What chemical process occurs during hair bleaching?

During hair bleaching, the primary chemical process involves the removal of melanin from the hair. Melanin is the pigment responsible for the natural color of hair, ranging from black to blonde. The bleaching process utilizes oxidizing agents, such as hydrogen peroxide, which penetrate the hair shaft and break down melanin molecules.

This decolorization leads to lighter hair colors by effectively stripping the hair of its original pigment. By removing melanin, the hair can achieve various shades of blonde or even become completely colorless, depending on the concentration of the bleaching agent and the duration of the process.

The other options do not accurately reflect what happens during the bleaching process. For instance, color deposit refers to the addition of pigment, which is characteristic of dyeing rather than bleaching. The addition of moisture is not a relevant factor in bleaching, as the process typically leads to a loss of moisture due to the chemical reactions involved. Likewise, while some individuals might experience a change in hair texture as a side effect of bleaching, alteration of hair texture is not a primary chemical process associated with the bleaching itself. Thus, the focus remains on the effective removal of melanin to achieve the desired lightness of the hair.