What is the process of lightening hair called?

The process of lightening hair is known as bleaching. This technique involves using specific chemical agents to remove the natural pigment from the hair, resulting in a lighter color. Bleaching works by penetrating the hair shaft and breaking down the melanin, which is the pigment responsible for hair color. This process can be used on various hair types and is essential for achieving very light shades or for preparing the hair for subsequent coloring processes.

Highlighting, on the other hand, typically refers to the process of adding lighter strands of color to the hair rather than uniformly lightening the entire head. Frosting is similar to highlighting but usually involves applying lighter colors in a more scattered or sporadic manner, typically focusing on the tips of the hair. Ombre, meanwhile, describes a color technique where hair gradually transitions from darker roots to lighter ends rather than a technique specifically used for lightening hair. Thus, bleaching is the term that most accurately describes the overall process of hair lightening.