Ace That Fade! Wisconsin Barber Exam 2026 – Snip Your Way to Success!

Hydrogen peroxide is the primary active ingredient in most hair bleaching products because it acts as an oxidizing agent. When applied to the hair, it works by breaking down the natural pigment, or melanin, found in the hair shaft, which lightens the natural color of the hair. This process involves the chemical reaction that occurs when hydrogen peroxide penetrates the hair cuticle, leading to its bleaching effect.

Ammonia is often used in conjunction with hydrogen peroxide to help open the hair cuticle and allow the bleaching agent to penetrate more effectively, but it is not the main ingredient responsible for the bleaching itself. Sodium chloride, commonly known as salt, is not a bleaching agent and is generally used in other hair products for different functions like texture and preservation. Alcohol is used in various cosmetic products for its solvent properties, but it does not contribute to the bleaching process. Thus, hydrogen peroxide’s role in directly lightening hair color establishes it as the key component in bleaching products.