How Can I Lighten My Hair Without Bleach?

Whether it’s a change of season, or just because you want to give your hair a little boost, it can be tempting to lighten your locks without having to go to the salon. Unfortunately, many hair products on the market aren’t very safe for your hair and might cause serious damage if you use them too often (or even for too long).

There are, however, ways to lighten your hair naturally without using harsh bleach-like ingredients or chemicals. These options can help lighten your hair with minimal damage to your scalp and strands, as well as provide some serious color pop!

1. Make a DIY Lemon Juice Spray

One of the best ways to lighten your hair at home is to use a citrus-based solution like lemon juice. Not only does this brighten your strands and bring out their natural tones, but it also removes harmful layers of product that haven’t been removed by regular washing and conditioning.

2. Apply a homemade saltwater mask

Another way to gently lighten your hair at home is to mix a solution of sea salt and water. This treatment works to gently break down keratin fibers and lighten your hair from the inside out.

3. Apply a baking soda and hydrogen peroxide mixture

This method is especially effective for darker hair, as it’s the strongest of the DIY hair lightening methods. Just be sure to do a strand test before applying it all over your head.

4. Add honey and cinnamon to your conditioner

This natural combination is great for a subtle lightening effect that won’t dry out your strands. It also contains glucose oxidase, which helps your hair produce small amounts of hydrogen peroxide, according to celebrity colorist Tardo Abdullah.

5. Do a vinegar rinse

The most inexpensive and gentle option for hair lightening is to wash your strands with apple cider or distilled white vinegar. This will cleanse your strands and lift their color, but you’ll need to seal it in with a gloss or conditioner to avoid damage.

6. For a more intense lightening result, try a baking soda and hydrogen peroxide mask.

This is the most powerful of the DIY hair lightening methods, and it’s recommended to do a strand test before you start using it all over your head.

7. Add sea salt to your shampoo

Adding salt to your shampoo is an inexpensive and easy way to lighten your hair at home. It’s a great way to mimic the lightening effects of the ocean and open up your strands from the inside out.

8. Get a natural balayage look

Finally, for a subtle and subtler approach to boosting your hair color, try a DIY honey and cinnamon mask. This is a natural and gentle method that can lighten your hair by one to two levels with minimal damage.

If you’re ready to give these tips a try, you can start by washing your hair with a mild, non-bleach shampoo like John Frieda’s Balayage Hair Cleansing Shampoo. This product is designed to gently lift your natural hair color and tame frizz.