Hair Lighteners Have Come a Long Way—9 Formulas Hairstylists Love

When I think about hair lighteners, I often recall memories of being in middle school hearing about my classmates who decided to put lemon juice in their hair to get a sun-kissed look. More often than not, there would be some mixed results, but they were determined to get the look they wanted. Eventually, people started putting down the lemon juice and picking up actual hair products that promised similar results if not better.

“Hair lighteners work by using alkaline agents and persulfates to open the hair cuticle, while hydrogen peroxide breaks down the natural melanin (pigment) inside the hair,” says celebrity stylist Mario Solis. “As the pigment is lifted, the hair becomes lighter.” He adds that the amount of lift depends on the hair’s natural color, previous color history, product choice, developer strength, and proper application.