Peroxide vs Bleach

[kwaniesiam]

As far as I know, bleach is essentially made of peroxide + developer. But is peroxide alone enough to lighten hair significantly?
Sun In or other things like that have about 3% peroxide, which is the equivalent of 10vol, and they lighten over time.
But if someone were to use, for example, 30vol or higher peroxide on hair, would it lighten the hair a lot, in just one session?
Or would it be better and easier to use bleach? Besides, which one is more damaging?
I think peroxide alone should lighten less than the same peroxide mixed with developer, but what I don't have any idea of is if it is more damaging to use, for example, 20vol peroxide + developer or 30vol peroxide (or even 40vol) alone.

If I wanted to lighten my hair to light brown, what would be the easiest and safest way to do it? (assuming I use coconut oil for protection prior to the lightening)

I hope to get responses from the nice hairstylists in this forum Thank you a lot!

ETA: I just thought this should go in the Conventional Products and Accessories board. Mods, if you agree, could you move the thread? Thanks!

Do not use just peroxide on your hair.

As has been stated, peroxide is the developer that activates the bleach powder in order to form a paste to lighten your hair. Putting developer alone on your hair will not do anything other than soften the cuticle, which can damage your hair while causing little to no color change. Also, just stating the obvious but you must buy a cream or liquid developer from the beauty supply store. Peroxide found in the pharmacy is NOT the same thing.

Lightening your hair can be tricky and very damaging if you don't know what you are doing. Personally I would suggest seeing a professional. If you use bleach, you're very likely to end up with a brassy orange or yellow. 20 volume maximum if you're going to try a powdered bleach. You'll still likely end up needing a toner after that. The soapcap that was mentioned, use shampoo instead of a conditioner. Using a conditioner will be counter productive and will not protect your hair any more than if you had straight bleach. The idea behind diluting bleach in shampoo makes it easier to emulsify and does slow the lifting process. Conditioners contain moisturizers that will coat the hair and counteract the bleaching action.

Alternatively you can try color, but you may not get the results you want since your hair now is so dark. Level 8 with 30 vol. developer should result in a shade around level 6. Most dyes however are not able to give you more than 2-3 levels of lift. There are such things as high lift colors, but those are very fussy to work with and I do not think are even available to purchase without a cosmetology license.

ETA: Thanks for the rec, Anje. I didn't even see your post when I was writing this up.

[Lemur_Catta]

Do not use just peroxide on your hair.

As has been stated, peroxide is the developer that activates the bleach powder in order to form a paste to lighten your hair. Putting developer alone on your hair will not do anything other than soften the cuticle, which can damage your hair while causing little to no color change. Also, just stating the obvious but you must buy a cream or liquid developer from the beauty supply store. Peroxide found in the pharmacy is NOT the same thing.

Lightening your hair can be tricky and very damaging if you don't know what you are doing. Personally I would suggest seeing a professional. If you use bleach, you're very likely to end up with a brassy orange or yellow. 20 volume maximum if you're going to try a powdered bleach. You'll still likely end up needing a toner after that. The soapcap that was mentioned, use shampoo instead of a conditioner. Using a conditioner will be counter productive and will not protect your hair any more than if you had straight bleach. The idea behind diluting bleach in shampoo makes it easier to emulsify and does slow the lifting process. Conditioners contain moisturizers that will coat the hair and counteract the bleaching action.

Alternatively you can try color, but you may not get the results you want since your hair now is so dark. Level 8 with 30 vol. developer should result in a shade around level 6. Most dyes however are not able to give you more than 2-3 levels of lift. There are such things as high lift colors, but those are very fussy to work with and I do not think are even available to purchase without a cosmetology license.

ETA: Thanks for the rec, Anje. I didn't even see your post when I was writing this up.

Thank you very much I want to avoid going to a hairstylist because I'm afraid he would think I'm crazy...because, apart from applying coconut oil before bleaching, what I really want to do is henna over it...would I need a toner anyway, or would henna take care of that?
So, if I used 20vol peroxide and powdered bleach, what color should I optain?

[MsBubbles]

Huh! I have put drugstore peroxide on my hair and it does lighten it. I didn't notice any more damage over the long run than from salon highlights (over a course of years).

But this is very educational and I won't be doing that again .

[kwaniesiam]

Thank you very much I want to avoid going to a hairstylist because I'm afraid he would think I'm crazy...because, apart from applying coconut oil before bleaching, what I really want to do is henna over it...would I need a toner anyway, or would henna take care of that?
So, if I used 20vol peroxide and powdered bleach, what color should I optain?

From your original post I was under the impression you wanted a light brown, not hennaed? I can't say what color you'll get when you bleach your hair, there are too many factors to diagnose over the internet.

20vol bleach and henna will give you a very orange-red. Depending on the level of lift you achieve and your henna mixture it can be anywhere from BRIGHT flaming orange to coppery ginger. Always strand test!

[Lemur_Catta]

From your original post I was under the impression you wanted a light brown, not hennaed? I can't say what color you'll get when you bleach your hair, there are too many factors to diagnose over the internet.

20vol bleach and henna will give you a very orange-red. Depending on the level of lift you achieve and your henna mixture it can be anywhere from BRIGHT flaming orange to coppery ginger. Always strand test!

Yes, I said I wanted light brown because when I had light brown hair (which I had achieved in horrible ways...think a lot of sun in over the summer, a lot of sun and no protection) I hennaed my hair and it was flaming red and I loved it...so I am basically try to do the same thing again, but with less damage
But if it is too much difficult, I think I'll just keep my natural hair...