choi, Maureen. “How to Dye Your Hair at Home Like a Pro.” Glamour, Available here.
2. “What Does Bleach Actually Do to Your Hair?” Briogeo Hair Care, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Woman taking selfie outdoor, human, person, female, France, apparel” (CC0) via Wallpaper Flare
2. “1744959” (CC0) via Pixabay
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