What is the purpose of pre-lightening in hair coloring?

Pre-lightening in hair coloring serves the essential purpose of lifting the natural pigment from the hair. This process involves the use of lightening agents, such as bleach, to remove some of the existing color. By doing so, it creates a blank canvas for the application of new hair color, especially for achieving lighter shades and vibrant tones that might not be possible on darker hair.

When the natural pigment is lifted, it allows for better color absorption, ensuring that the desired shade appears true to the formulation. This is especially important for achieving pastel colors or bright fashion shades, where the underlying darkness of the hair can otherwise overpower the new color.

Maintaining hair health, adding shine, and preparing hair for styling, while important aspects of hair care and coloring, do not directly relate to the primary function of pre-lightening. Instead, pre-lightening specifically targets the modification of the hair’s pigment level to facilitate and enhance the subsequent coloring process.