If there is one hair color I think every woman should try in her lifetime; it’s blonde. There is nothing like those bright, look-at-me tresses that will give you an instant confidence boost – whether you’re showcasing your sunkissed strands by the pool or holding an important meeting with top investors.
But if you don’t have the time or money to step foot in your local salon, you have another option – doing it yourself. Bleaching your hair to a lovely blonde shade isn’t as difficult as it seems, and it’s a cinch using a 30-volume developer. It only takes five to 30 minutes, depending on your hair type and desired shade.
Are you thinking about bleaching your hair at home? Then you need to know how to do it properly, and one of the most essential things to know is how long to leave the bleach on your hair. Otherwise, you can end up with some severe damage.
Who’s ready to become a blonde bombshell?
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How Long to Leave Bleach on Hair 30-Vol – Things to Consider
For the most part, a 30-volume developer should be left on anywhere from five to 30 minutes, but never longer than 30 minutes, as this opens up the opportunity for damage. The best thing to do is follow the instructions on the bleach kit you purchase.
Now, I know what you’re thinking – “Between five and thirty minutes? That’s not helpful!” I get it. That’s a relatively large time gap. But that’s only because you need to consider two crucial things.
Hair Type
The first thing to consider is your hair type. If your hair has never been bleached (i.e., you have “virgin” tresses), then you won’t need to leave the bleach on your mane as long.
On the other hand, if you have thick, coarse, and stubborn hair, you’ll need to leave the bleach on your strands for the full 30 minutes.
Current and Desired Shade
Secondly, take into consideration your current hair color and your desired shade.
Someone who already has golden blonde hair, but wants to lighten it up a single shade, will only need to leave the 30-volume developer on for about five minutes.
Those with darker strands that want something more drastic, such as three shades lighter, will need to leave the 30-volume developer on for 30 minutes.
Essentially, the longer the 30-volume developer remains on your hair, the lighter it will get. But keep in mind that you should never leave the bleach on your tresses for longer than 30 minutes, even if you haven’t reached your desired hair color yet.
Does 30-Volume Damage Hair?
All types of developers (20, 30, 40-volume) are somewhat damaging to your hair. That’s because they raise your hair’s cuticle, allowing the bleach to enter and lighten the color of your tresses. This can cause quite a bit of dryness.
This is especially true if you leave your 30-volume developer on for too long (more than 30 minutes). After the 30-minute mark, your strands can become severely dried out, which can cause breakage. That, or you’ll have an undesirable white shade that’s difficult to reverse.
However, if you prepare your locks before bleaching them, correctly apply the bleach, and don’t leave the bleach on for too long, there should be minimal damage.
How to Prepare Hair for Bleaching
Taking the proper steps to prepare your mane for bleaching will help to minimize the potential damage caused by the lightening agent. Here are some of the best ways to prepare your hair for bleach.
1. Apply Moisturizing Hair Masks
The key to avoiding damage is to moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Since bleach is quite drying, starting with fully-hydrated strands is a must. Apply a top-notch hair mask once or twice a week for two weeks before you plan to bleach your locks.
2. Ditch the Heat
Heat = damage. And the last thing you want to do is apply bleach to dry, brittle, and damaged strands. That said, ditch your beloved hot tools for two weeks before applying 30-volume to your mane.
3. Do a Coconut Oil Overnight Mask
The night before you plan to bleach your locks, do a coconut oil overnight mask. To do this, slather your tresses with coconut oil. Then, wrap your hair up into a shower cap.
Allow the coconut oil to penetrate your strands overnight, leaving you with luxuriously moisturized, hydrated, smooth, and soft strands that are ready for a powerful bleaching session.
How to Safely Bleach Your Hair With 30-Vol
You should always follow the instructions provided by your hair bleaching kit. However, if you’ve lost the instruction manual or your kit did not come with instructions, here are the “basics” for bleaching your hair at home using a 30-volume developer.
