Stripping and bleaching are chemical processes applied to hair to change its current color. Bleaching hair removes the natural pigments and will result in a blond or light orange hue. Stripping removes dyes and will return the hair to its natural color.
Misconceptions
Stripping and bleaching are similar processes but perform very different functions.
Function
Hair stylists will choose to either strip or bleach hair depending on the current color and the client's desired result. Clients whose hair is not currently dyed and wish to have a lighter color hair will need to have their hair bleached first. It is not possible to dye hair lighter than its current color.
Stripping
Stripping is method that makes the hair more porous so that unwanted hair color can be removed. It usually preludes dying hair a new color.
Bleaching
Bleaching removes melanin, which is responsible for giving the hair shaft its specific color. Extremely dark hair may have to be bleached several times before the desired color result is reached. Bleaching hair is considered to be a permanent dying option.
Warning
Bleaching and stripping increase the fragility of the hair shaft and can lead to dry, dehydrated, "hay-like" hair that may not be desirable to some clients.