Going platinum blonde is a dramatic hair change that many people dream of trying. The icy, almost white shade is eye-catching and can really transform your look. However, reaching that level of lightness can be tricky and require devotion to hair health. If you’re considering taking the plunge to platinum, it’s important to understand the process and prep your hair properly. With patience and the right products, nearly anyone can achieve a stunning platinum mane.
What is Platinum Blonde Hair?
Platinum blonde, also called platimum white or icy blonde, is the lightest shade of blonde hair possible. It falls within the “lightest blonde” category on the hair color spectrum and is characterized by an absence of yellow or gold tones, appearing nearly silver or white under certain lighting.
To be considered truly platinum, hair must be lifted to a level 10 blonde using bleach. This removes underlying pigment and opens up the hair cuticle to allow toners to deposit cool, ash tones. The result is a bright yet icy look, devoid of brassiness or warmth.
Compared to other popular blonde shades like beige, buttery or sand blonde, platinum has far less natural variation and dimension. When done correctly, it is an extremely uniform solid shade. Maintenance is crucial to avoid dark regrowth.
Can You Buy Platinum Hair Dye?
There are some box dyes and salon hair color lines that claim to deposit platinum tones. However, most experts advise avoiding at-home platinum hair dye kits.
Reaching platinum white is an intricate multi-step process that requires bleaching and toning. Pre-mixed dyes cannot provide the necessary level of lift or cool pigmentation.
Permanent platinum hair dyes contain peroxide to lighten as they deposit color. But the consistency and strength is difficult to control. This can lead to uneven results with splotchy discolored patches of hair.
Higher volume developers, up to 40 volume peroxide, are typically needed to successfully lighten to pale platinum shades. Such strong chemical processing should only be done professionally in a salon environment.
Can You Dye Hair Platinum without Bleach?
It is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to achieve natural-looking platinum hair without bleach. Some alternatives provide subtle to moderate lightening but cannot rival true bleaching in terms of dramatic lift and removal of underlying pigment.
Color Removing Treatments
Hair color strippers or removers use chemicals to shrink color molecules in artificial pigment so they can be rinsed away. This works best on temporary or semi-permanent dyes. Permanent color generally requires a bleaching agent to fully lift and reach pale platinum tones.
High Lift Dyes
High lift hair color contains ammonia and higher concentrations of peroxide developer to lighten up to 3-4 levels in a single application. This may get hair into the lightest blonde range but not the pale ice white tones of true platinum.
Lightening Shampoos & Conditioners
Clarifying shampoos as well as some purple-toned conditioning treatments can help tone down brassiness and brighten blonde shades. However, they do not contain bleach and only remove minimal natural underlying pigment. So they provide very subtle brightening over time, not drastic lightening.
Sun Exposure
Extended exposure to bright sunlight can naturally lighten hair over months or years. However, this form of lightening occurs gradually and unevenly, making it incapable of achieving uniform platinum color. Hair is also at risk of sun damage.
Is it Safe to Dye Hair Platinum at Home?
It’s generally not recommended to take hair platinum by yourself at home due to the intricacy of the process and potential for hair damage.
However, for those set on DIY platinum, it can be done safely with care and smart preparation. Here are some tips:
- Do a patch and strand test first
- Space out bleaching over multiple sessions
- Use a quality bleach like Blondor or Schwarzkopf
- Mix bleach properly and carefully follow timing
- Apply bleach neatly in even sections
- Rinse thoroughly and use a toner to neutralize brassiness
- Deep condition hair after each lightening session
- Avoid overlapping bleach
- Watch for signs of damage like excessive dryness, breakage, gumminess or stretchiness
Having a friend help apply the bleach is also a good idea. Be patient and willing to correct any unevenness by re-bleaching stubborn areas as needed over time.
Platinum Hair Dye Steps
Here is an overview of the key steps needed to achieve platinum blonde hair color:
1. Prepare Hair
Hair must be healthy, clean and dry before lightening to platinum tones. Strip color buildup first with a clarifying shampoo. Then use a deep conditioning hair mask. Avoid conditioner before bleaching.
