Buzz
Have you recently dyed your hair black and now feel it’s not quite what you wanted? Or perhaps your hair is naturally black, and you’re dreaming of a brown shade? Unfortunately, you can’t simply apply brown dye over black hair without first bleaching or lightening it. Once you’ve lightened your hair, you can choose your preferred brown tone and proceed with the dyeing process. Whether you’ve just dyed your hair black or it’s been a while, there are several methods to transition from black to brown.
Steps
Use Clarifying Shampoo to Remove Hair Dye
Choose the right product. There are two types of shampoos that can help strip hair color: clarifying shampoos rich in color-removing ingredients and anti-dandruff shampoos. These shampoos work by breaking down the pigments in your hair, helping it return to its natural shade. You can also use a conditioner (not designed for color-treated hair) to prevent damage while gradually fading the dye.
- Ensure the shampoo you use is not formulated for color-treated hair, such as Suave Daily Clarifying Shampoo. Since the goal is to remove color, avoid shampoos that protect or maintain hair dye.
Apply soap to your hair. Wrap a towel around your neck and step into the shower. Wet your hair with warm water to help open up the hair cuticles. Massage the shampoo into your hair, working from the roots to the tips. Ensure the shampoo is evenly distributed for uniform color removal. Rinse off the soap suds while continuing to massage the shampoo into your hair.
- The soap will take on the color of the hair dye. Avoid getting it in your eyes.
- Scrubbing your hair during washing helps the shampoo remove as much color as possible.
Heat your hair. After the shampoo has started to strip the color, cover your hair with a shower cap or plastic bag. Use a hairdryer to evenly heat your hair. Be careful not to melt the plastic cap or bag while heating. Once your hair is uniformly heated, leave the shampoo on for 15-20 minutes.
- If you have a hooded dryer, you can sit under it.
- If your hair is long, you may need to clip sections to fit it all under the cap.
Rinse and repeat. Rinse your hair thoroughly after 20 minutes. Apply more shampoo, work it into your hair, and wash it a second time. This step helps remove any remaining dye particles that were loosened during the shampooing and heating process. You don’t need to heat your hair during the second application.
Apply conditioner and heat. Spread conditioner from the roots to the tips of your hair. Use a hairdryer to heat your entire head. Leave the conditioner on for 25-30 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with cool water.
- Do not skip this step. Clarifying or anti-dandruff shampoos strip natural oils, leaving your hair brittle and dry. Conditioning immediately after helps restore moisture and repair damage.
Repeat the process. After the first round, your hair will noticeably lighten, though it may not completely lose its black tint. You might even see some of your natural hair color returning. However, not all the black dye will be removed in one go, so a second round is often necessary. Once your hair is light enough, you can proceed with dyeing it brown.
- Give your hair a day to recover between color-stripping sessions.
- This method doesn’t lighten naturally black hair; it only removes artificial dye.
Remove Hair Dye with Color Remover Cream
Choose a color remover product. There are various color removers available, some designed to lighten hair and others to strip away dye. Select the one that best suits your preferences or meets your specific needs.
- Some hair color removers contain peroxide, such as L'Oreal Color Zap, while others use bleaching agents like Effasol.
- Keep in mind that color removers won’t restore naturally black hair to its original shade. After removal, your hair may turn orange or yellowish.
Apply the color remover cream. Most color remover kits include two components: a powder and an activator. After mixing these, apply the solution evenly across your hair. Cover your hair with a shower cap and wait 15-60 minutes.
- For thick or long hair, you may need more than one box of color remover.
- Since these products contain peroxide, they can have a strong odor. Ensure the bathroom is well-ventilated, and avoid wearing new or nice clothing that could get stained.
- Always follow the mixing instructions on the packaging.
Rinse and condition your hair. After 15-60 minutes, rinse the remover out thoroughly. Apply a deep conditioning treatment to repair any damage caused by the peroxide. Rinse again and let your hair dry. Your hair should now be light enough to proceed with brown dye.
- Be cautious when using color removers. While less harsh than bleach, they can still damage your hair. If your hair is brittle or dry, use a conditioner before applying the remover.
Remove Hair Dye with Vitamin C
Gather your ingredients. For this method, you’ll need vitamin C in the form of tablets, capsules, or powder. Additionally, prepare your favorite shampoo, a comb, a towel, and a shower cap.
- For capsules, squeeze out the vitamin C powder. For tablets, crush them into a fine powder using your hands, a grinder, or a blender.
Mix the solution. Combine the vitamin C with shampoo. Measure and pour 1 tablespoon of vitamin C powder into a bowl (avoid metal bowls). Add 2 tablespoons of shampoo and mix thoroughly to form a paste. If the mixture is too runny, add more vitamin C powder to achieve the desired consistency.
- For long or thick hair, double or triple the ingredients. Ensure you have enough mixture to cover your entire head of hair evenly.
Apply to your hair. Wrap a towel around your neck before stepping into the shower. Wet your hair with warm water and gently squeeze out excess moisture. Apply the mixture evenly from roots to tips, using a comb to distribute it thoroughly. Once your hair is fully coated, cover it with a shower cap and wait for about an hour.
- For thick hair, clip sections up before putting on the shower cap to keep all hair inside.
Rinse, condition, and repeat. After an hour, rinse your hair thoroughly to remove all traces of the mixture. Let your hair dry, then apply a deep conditioner to restore lost moisture. If your hair still retains some black dye, repeat the process after a few days. Once the black color is fully removed, you can proceed with dyeing your hair brown.
- Give your hair time to recover between treatments. The acid in vitamin C can cause damage, so allow your hair to restore its natural oils before repeating the process.
Explore Other Options
Visit a hair salon. If you prefer not to remove hair dye at home, consult a professional at a salon. Experts understand how to care for and nourish hair, as well as how to treat damage caused by dye. A salon professional can assess your hair type, identify potential issues, and recommend a dyeing method that achieves your desired color with minimal damage.
- This option can be costly, so consider the expenses involved. The process includes both color removal and re-dyeing, meaning you’ll pay for two services.
Try a hair care academy. For a salon-like experience at a lower cost, visit a hair care academy. Students there can dye your hair for much less than a traditional salon and often provide additional hair care. However, since they are still in training, closely monitor the process to ensure they follow your instructions.
- Be prepared to be a "model" as students practice their skills.
- Set aside several hours, as the process may take longer than expected.
Wait it out. If the above methods don’t appeal to you or aren’t effective, you can wait for the black dye to fade naturally. This approach takes longer but is less damaging. Use non-color-protecting shampoos to speed up the fading process. Once the black has lightened sufficiently, you can dye your hair brown.
- The time required depends on whether you used demi-permanent or semi-permanent dye, ranging from a few weeks to several months.
Tips
- While some recommend bleaching, this method can cause significant damage. Avoid bleaching if possible.
- After removing color and dyeing your hair, invest time in deep conditioning and moisturizing treatments to restore strength. Dyeing can make hair brittle and dry.
- Your hair’s condition influences the method you choose. If your hair is already damaged, consider whether dyeing will worsen it. For healthy hair, evaluate the potential impact of the dyeing process.
- Temporary black dye is easier to remove. The stronger the dye, the harder it is to eliminate the black color.
