You’ve firmly decided on ‘Light Brown’ hair color. You bring inspiration photos of ‘Ash Brown’ or ‘Caramel’ to the salon. However, your hairstylist asks a crucial question: “Are you ready to bleach?”
Many are confused, “Isn’t brown a dark color? Why do I need to bleach?” The answer lies in our natural hair level. The jet-black hair of Indonesians is typically at Level 2 or 3. Meanwhile, ‘Light Brown’ is at Level 6 or 7. To ‘ascend’ from Level 2 to Level 7, we must first ‘lift’ our hair’s natural dark pigments. This technical guide will explain how many bleaching processes you will need.
Understanding Hair “Levels”
Imagine hair levels as a 10-step ladder:
- Level 1-3: Black – Darkest Brown (Natural Indonesian hair).
- Level 4-5: Brown – Medium Brown.
- Level 6-7: Light Brown (Your Target Color).
- Level 8-10: Blonde – Platinum (Color for Grey/Silver).
Bleaching: For Which Light Brown Shades?
- ‘Warm’ Light Brown Shades (Golden / Caramel / Copper Brown)
Bleaching Needed? Yes, but ONLY 1 SESSION (Light Bleaching).
Why: To reach Level 6-7, your black hair needs to be bleached once. This process will lift black pigments, resulting in ‘orange’ or ‘yellow-orange’ hair. This is a perfect ‘canvas’. Your Caramel/Golden/Copper hair dye will then ‘overlay’ this orange tone, creating a rich, warm brown color.
- ‘Cool’ Light Brown Shades (Ash Brown / Milk Tea Brown)
Bleaching Needed? Yes, REQUIRED 1-2 SESSIONS (Full Bleaching).
Why: This is more complex. ‘Ash’ (grey) is a ‘cool’ tone. If you apply Ash dye over orange hair (result of 1x bleaching), the grey tone will be ‘overpowered’ and the result will remain ‘brassy’ (yellowish). To achieve a clear ‘Ash’ tone, your hair canvas must be ‘clean’, meaning at Level 8 (pale yellow). This may require 2x bleaching.
- Medium Brown Shades (Medium Brown / Dark Brown)
Bleaching Needed? NOT NEEDED (or a very light ‘Bleach-Wash’).
Why: If your target is only to reach Level 4-5 (Medium Brown), many modern ‘hi-lift’ hair dyes can achieve this without bleaching. The result is subtle, but your hair remains much healthier.
Bleaching Guide Table (Estimates)
- Target Color: Medium Brown (Dark Brown) | Target Level: 4-5 | Estimated Bleaching (from Black): 0 Sessions (Can be done without bleaching)
- Target Color: ‘Warm’ Light Brown (Caramel, Golden) | Target Level: 6-7 | Estimated Bleaching (from Black): 1 Bleaching Session
- Target Color: ‘Cool’ Light Brown (Ash Brown) | Target Level: 7-8 | Estimated Bleaching (from Black): 1-2 Bleaching Sessions
- Target Color: Milk Tea Brown / Ash Blonde | Target Level: 8-9 | Estimated Bleaching (from Black): 2-3 Bleaching Sessions
Mandatory Post-Bleaching Care
Hair that has been bleached (cuticles opened) becomes very vulnerable, dry, and prone to color ‘fading’ (brassy).
- Mandatory Purple Shampoo: Especially for those choosing ‘Ash Brown’. Purple shampoo will ‘counteract’ the yellow/brassy pigments that appear with every wash, keeping your ‘Ash’ color vibrant.
- Mandatory Hair Mask: Replace your regular conditioner with a protein/keratin-rich Hair Mask at least twice a week. Your hair is ‘hungry’ for nutrients.
- Mandatory Hair Vitamins: Use hair serum/vitamins daily on the ends of your hair to prevent split ends.
Achieving your dream light brown color is a process that requires commitment—both commitment during bleaching at the salon and commitment to home care. Discuss with your hairstylist the safest bleaching level for your current hair condition.
