When lightening hair, where should you start the application?

When lightening hair, it's essential to start the application in the darkest area because this part of the hair generally requires more time to process. The natural heat generated by the scalp causes the hair at the roots to lighten faster than the lengths, so if you were to start there, it could lead to uneven results. By beginning with the darkest area, you ensure that it has enough exposure to the lightener to achieve the desired level of lift evenly throughout the hair. This technique allows the mid-lengths and ends to be lightened appropriately without over-processing the roots, leading to a more balanced and uniform outcome.

Understanding the necessary processing time for different sections of hair is critical for achieving an even result when lightening. Starting in the darkest area helps to mitigate issues such as hot roots, where the hair closest to the scalp becomes lighter than the rest, ultimately leading to a more harmonious and professional finish.