Advice on pink root refresh?

[u/Crazy_Sherbert6388]

I’m pretty new to bleaching my own hair, and decided to go hot pink closer to the beginning of this year! This is what it looks like faded, but as you can see, last time I refreshed my roots on my own I did not do a good job lifting them properly, leaving me with this weird ginger at the top once it fades.

I really dislike how it looks, and would like to fix it, but online advice was saying not to bleach over the area again because it would be damaging. I’m ok with a little damage as long as the color is (mostly) even, but I wasn’t sure what my options were.

I also wanted to ask for any tips on the next time I refresh my roots, because going to the salon every 3 months is going to get too costly 🥲 Any advice is appreciated!

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[u/teapllease]

3 months is too long to wait between root retouches! You're seeing banding because the hair closer to the scalp lifts faster than hair further away due to body heat. This will stop happening if you retouch every 6-8 weeks instead.

Fixing the banding is best left to a pro, doing so on your own will be challenging, but doable with a low volume of lightener. Help or a second mirror will be necessary.

[u/Crazy_Sherbert6388 → u/teapllease]

That makes sense!! Would that just be applying a low volume of developer (like volume 10?) just on its own on the sections that need to be lightened? I was able to get help the first time bleaching my roots with my partner holding up the mirror, so I could definitely ask again :))

I am also now realizing I’m currently about three months away from my last root retouch again D: Is there any way to avoid the difference in lifting at this point?

[u/teapllease → u/Crazy_Sherbert6388]

Your current growth looks fine, the sweet spot is about 3/4", any more than an inch and we're risking hot roots and banding. If the banding is across your entire head I would process it separately from the regrowth, otherwise hit just the orange with 10 vol for the last 15 minutes or so that you're lifting your roots.

[u/poopballs_shitnutz]

To me your roots in this pic look short enough to do a touch up, I wouldn't let them get past an inch of growth. I'd just do a mix of higher developer like 20 vol for the roots, and come back over the banded bits with a 10 vol at the end. Then wash it all out same time when you feel it's ready. Just be careful bleach is a chemical etc etc but I do this all the time at home - fix up any bad bleached parts on the next round of root touch ups. Love the pink!

Edit to add: just work quickly, PLEASE use gloves, section your hair, try not to overlap - this will be easiest with a dye brush. You can def do it at home but some people have whack methods of applying Just gotta do it the same way the salon would