FIRST home bleach :S

If I'm correct, I think the "off the scalp" bleach formulas are considered stronger because they're mostly used for highlighting, not for all-over bleaching.  See what others say, but I'd say if you dilute the formula in a bleach bath, as you plan, it will lessen the strength of the peroxide.  If you dilute 50:50 with shampoo, you get basically a 15-volume solution.

30-volume is quite strong though, stronger than if you'd use a 20-volume and dilute to get a 15-volume.  So if you do use it for the bleach bath, be sure to assess the condition of your hair afterwards and consider lowering the strength if you plan to do further bleach baths.

You're never actually supposed to put bleach or any dye with peroxide on the scalp. You're supposed to paint them on with a mm or 2 to spare from the scalp. The heat of your scalp then makes it expand to cover this area. This has the effect, that although it touches the scalp, it's a lot more gentle.

Of course, at home, we can't do this and no hairdresser seems to do it anymore either. I've recently had my roots done at the hairdressers twice and really wish I hadn't. One practically scrubbed the bleach in to my scalp.

If you make sure it's on dirty hair with an oily scalp, with added coconut oil, then that'll help a lot.

If you make sure it's on dirty hair with an oily scalp, with added coconut oil, then that'll help a lot.

yeah that was my plan. speaking of which, is holland & barrett my best bet for buying c/o?

and what about the cling film, is it safe to wrap my hair in it with bleach?

thanks for the responses so far!

Holland and Barrett is a pretty expensive way of getting it. If you have any asian shops near by try them. I don't have any near by, so I end up normally getting it in Holland and Barrett or pick one up when I'm in a different area of London!

Cling film is fine. Just be careful to make sure there's very little on your skin, around the hairline, nape and behind ears, before putting it on. It can burn those areas quite badly if you are a little slap dash. The heat trapped under the cling film makes it worse.

If you make sure it's on dirty hair with an oily scalp, with added coconut oil, then that'll help a lot.

yeah that was my plan. speaking of which, is holland & barrett my best bet for buying c/o?

and what about the cling film, is it safe to wrap my hair in it with bleach?

thanks for the responses so far!

If You plan on a consistent and continuous use of coconut oil, I *believe* you can get a 1kg tub of extra virgin, organic, cold pressed coconut oil on eBay for 13 quid with free postage

wow you guys,  asian supermarkets are definitely the way to go for coconut oil! managed to pick up a 250ml bottle for £1.80 😀

another question: i think i'm gonna cover my hair in the c/o, leave it for a few hours, then do the bleach bath. but i also have a "coconut oil formula deep conditioning protein pack" which i was gonna use afterwards... would that be too much protein for one day?

Hmm... Sometimes coconut oil sold in bottles isn't the right kind. Put it in the fridge (seeing as it's hot right now). If it sets it's probably ok. If it stays liquid then it's no good 🙁

Hmm... Sometimes coconut oil sold in bottles isn't the right kind. Put it in the fridge (seeing as it's hot right now). If it sets it's probably ok. If it stays liquid then it's no good 🙁

Seconded. I bought the refined stuff in the bottle that was always liquid and it was not the right thing at all 🙁
I think you need unrefined oil.

oh no, i mean it's packaged in a bottle but it's actually solid! 🙂

wait. i don't actually know how i'm going to get it out of the bottle. oh well!

Put it in warm water 🙂

I got a couple tubs of coconut oil for about £2/ea at a local butchers!  They sell loads of spices and stuff.

But just last week, I saw the same tubs of coconut oil at Sainsbury's for about £2.50, with their (what's it called?) "international" food stock, i.e., not with the normal cooking oils. ::)

thanks ladies! gonna stick this coconut oil on, leave it for a few hours, then attempt the bleach bath. i'm worried about timing my roots right but hey, here goes nothing!