2. Bleach
Apply bleaching powder mixed with developer to pre-sectioned dry hair. Monitor regularly and rinse once it lifts to a pale yellow. For darker hair, repeat bleaching in 2-3 sessions over several weeks, conditioning heavily between each session.
3. Tone
Follow bleaching with a toner or toning treatment in a violet/blue base to neutralize brassiness and cancel out yellow tones. This helps deposit cool icy tones for platinum color.
4. Condition & Protect
Nourish hair with conditioning masks and oils. Avoid heat styling. Use a purple shampoo regularly to maintain tone and prevent brassiness as hair grows out.
How Long Does Platinum Hair Color Last?
With proper maintenance, platinum hair can realistically last 4-6 weeks before regrowth becomes noticeable. However, the icy tones can start to appear brassy much sooner if not cared for correctly.
Using an at-home toning gloss or visiting a salon for a toner refresh around the 3 week mark helps keep color looking crisp and bright. Overlapping bleach onto regrowth every 4-6 weeks will help hair remain evenly platinum.
Risks & Considerations of Platinum Hair
The amount of bleaching required to reach platinum blonde puts hair at risk for damage. Hair becomes dry and brittle, prone to breaking and tangling. Protein treatments and moisture masks are a must to combat this.
Pre-lightening with bleach also opens up and roughs up the cuticle layer. This means hair can more easily absorb environmental pollutants and minerals from water that lead to brassiness over time.
Frequent toning is required to fight warmth and prevent hair from fading. Using a clarifying shampoo before toning helps remove buildup for best results.
Platinum hair also needs to be handled gently – no tugging or backcombing. Heat tools should be kept on low settings and limited in use. Always use heat protectant.
Some pre-lightening is typically required even for pale blondes hoping to go platinum. So be prepared for at least 2 rounds of bleaching over a few weeks’ time. Patience is necessary.
Who Can Go Platinum Blonde?
Those with naturally light blonde to light brown hair have the easiest time transitioning to platinum, often with minimal pre-bleaching needed. Darker brunettes can achieve platinum too but will require more sessions spaced weeks apart to safely lift hair.
Very dark brown to black hair provides the biggest challenge. Hair may need 4+ rounds of bleaching over months, with lengthy conditioning treatments in between bleaches to maintain integrity and elasticity of strands.
For those with over 50% gray hair, platinum results will be uneven as greys do not absorb color. They will remain silver while pigmented hair lightens around it.
All hair types and textures can be colored platinum. But fragile, fine or thin hair is at greatest risk of enduring damage from multiple bleaching sessions. Those with chemical sensitivities may also experience scalp irritation.
Caring for Platinum Hair
Once you’ve achieved platinum locks, maintenance and care is crucial. Here are some tips to keep hair healthy and color looking icy bright:
- Wash 1-2 times per week only
- Use sulfate-free shampoo and cool water
- Apply toner or gloss every 2-3 weeks
- Alternate moisturizing and protein masks
- Blot hair dry with a towel, avoid rubbing
- Let hair air dry when possible
- Sleep on a silk pillowcase
- Use heat protectant if blow drying or hot tool styling
- Get a regular trim to keep ends healthy
Platinum Hair Inspiration
Need some platinum hair color ideas before you commit? Here are a few stunning celebrity examples of platinum manes done right:
- Kim Kardashian
- Michelle Williams
- Jennifer Lawrence
- Cara Delevingne
- Zendaya
- Emma Stone
- Khloe Kardashian
- Kristen Stewart
- Katy Perry
- Lady Gaga
Conclusion
Platinum blonde hair is a bold yet beautiful look that demands commitment. With proper lightening techniques and devoted toning and conditioning, platinum color can be safely achieved and maintained at home. Arm yourself with knowledge, have patience, and get ready to stop traffic with icy locks made for a superstar!
