For or against lightening spray?

Ever heard of lightening sprays that promise to change your hair colour quicker than a flash, without having to radically colour your hair? Tempting... but be careful, use this product with caution.

A penchant for blonds

This spray, as its name suggests, generally allows you to lighten your natural hair colour by one shade. For a natural result, it is particularly recommended for blonds or those with light brown hair, because it gives your locks a shine boost. However, be careful when using it on brown hair as it tends to alter the original colour, giving your locks red or even orange highlights. It is very important to read the instructions on the bottle and check the colour palette variations suggested before taking the plunge.

How does it work?

Lightening treatments, which often come in gels or sprays, are applied to hair that's been washed and wrung out. You just need to spray the product all over your locks, which you must detangle beforehand. Apply it with your head down so you do not miss any sections. In 5 minutes you will have finished. You will get a real change in colour without having to actually bleach your hair , thanks to the product's weak oxygenated water content. However, the result obtained depends on the amount applied. That's when it starts to get complicated.

The limits of lightening spray

Too much product can create a very noticeable washed-out effect and can even bleach your locks. This is even more the case when it is applied to bleached hair, which is more sensitive to this process. For the same reasons, it is also inadvisable to use it on weakened locks. If that is the case for you, use a natural lightening treatment made from herbal distillates instead (the result will be much more subtle), or use chamomile treatments.

If your hair is natural, you could (after being amazed about how quickly this spray works) give in to the temptation of using it every day. This is a bad idea! Eventually, the hair fibre will become porous, due to repetitively being sprayed, and your locks will end up being damaged. Finally, this technique is not temporary. The result will not fade over time and will not wash out. Once lightened, your hair will not go back to its initial colour.

Ensure your hair is protected

If you decide to try out a lightening spray, for optimum results, use a protective treatment before and after you apply it. Reinforce your hair regime with a weekly oil bath to keep your hair feeling soft and looking shiny.