Toner and bleach bath: what they do and what they cost
A toner adjusts the shade of lightened hair, typically softening yellow or brassy tones, while a bleach bath is a diluted lightener used for a gentler lift or to help shift colour build-up. At the Soma Blow Wave Bar in Pretoria, a toner is R380 to R510 and a bleach bath is R480 - R960.
What does a toner do to your hair?
When hair is lightened, it passes through warm stages: red, orange and then yellow. A toner deposits a sheer layer of colour on top to adjust that tone. Violet-based toners are often used to soften yellow, and blue-based toners to soften orange. A toner can also add warmth, for example to turn a cool blonde more golden, or to soften highlights so they sit more naturally with the rest of your hair.
A toner is usually not a lightener. It changes the tone of what is there rather than making the hair noticeably lighter.
Why does blonde hair turn brassy?
Lightening removes some natural pigment but often leaves warm pigments behind. Over the weeks, the toner applied in the salon gradually washes out, and those warm tones start to show again. Sun, heat styling, hard water and chlorine can all speed this up. Hair that is more porous after lightening tends to lose tone faster too.
How often should you tone blonde hair?
Many people with lightened hair have a toner with each lightening appointment and again in between, often every 4 to 8 weeks, depending on how quickly their tone fades. A toning shampoo at home can stretch the time between salon toners. Your stylist can suggest an interval once they see how your hair holds tone.
What is a bleach bath?
A bleach bath, sometimes called a bleach wash or soap cap, mixes lightener with shampoo or developer to make a gentler, diluted mix. It is often used for a small, even lift across the hair, to help lift out some built-up or unwanted colour, or to brighten lightened hair that has dulled. Results depend heavily on your hair's history, so it is not a substitute for a full colour correction.
Is a bleach bath less damaging than bleach?
A bleach bath is generally milder than a full-strength lightener, but it is still a lightening process and can still dry out or weaken hair, especially hair that is already porous or previously lightened. That is why your stylist will look at your hair first. As general good practice, many salons strand test hair with a complex colour history before any lightening, and patch test before colour.
Can you tone hair that has not been lightened?
A toner works best on hair that has been lightened, because the change in tone shows most on pale hair. On natural, darker hair, a toner may add a subtle shine or a slight shift in warmth, but it usually will not make a dramatic difference. If you want a visible change on unlightened hair, a tint or highlights are more likely to get you there.
Is a salon toner different from a toning shampoo?
Yes. A salon toner is mixed and applied by your stylist to target your specific tone, and it usually gives a more noticeable correction. A purple or blue toning shampoo deposits a small amount of pigment each wash, which helps maintain tone at home but does not replace a salon toner. Used too often, toning shampoo can leave pale hair looking dull or slightly lilac, so follow your stylist's advice on how often to use it.
What happens at a toner or bleach bath appointment?
Your stylist will typically start by looking at your current tone, your colour history and the condition of your hair, including how porous it feels. That is when they confirm whether you need a toner, a bleach bath, both, or a different service altogether, and confirm your length band and price. Bring photos of the shade you are aiming for, as words like ash, beige and golden mean different things to different people.
How much do toner and bleach bath cost in Pretoria?
Toner is priced by hair length. The menu lists it for short, medium and long hair; if your hair is extra long, ask us when you book.
| Service | Short | Medium | Long | Extra Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toner | R380 | R440 | R510 | Not offered |
- Bleach BathR480 - R960
The bleach bath is listed as a range of R480 - R960, and your stylist confirms your price at the consultation. On any of the above services, add a Blow Wave for R200 and a cut and Blow Wave for R290.
Toner and bleach for men
The Blow Wave Bar also lists a gent's toner and a gent's bleach on its gent's menu.
- Gent's BleachR780
- Gent's TonerR240
How do you keep toned hair looking fresh?
- Use a colour-safe, sulphate-free shampoo for regular washes.
- Use a purple or blue toning shampoo occasionally, if your stylist recommends it, and do not overuse it.
- Apply a heat protectant before blow drying, straightening or curling.
- Rinse with cooler water and protect your hair from sun and chlorine.
- Keep lightened hair conditioned, because porous hair tends to lose tone faster.
For lightened hair that feels dry, an Inoar basin treatment can be added to your visit.
Booking a toner or bleach bath
The Blow Wave Bar is inside Soma Laser & Skincare Clinic at 203 Lange St, Nieuw Muckleneuk, Pretoria. We are open Tuesday to Friday from 07h30 to 17h30 and Saturday from 07h00 to 13h00. Call or WhatsApp 083 573 0982, or email info@somalaser.co.za. Let us know about your colour history when you book.
Booking policy
- Please ensure all treatments are cancelled 12 hours in advance.
- All appointments missed without a cancellation will incur a 50% cancellation fee.
- Please ensure that you arrive 5 minutes before your appointment starts.
- Late arrivals will be charged full price & time adjusted accordingly.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a toner at the Soma Blow Wave Bar?
A toner is R380 for short hair, R440 for medium and R510 for long hair. The menu does not list a toner price for extra long hair, so ask us when you book. Your stylist confirms your length at the consultation, and you can add a blow wave afterwards.
What is the difference between a toner and a bleach bath?
A toner adjusts the tone of the hair, for example softening yellow or brassy blonde, and usually does not lighten it. A bleach bath is a diluted lightener, so it can lift the hair gently or help remove some colour build-up. Your stylist will recommend which one, or which combination, suits your hair and the result you want.
How long does a toner last?
A salon toner gradually washes out, so many people notice the tone shifting after a few weeks. How long it lasts depends on how often you wash, your hair's porosity, heat styling and sun exposure. Colour-safe shampoo, a toning shampoo used occasionally, and heat protection can all help it last longer between appointments.
How much does a bleach bath cost?
A bleach bath at the Blow Wave Bar is R480 - R960. Your stylist looks at your hair, its length and its colour history first, and confirms your price at the consultation before any lightener is applied. You can add a blow wave, or a cut and blow wave, to the same appointment.
Does a bleach bath damage hair?
A bleach bath is usually milder than a full-strength lightener, but it is still a lightening process and can dry out or weaken hair, especially hair that is already porous or lightened. Your stylist will assess your hair first. As general good practice, many salons strand test hair with a complex colour history before lightening.