1. Start With a Patch Test
When it comes to bleaching your locks, I don’t recommend just “diving in.” You don’t know how your hair will respond, and you don’t want to accidentally destroy your perfectly healthy and gorgeous mane.
The other issue is that you might be allergic to the ingredients. It will be much easier to handle an allergic reaction in a small section rather than dealing with an entire mane that’s being burned and irritated.
That said, find an inconspicuous spot of hair, mix your bleach and developer, and apply it to that area and that area only. Set a timer and keep an eye on your strands. Once you’ve reached the desired shade, turn the timer off and rinse.
2. Prepare Your Workspace
When it comes to bleaching your own hair, things can get messy. I recommend setting some newspapers or old towels around to guard your countertops and floors. Also, wear an old t-shirt you don’t mind destroying with bleach.
3. Section Hair Into Four Quadrants
When you’re applying bleach, the key is to be thorough. That can be difficult to do if you’re trying to apply bleach to your entire mane at once. Instead, section it into four quadrants, using your favorite clips to keep the strands sectioned off.
4. Mix and Apply
Now, you’ll want to mix your lightener and developer. It’s typically a 1:1 ratio.
Once fully incorporated, use the brush to slather your strands from root to tip, starting about an inch away from your scalp.
When you’re done applying the bleach, go back and apply the mixture to the roots, as the roots lighten quicker than the ends, and you don’t want to end up with a mismatched hair color.
5. Wait and Tone
Now, you’ll need to wait until your hair has reached the desired shade. Refer to the amount of time required during your “patch test” to get the best results.
Keep the bleach on your mane for 30 minutes at maximum, even if you do not reach your desired shade. If your hair is too dark, you may need to re-bleach your locks two weeks after the initial bleaching session.
When the timer rings, rinse out all of the bleach from your strands and apply a toner to remove any underlying brassiness or yellow shades.
6. Take Care of Your New Blonde Hair!
You did it, babe! You’ve finally joined the elite club of blondes. OK, so it’s not “elite.” But we can’t deny that it’s an exclusive club for those that don’t mind looking like a dream come true every time they step through an entryway.
Now that the bleaching process is over, it’s time to take care of your new ‘do. Always use purple shampoo and conditioner to keep your locks looking light, vibrant, and stunning. Apply hair masks regularly to keep your strands nice and hydrated.
If you need to use hot tools, utilize a heat protectant and opt for a lower temp. Try to keep hot styling to a minimum, though, as too much heat can lead to further damage.
FAQs
Basically, 30-volume shouldn’t be left on your strands for longer than 30 minutes, which is pretty easy to remember – 30 and 30. If you want to learn more about this topic, check out these frequently asked questions.
Can I bleach my hair with 30 developer?
You can bleach your own hair with a 30-volume developer. It has the ability to lift three shades and should never be left on the hair for longer than 30 minutes. I’d stay away from 40-volume, though, as this is quite an intense and powerful developer that should be left to the professionals.
Is 30 minutes too long for bleach?
Thirty minutes is not too long for bleach, especially if you’re trying to lighten very dark hair or have stubborn, thick, or coarse locks that have difficulty lightening. However, never go beyond the 30-minute mark to avoid damage.
Can you bleach twice with 30 volume?
You can bleach your hair twice with a 30-volume developer, but you’ll need to take a two-week break before you do so. During this time, you should focus on replenishing the hydration and moisture in your strands, so they’re healthy and hydrated enough for another round of bleaching.
30-Volume Only Needs 30 Minutes or Less!
If you’re bleaching your hair with 30-volume, the most important thing to remember is that it should never be left on your mane for longer than 30 minutes. That’s an easy way to go from “beautifully blonde” to “brittle and bad.” Consider your hair type and desired shade to find the best timeframe.
How long do you leave 30-volume on your hair? What is your hair type, and what was your desired shade? We would love to hear from our readers about their 30-volume bleaching experiences!
