When bleaching your hair, you should cover it with plastic wrap or a plastic cap to ensure the bleach works effectively. As Corbett explains, "Bleach works best when it's kept moist and warm, so cover it with plastic wrap or a plastic cap to retain the moisture." This simple step is crucial for achieving optimal and even lightening results.
Why Covering Your Hair is Crucial During Bleaching
Covering your hair during the bleaching process is not just an optional step; it's a vital part of ensuring the bleach performs at its peak. The primary reasons include:
- Moisture Retention: Bleach formulas need to stay moist to continue their chemical reaction. If the bleach dries out, it stops working, leading to patchy or uneven lightening. Covering your hair traps the natural moisture, keeping the product active.
- Heat Generation and Retention: Your scalp's natural warmth, combined with the insulating barrier of a plastic cover, helps to create a slightly elevated temperature. This warmth accelerates the bleaching process, allowing the active ingredients to penetrate the hair shaft more efficiently and evenly.
- Even Processing: A consistent environment of moisture and warmth across all sections of your hair ensures that the bleach processes uniformly, minimizing the risk of hot spots or under-processed areas.
Recommended Materials for Hair Coverage
Based on expert advice, the most effective materials for covering your hair during bleaching are readily available and simple to use:
- Plastic Wrap: Commonly found in kitchens, plastic wrap (like cling film) can be wrapped tightly around the bleached sections of your hair or your entire head. It creates an excellent seal, trapping both moisture and warmth.
- Plastic Cap: Similar to a shower cap, a plastic cap provides a convenient and complete enclosure for your hair. These are often included in home bleaching kits or can be purchased separately. They are easy to put on and remove, providing consistent coverage.
| Material | Application Method | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic Wrap | Wrap snugly around bleached areas or the entire head | Excellent seal, customizable coverage, traps maximum moisture and warmth |
| Plastic Cap | Place over entire head, ensuring all hair is inside | Easy to use, full head coverage, consistent environment, prevents dripping |
Step-by-Step: Covering Your Hair for Optimal Bleaching
Once you've applied the bleach evenly to your hair, follow these steps to cover it properly:
- Gather Hair: Gently gather your hair on top of your head or in a loose bun, ensuring all bleached sections are accessible. Avoid pulling too tightly, especially if your hair is delicate from the bleach application.
- Apply Cover:
- For Plastic Wrap: Take a generous length of plastic wrap and carefully wrap it around your head, covering all the bleached hair. You might need multiple layers to create a secure, airtight seal. Ensure it's snug but not uncomfortably tight.
- For Plastic Cap: Place the plastic cap over your entire head, making sure all your bleached hair is tucked inside the cap. Adjust it so it fits securely around your hairline.
- Ensure Full Coverage: Double-check that all bleached hair is completely enclosed within the plastic cover. Any exposed areas will dry out and may not lighten properly.
- Monitor Progress: While the cover helps, it's crucial to periodically check your hair's lightening progress by gently lifting a small section of the cover and wiping off a tiny bit of bleach with a damp paper towel. Re-cover quickly.
Key Considerations for Effective Bleaching and Coverage
To achieve the best results and protect your hair, keep these practical insights in mind:
- Even Bleach Distribution: Before covering, ensure the bleach is distributed as evenly as possible. The cover helps with consistent processing, but it cannot fix uneven application.
- Avoid Over-Processing: The cover helps accelerate the process, so it's even more important to adhere to the recommended processing times and frequently check your hair's lift. Over-processing can lead to significant damage.
- Ventilation: While the cover traps warmth and moisture for the bleach, ensure you are in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling strong fumes.
- Comfort: Make sure the plastic wrap or cap is not too tight, as this can be uncomfortable during the processing time.
By utilizing plastic wrap or a plastic cap, you create the ideal conditions for your bleach to work, helping you achieve beautiful, evenly lightened hair.
