While hair dye today puts a whole rainbow of color at your disposal, there's no denying that bleached blonde hair is and long has been the perennial favorite.
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, after all (just ask Marilyn Monroe), and there's no shortage of bleach-blonde boy bands (just ask NSYNC-era Justin Timberlake).
A whole host of Hollywood starlets and pop idols have done the bleaching deed, including Madonna, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lawrence, Gwen Stefani, Katy Perry, Emma Stone, Jennifer Hudson, and Emilia Clarke.
We have Jean Harlow (and the media circus surrounding her) to thank for the term "Blonde Bombshell"; wouldn't you know? She bleached her hair, too.
Still, your attempts at transforming yourself, Blonde Bombshell, will blow up in your face if you use expired bleach - or will it?
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Does Hair Bleach Expire?
Hair bleach does expire, and its expiration date can vary depending on the formulation. Sealed bleach powder and developer can last up to about three years. Once you open them, they hold up well as long as you close them tightly, keep the powder dry, and follow the date on the package. Mixed bleach is a different story: it starts losing strength right away, so use it immediately and throw out what’s left.
Peroxide, the key ingredient in the developer, slowly breaks down into water and oxygen, so an old bottle lifts less. Expired bleach mostly gives you weaker, patchier results; the burns and breakage people worry about come from the bleaching itself, especially when it’s left on too long. Use hair bleach immediately after mixing, and don’t use any expired hair products.
How Long Does Hair Bleach Last? Can You Use Bleach Beyond Its Expiration Date?
Does hair bleach expire? Hair bleach expires quickly once you mix it, so only mix it when you’re ready to apply it. Sealed and unmixed, it lasts much longer.
However, it's critical that you read the product packaging carefully - if the product contains bleach powder, hair developer, or other common chemicals and ingredients, the expiration date will vary.
Due to the various formulations that often include bleach powder and liquid developer, determining how long a hair bleach mixture lasts is by far the trickiest question to answer.
There are lots of competing claims out there, including that hair bleach powder can last for up to a year after you open it. However, as demonstrated below, there are variations to this, and it can go bad sooner.
Even that isn't the full story.
While the peroxide may be ready to be mixed in for a while after you first open it, the mixture itself starts losing strength as soon as you combine the two, so use it within the time the directions give.
As such, if you're going to mix up hair bleach, you'd better know what you're doing and where you plan on applying it before getting started so you can add it before the bleach starts to go south. And to be clear, hair bleach is a mix of hydrogen peroxide and a powder made of persulfate salts, not the household bleach under your sink. Never put household (chlorine) bleach on your hair.
Whatever you don’t use, rinse away rather than saving it. Once the powder and developer are mixed, the mixture keeps releasing oxygen, and a closed container can build up pressure.
Why does bleach start to go bad? The peroxide slowly breaks down into water and oxygen, losing the strength it needs to lighten your hair, and the powder breaks down when it gets damp.
Once this process begins, the bleach won’t lighten your hair as well or as evenly. So, we don't recommend using bleach beyond its expiry date or any expired hair product.
By contrast, box hair dye can last up to three years in optimal conditions. That's a long time. In order to achieve the best results, we recommend storing hair products in a cool, dry place. Also, avoid direct sunlight.
On the other hand, old hair dye may not give you the shade you expected, and it can smell off once it’s degraded.
Hair Dye vs. Bleaching: Liquid and Powder Form
Before we go much further, it's worth drawing a distinction between hair dye and bleach in particular. After all, both are used to change your hair color, so can we consider them as one thing here?
Well, the answer here is yes and no.
For practical purposes, box dye and a bottle of bleach both last a long time sealed and lose strength once they’re opened or mixed, which is why you'll see some overlap in our discussion of how long they last, why they go bad, and what you can do to preserve them.
At the same time, however, there are some differences between bleach and hair dye that are worth noting.
For one thing, bleach and hair dye work in different ways. While both change the appearance of your hair, bleach does this by stripping away your natural hair color. Temporary and semi-permanent dyes coat your hair with color, while permanent dye lightens your natural color and adds new color at the same time.
As a result, while both can change your appearance, bleaching your hair can be seen as a bigger step since it’s permanent until it grows out. Permanent dye stays until it grows out, too, though it fades a little with each wash, while semi-permanent dyes wash out over time, so they aren’t as much of a long-term commitment.
On the other hand, there's a reason why "Bleach Blonde" is a hair and fashion identity unto itself, but we never hear about a "Bleach Redhead" or "Bleach Brunette."
While bleaching can dramatically lighten your hair color by stripping away your natural color in favor of bleached platinum blonde, that's the only coloring effect it can accomplish. By contrast, hair dye allows you to change your hair to a variety of different colors.
The Pros and Cons of Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is often at the center of the hair bleach dilemma. On the one hand, this allows hair bleach to be so incredibly effective in lightening your hair by stripping away the natural color, giving you a look unlike any other.
Google around, and you'll see arguments that hair bleach can outlast other hair care products, and peroxide is often at the center of that claim.
However, that's not quite accurate. For one thing, as with any chemical compound, peroxide can indeed go bad; as with other hair care products, once you open the bottle, the clock starts ticking.
Even with the cap on tight, it slowly loses strength, and light, heat, and metal speed that up, so follow the date on the bottle.
