What Hair Lightening Sprays Are Really Doing to Your Hair (And Why Your Colourist Might Be Quietly Panicking)

Ah, the Aussie summer. Long days, salty swims, and that sun-kissed glow we all love—especially when it comes with natural-looking highlights. Enter: the lightening spray. You know the one. A few spritzes, some sunshine (or a hairdryer), and suddenly you’re giving coastal blonde energy.

But here’s the thing: what seems like an easy way to lighten your hair at home can become a nightmare when it’s time to sit in your colourist’s chair.

If your last trip to the salon ended with your hairdresser giving you that polite-but-pained smile… this might be why.

What’s Actually in Hair Lightening Spray?

Most lightening sprays rely on hydrogen peroxide, the same chemical found in permanent hair colour and bleach—just in lower concentrations. When you combine it with heat or UV exposure, it acts like a slow-motion bleach, breaking down melanin (your hair’s natural pigment) and lightening the hair fibre over time.

Sounds harmless, right? But here’s the catch:

This process is uncontrolled and uneven. You're not just lifting colour—you’re altering the structure of the hair shaft. And once that structure changes, everything from tone to texture can go a bit sideways.

So… What’s the Problem at the Salon?

From a chemistry point of view, lightening sprays make your hair more porous. That means:

• Your hair absorbs colour unevenly
  
  

• Toners might grab too dark or too ashy
  
  

• Permanent dye might turn patchy or flat
  
  

• You can end up with weird banding or brassiness that’s hard to fix
  
  

• The damage isn’t always visible—until the next colour appointment
  
  

Your hairdresser isn’t being dramatic—they’re working with hair that’s been chemically altered in ways they can’t always predict or correct in one session.

But What If You Don’t Colour Your Hair—Can You Still Use a Lightening Spray?

Technically, yes. If you’re just after a bit of sun-kissed brightness and don’t mind some subtle, uneven lift, a lightening spray can create that effect over time. But here’s the thing: even without colouring, you're still chemically altering your hair. That means increased dryness, frizz, and long-term damage to the hair’s natural strength and elasticity. So while it may look great short term, it’s often not the most hair-friendly way to lighten—especially if you’re trying to keep your routine low-tox or your strands healthy and strong.

A better alternative? Focus on hair health and let your natural colour shine—or work with a trusted stylist for subtle highlights done right (without compromising your hair’s integrity).

How to Spot If Your Hair’s Been Over-Lightened at Home

• Your ends look lighter, but also feel rougher or straw-like
  
  

• Hair feels drier than usual, especially in sunlight
  
  

• Toner fades unusually fast
  
  

• You see patchy light or warm sections that don’t blend well
  
  

• Colour seems to “grab” more than usual (and not in a good way)
  
  

What To Do If You’ve Used a Lightening Spray

First, no shame—we’ve all tried the “shortcut” at some point. Here’s how to bounce back:

• Tell your stylist before your next colour, so they can plan accordingly
  
  

• Strengthen your hair with protein-rich products like our Strength & Repair Shampoo and Conditioner
  
  

• Avoid colouring again straight away if the hair feels compromised
  
  

• Use hydrating oils and a rinseable serum to seal the cuticle and reduce porosity. Our Shine & Moisture Hair Serum is your bestie here
  
  

• Let your hair rest for a few weeks before re-colouring, if possible
  
  

Final Thoughts: Skip the Spray, Save the Hair

Hair lightening sprays might promise a golden glow, but underneath the sunlit shimmer is often a whole lot of chemical change. The kind your hairdresser didn’t sign up for.

If you're after that subtle, beachy blonde without the post-summer salon drama, your best bet is to talk to your colourist—or choose products designed to protect, not bleach, your strands.

Because low-tox doesn’t mean no fun. It means understanding what your hair really needs—and choosing what works with your hair, not against it.