Yes, you should generally cover your hair with a bag or similar covering when bleaching it at home. Based on expert recommendations, it is advised to put on a shower cap, plastic wrap, or a clear plastic bag, and allow your hair to process according to your packaging instructions.
Covering your hair helps create a warm, moist environment, which can assist the bleach in processing effectively and achieving the desired level of lift. Make sure your hair is fully saturated with the bleach mixture before covering it up.
Why Cover Your Hair During Bleaching?
Covering your hair serves a practical purpose during the bleaching process. It helps:
- Maintain Heat: The heat from your scalp is trapped, which aids the chemical reaction of the bleach.
- Keep it Moist: Prevents the bleach from drying out, which can slow down or stop the lifting process.
- Ensure Even Processing: Helps the bleach work more uniformly across your hair.
How to Cover Your Hair
As recommended by hair experts like Corbett, you can use readily available household items to cover your hair after applying bleach:
- Shower Cap: A standard plastic shower cap works well.
- Plastic Wrap: Household plastic wrap can be carefully wrapped around the head.
- Clear Plastic Bag: A simple clear plastic bag can also be used as a covering.
Ensure the covering fits snugly enough to trap heat and moisture but isn't so tight that it's uncomfortable or restricts circulation.
Processing Time
The amount of time you leave the bleach on your hair varies depending on the specific product instructions, your hair type, and the desired result. While packaging instructions are key, Corbett notes that it can take anywhere between 20 to 30 minutes to get sufficient lift. Always check your hair's progress periodically during the processing time to avoid over-processing and damage.
Bleaching Hair Checklist
Before you start bleaching, ensure you have everything you need and follow these steps, including the crucial step of covering:
- Gather Supplies: Bleach kit, gloves, old clothes, towels, timer, and a covering (shower cap, plastic wrap, or bag).
- Read Instructions: Always read the manufacturer's instructions thoroughly.
- Perform a Strand Test: Crucial for checking processing time and result on your specific hair.
- Protect Your Skin: Apply petroleum jelly around your hairline and ears.
- Apply Bleach: Apply the bleach evenly and quickly to ensure saturation.
- Cover Your Hair: Once hair is saturated, put on a shower cap, plastic wrap, or a clear plastic bag.
- Process: Allow the bleach to process according to instructions, monitoring your hair's lift.
- Rinse Thoroughly: Rinse the bleach completely from your hair.
- Follow Up: Use recommended toners or conditioning treatments.
By following these steps, including the advice to cover your hair with a bag, shower cap, or plastic wrap, you can help ensure a more effective and even bleaching process.