While it may expire a lot faster than you might think, you don't even have to wait for hair bleach to expire to suffer negative effects.
For example, while hydrogen peroxide can be used as a disinfectant, too much of a good thing can backfire. As such, an excess of peroxide in bleach can irritate your skin and damage the hair shaft.
One way to prevent this is to use something that can help take the edge off. Some people put petroleum jelly along their hairline as a barrier to keep bleach off their skin.
In addition, you'll want to try to keep the peroxide in your hair for as short a time as possible since the longer you leave it in there, the greater the chance you could accidentally irritate or even burn your scalp. This is an important step, so follow the directions closely.
And that's not all: that hair-lightening power also comes at the potential cost of weakening your hair's cuticles. For those not in the know, your cuticle is the outer layer of your hair and is essential for protecting and strengthening it.
The hydrogen peroxide in bleach can prove problematic here because, to bleach and dye your hair, it needs to enter the cuticle, which in turn can cause damage such as split ends, frizzing, and even breakage.
That breakage is especially concerning, and in rare cases, a bleach burn on the scalp has led to permanent hair loss, which is why it pays to follow the timing on the box.
Incidentally, deep conditioner treatments can help with this, so if you're going to invest in hair bleach, you should probably look into a few conditioners as well.
When applied properly, hair bleach can produce some of the most stunning hairstyles imaginable.
However, if you don't know what you're doing and how to counteract these potential negative effects, you could find yourself feeling burned, literally.
That being said, when used properly, hair bleach can be incredibly effective in a way that hair dyes often can't be and can lift your hair several shades. Just keep in mind that, according to the AAD, lightening your hair more than three shades takes stronger peroxide and causes more damage.
Hydrating Your Hair
One of the best ways to take advantage of the best qualities of hair bleach while preventing its worst consequences is to make sure that your hair and scalp are well-hydrated. Among the best things to pair with hair bleach to hydrate your scalp and hair are:
- Olive oil: Olive oil, though this is, as with hair bleach itself, a case where a little goes a long way. You should only need a few drops applied with your fingertips while focusing on the ends of your hair for maximum effect.
- Coconut oil: Coconut oil can do wonders for sealing your hair and preventing protein loss, which can cause your hair to degrade further. Try rubbing it in your palms to warm it up a bit before applying it to your frizzy spots as well as the ends.
- Argan oil: Argan oil has a ton of antioxidants, and in a lab study, hair treated with it before bleaching held up better against damage.
- Almond oil: Almond oil can soften dry ends after bleaching.
In addition, you’ll want to protect your hair and scalp from the sun.
Lightened hair is more easily damaged by UV rays, so the AAD suggests wearing a wide-brimmed hat when you’re outside. And never bleach a scalp that’s sunburned or irritated. Keeping your hair and scalp in good condition is critical when using a bleach solution.
How Do You Know if Bleach Is Expired?
First, check for an expiration date printed on the packaging, if there is one. If the expiration date has worn off, you can also look for changes in the bleach's color and consistency. If the bleach has turned color or clumped together, it may be a sign that the product has expired.
What Happens if You Use Old Bleach on Your Hair?
Old bleach is more likely to disappoint you than to hurt you: it may not lift as much, and it can leave uneven, patchy color. The breakage, dryness, and scalp burns people worry about come from bleaching itself, especially when it's left on too long, so follow the timing on the box either way.
Does Powdered Hair Bleach Expire?
Powdered hair bleach also expires, and some packages print the date. Powdered bleach can become less effective over time, especially if it has been exposed to moisture. To avoid potential issues, it's best to use powdered bleach within the recommended timeframe and store it in a cool, dry place.
Does Hair Bleach Expire if Unopened?
Hair bleach can expire even if it is unopened. Unopened hair bleach can last for up to three years if stored properly. However, it's important to remember that the bleach's effectiveness may decrease over time, so it's best to use the product sooner rather than later. Always check the color and consistency before using.
How Long Does Hair Bleach Last?
The lifespan of hair bleach depends on a few different factors, including the type of bleach, how it is stored, and whether or not it has been opened. Generally speaking, sealed bleach powder and developer can last up to about three years, and opened containers keep well if they're tightly closed and the powder stays dry. Once it's mixed, use it right away.
When Mixed How Long Can Hair Bleach Sit Out?
Once hair bleach has been mixed, it should be used immediately. Mixed bleach loses strength as it sits. Follow the time on the product's directions, and if you can't finish in that time, mix a fresh batch instead of using the old one. Never store leftover mixed bleach in a closed container, since it keeps releasing oxygen.
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Don't Use Bleach Beyond Its Shelf Life or Expired Developer
Hair bleach kits (like Manic Panic and other drugstore brands) are definitely the trickiest hair products when it comes to the maintenance and balancing act that is essential for good hair care.
Get something wrong, and you could severely damage your hair, hurt your scalp, and have to live with the consequences for weeks or even months to come.
If you have reason to believe that your bleach has passed its expiration date, the best way to avoid problems is to throw it away.
Sometimes the product's container will include an expiration date, so it's always a good idea to check the product's packaging for an expiration date. It's also one of the easiest ways to determine if the product's still usable.
However, if you can get it right, are sure to protect and hydrate your scalp, and don't use any expired bleach or other products, the Blonde Bombshell look can truly blow people away.
