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 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.

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 do I prep my 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.

13 Best Professional Hair Bleaches of 2024, Approved by Stylists

While most hair stylists recommend saving the dye job for the pros, we here at Byrdie understand that some bottle blondes prefer taking matters into their own hands, whether to save some money or to have complete control of the process. If you're coloring your hair at home, it's crucial to start with the right product. Box dye kits are ideal for beginners, but for those more experienced DIYers, pro-level bleaches offer more lifting power and higher-quality ingredients.

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 Walmart ($35)

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 ($6)

Jump to Review

Best for All-Over Blonde:

Redken Flash Lift Bonder Inside at Walmart ($50)

Jump to Review

Best for Brown Hair:

Schwarzkopf Blonde Me Premium Lift 9 at Walmart ($30)

Jump to Review

Best for Platinum Hair:

L'Anza Healing Blonde Ultra Blonding Decolorizer at Walmart ($45)

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

Best Blue, Runner-Up:

L'Oréal Paris Quick Blue Powder Bleach at Amazon ($23)

Jump to Review

Best Overall

Wella Professionals Blondor Lightening Powder

Wella Professionals Blondor Multi-Blonde Lightening Powder

PHOTO:

Walmart

$35 at 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 says. "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.

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

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

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.

Best Gentle

Sparks Professional Color Powder Lightener

PHOTO:

Amazon

$6 at Amazon View on Carissalon.com

What We Like

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

What to Consider

Developer sold separately
Some users complained of chemical smell

This ultrafine, 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.

Best for All-Over Blonde

Redken Flash Lift Bonder Inside

PHOTO:

Walmart

$50 at Walmart View on Saloncentric.com

What We Like

Lifts up to eight levels for all-over blonde
Bond builder
Developer not needed

What to Consider

Not beginner-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 celebrity hairstylist Matt 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. Due to it's potent lightening power, it's better suited for those who are experienced bleaching their own hair.

Best for Brown Hair

Schwarzkopf Blonde Me Premium Lift 9

PHOTO:

Amazon

$30 at Walmart View on Brightonbeautysupply.com

What We Like

Neutralizes brassiness in dark hair
Bond builder
Colorist-recommended

What to Consider

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 Walker.

Best for Platinum Hair

L'Anza Healing Blonde Ultra Blonding Decolorizer

PHOTO:

Walmart

$35 at Walmart View on Pandorabeauty.com

What We Like

Lifts to platinum
Built-in bond builder
Anti-yellowing agents

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 ultracool platinum finish.

Best for Balayage

Clairol Professional BW2 Lightener

PHOTO:

Amazon

$19 at Amazon $26 at Sallybeauty.com

What We Like

Moisture-rich formula lends itself to hand-painted highlights
Works on very dark hair
Dust-free

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.

Best for Highlights

Clairol Professional Basic White Extra Strength Powder Lightener

PHOTO:

Amazon

$28 at Amazon $24 at Walmart

What We Like

Formula ideal for applying highlights
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.

Best Blue

Salon Care Professional Blue Flash Powder Lightener

PHOTO:

Amazon

$25 at Amazon $27 at Sallybeauty.com

What We Like

Blue counteracts brassy tones
Creamy when mixed
Minimal swelling

What to Consider

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.

Best Blue, Runner-Up

L'Oréal Paris Quick Blue Powder Bleach

PHOTO:

Amazon

$23 at Amazon $20 at Walmart $7 at Sallybeauty.com

What We Like

Dust-free
Very large container
Controlled lift

What to Consider

Not as effective against red tones

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.

Best Cream

Ion Color Brilliance Bright White Creme Lightener

PHOTO:

Amazon

$17 at Amazon $17 at Sallybeauty.com

What We Like

Cream doesn't drip
Rich formula moisturizes with sunflower oil
Soothes with chamomile flower

What to Consider

Developer sold separately

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.

Best De-Dusted Powder

Matrix Light Master V-Light Lightener with Controlled Lift

PHOTO:

Walmart

$65 at 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

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.

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

Ammonia-free formula minimizes damage
Dust-free
Formulated with natural oils

What to Consider

Developer sold separately

Ammonia is a common chemical used in hair dye and lightening products and. 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 such as coconut, chia seed, and sunflower to condition and protect the scalp.

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.
Avoid Ammonia: If you want to play it safe, stick with ammonia-free formulas like 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.
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, which will help ensure the skin stays healthy and unharmed.

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 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.
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 do I prep my 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.

Why Trust Byrdie

Byrdie contributor Theresa Holland is a freelance commerce writer specializing in beauty and lifestyle. She reviewed many formulas, combed through ingredients lists, and referenced several scholarly articles before landing on the final selections. Additionally, she interviewed the following experts:

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

According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find any professional bleaches from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com, and we will evaluate the product ASAP.

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.

Dodgson NA (2019). What is the opposite of blue? The language of colour wheels. Journal of Perceptual Imaging, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.2352/j.percept.imaging.2019.2.1.010401
Symanzik C, Koopmann K, Skudlik C, John SM, Uter W. Bleaching powders, bleaching creams and other hair lightening preparations as sources for (airborne) allergic contact dermatitis and other health effects in hairdressers: Results of an empirical study. Contact Dermatitis. 2023 Feb;88(2):139-144. doi: 10.1111/cod.14242. Epub 2022 Nov 16. PMID: 36369878.
Gavazzoni Dias MF. Hair cosmetics: an overview. Int J Trichology. 2015;7(1):2-15. doi:10.4103/0974-7753.153450
Basit A, Asghar F, Sadaf S, Akhtar MW. Health improvement of human hair and their reshaping using recombinant keratin K31. Biotechnol Rep (Amst). 2018 Oct 24;20:e00288. doi: 10.1016/j.btre.2018.e00288. PMID: 30416979; PMCID: PMC6218806.
Nielsen, Jörn et al. Dust-free bleaching powder may not prevent symptoms in hairdressers with bleaching-associated rhinitis. Journal of occupational health vol. 58,5 (2016): 470-476. doi:10.1539/joh.16-0073-OA
Draelos ZD. A clinical evaluation of a permanent hair dye designed to reduce allergic contact dermatitis and hair damage. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2022;21(9):3925-3928. doi:10.1111/jocd.15212
Lin TK, Zhong L, Santiago JL. Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils. Int J Mol Sci. 2017 Dec 27;19(1):70. doi: 10.3390/ijms19010070. PMID: 29280987; PMCID: PMC5796020.