Moon bath: 5 steps to make your hair light

An alternative to hair removal that, moreover, does not cause pain and redness on the skin. This dream is possible with the moon bath, a body hair lightening procedure performed in beauty salons and aesthetic clinics, but which can be easily reproduced at home by you.

The basis of the treatment is the application of a bleaching product on the skin for a few minutes. The hair color is lightened, making it closer to blonde. The moon bath is quite common on the legs and arms and gives a special charm to tanned skin.

Maria Inez Grimaldi is responsible for the Skin SPA unit in Piracicaba (SP), which offers this service. She explains that performing the procedure at the clinic can take from 30 minutes to 2 hours and is suitable for all skin types. “The restriction is that the skin does not have any type of injury or healing process”, she highlights.

The expert created a step-by-step guide on how to take a moon bath at home quickly and easily. Check out:

Step 1: Protect your skin

Although bleach is not harmful to the skin, it is always important to protect it before performing any cosmetic procedure. “I really like using shea or cupuaçu butter for this step. It protects from the action of bleach and also helps to hydrate the skin”, recommends Maria Inez.

Check out suggestions for products that can be used in this step:

Step 2: Apply the bleach

With the skin already hydrated, it’s time to start the moon bath. Gradually add hydrogen peroxide to the bleaching powder until you get a creamy, firm mixture. Using gloves and a brush, apply the preparation to the parts of the body that you are going to discolor. Let it act for 5 to 10 minutes.

“This is the most important phase. Pay attention to the application time! The hairs cannot be very light, as they run the risk of breaking and falling out”, warns Maria Inez. Check out some suggestions for bleaching powder to use at home:

Step 3: Wash with running water

The best way to remove the mixture from the skin is using running water and a mild liquid soap. Lightly massage the areas that have undergone application until the product has been completely removed. Do not leave residue on the skin and, if you prefer, use a soft sponge to help with the removal.

Step 4: Make a body scrub

Still in the shower, with the skin already clean, you can take the opportunity to do a body scrub to remove dead cells. This practice is important for deep cleaning, as well as facilitating the absorption of moisturizers, preventing ingrown hairs and reducing the incidence of stains, blackheads and pimples.

Another positive point is that by massaging the skin (make circular movements!), you stimulate the production of collagen, a fundamental protein for the firmness and vitality of your skin. Here are some suggestions for exfoliators to use at this stage:

Step 5: Hydrate your skin

After exfoliation, hydration is always welcome! You can use the same products used in the first step to prepare the skin for the moon bath or any other moisturizer of your choice.

Essential care in the moon bath

Here are some more important care you should take before, during and after the moon bath:

• If you’ve never used bleach, it’s worth taking a test to see if you’re allergic to the product. The day before application, apply a little bit of the mixture on your arm and let it act for up to 10 minutes. Clean the skin with soap and water and wait until the next day to see if it has any reaction.
• When applying the bleach, be careful not to get it on your clothes or bikini. The product stains and you don’t want to lose a piece because of it;
• During the application of the bleach, your skin cannot itch or sting. If this happens, immediately remove all the mixture under running water;
• Leave the mixture for less time on the skin on the first application. That way, you don’t run the risk of discoloring your hair too much and you’ll still have a better reference on how long you should keep the product in the next applications. It’s better to be left with a taste of “I want it clearer” than regret it later.

If you still have any doubts about the procedure, it is worth watching this video, in which Paola Gavazzi humorously demonstrates how easy it is to bleach hair at home: