I have naturally black hair and now I want a chestnut brown. Do I need to bleach my hair?

I went to a hair consultation and was told that I need to get my hair lighten, which is like bleaching it. I know bleaching hair is not very good for hair and can be damaging. Do I really need to get it bleached in order to get it from black to maybe two shades lighter?

I have naturally black hair and now I want a chestnut brown. Do I need to bleach my hair?
funny u posted this question..doing the same with mine..if u want to go from dark to light, a completly different color like from black to the chesnut, you WILL have to bleach and bleaching is rough on hair but u can just condition condition and use more conditioners..you did the right thing by going to a hair consult. It also depends on if you have have virgin hair (never colored your hair before) take the professionals advice and let them do the work. It's money well spent.
Reply:if its not colored you can get from jet black to medium /light brown with out bleach, but it will be itchy, they need to use a strong color which makes most people itchy. if you have it colored black, then youre screwed basically, slowly start getting light brown highlights and keep getting them till its almost all light brown. bleach its crazy harsh and NOT required if your hair isn't colored yet.you can get from black to a chocolate brown *if theres no color in there* without bleach, she is an old school stylist, find a new one.
Reply:no you just need to get high lights.
Reply:huh, he/she just wants your money. I don't think it's necessary.