Buzz
Maintaining your desired hair color can often be quite costly. If you’ve recently dyed your hair and find the shade too dark, you can lighten it without visiting an expensive salon. Achieving a relatively brighter hair color is possible, but it’s important to manage your expectations. If you feel unable to do it yourself (and can’t tolerate the overly dark shade), you may need to consult a professional hairstylist.
Steps
Immediate Actions After Dyeing Your Hair
Wash your hair with hot water. The heat will open the cuticles, allowing the dye to wash out more easily. You can stand under a shower or lean over a sink to rinse your hair thoroughly.
Use a clarifying shampoo not designed for color-treated hair. Apply the shampoo immediately after dyeing if the results are unsatisfactory to help strip some of the new color. Pour a small amount of shampoo (or as recommended on the product label) into your palm and apply it to your freshly dyed, wet hair. While you shouldn’t be too rough, you’ll need to apply more pressure than a gentle massage with regular shampoo.
- Many brands of clarifying shampoos are available at stores and supermarkets. Just ensure you choose one that’s not intended for color-treated hair.
Apply conditioner. After using a clarifying shampoo, you’ll need to counteract its strong cleansing effect by moisturizing your hair. Take a moderate amount of conditioner into your palms and massage it from the roots to the tips, then rinse thoroughly.
- If possible, wait a few days before attempting to strip the dye to allow your hair to recover from the chemical process. However, if you must remove the color as soon as possible, don’t forget to restore damaged hair by using conditioner.
Mix baking soda with shampoo
Combine 2 cups of baking soda and 1/4 cup of clarifying shampoo in a bowl (avoid metal bowls). The alkaline nature of baking soda will open the hair cuticles, helping the shampoo strip away some of the dye. Use a whisk to mix the baking soda and shampoo thoroughly.
- If you have hair longer than shoulder length, you may need up to 3 cups of baking soda to effectively lighten the color.
Wet your hair with hot water. The high temperature, combined with baking soda, will significantly open the hair cuticles.
Apply the mixture to wet hair. You can use your hands or a brush to spread the mixture evenly over your hair. Ensure the mixture covers all dyed sections to avoid patchy results after lightening.
- Be careful to avoid contact with your eyes. Wrap a towel or cloth around your head to prevent the mixture from dripping onto your face.
Rinse off after 5-15 minutes. The waiting time depends on how many shades lighter you want your hair to be. The longer the mixture stays on your hair, the more effective the lightening, but do not exceed 15 minutes. You can reapply the mixture if the first attempt doesn’t yield the desired results.
Partially dry your hair to check the color. You may need to wash your hair again, and heat can damage your hair, so only dry a small section to inspect. If you’re satisfied with the color, you can dry your entire hair. Otherwise, mix another batch of baking soda and shampoo to repeat the process.
Mix another batch of baking soda and shampoo if necessary. If the hair color isn’t light enough, you can apply the mixture again. Enhance the mixture’s effectiveness by adding a tablespoon of color-removing powder. Wear gloves when applying the mixture containing the powder.
- After lightening your hair, avoid heat styling for 1-2 days. The dyeing and lightening process can easily damage your hair.
Use a shower cap
Mix bleach, shampoo, and developer. In a clean bowl, combine equal parts bleach, shampoo, and developer. Mix thoroughly.
- You can purchase the developer at beauty supply stores, pharmacies, or places that sell hair dye products.
Apply the mixture to wet hair. Wet your hair and gently towel-dry it before applying the mixture. Wear gloves before handling. Start at the roots and work the mixture gradually through your hair.
Use a shower cap to cover your hair. Leave the mixture on your hair and cover it with a shower cap for 10 minutes. Do not leave it on for too long to avoid damaging your hair.
- If you don’t have a shower cap, you can use plastic wrap to cover your hair.
Rinse thoroughly at the end. Use cold water to rinse out the mixture completely. Apply conditioner to prevent breakage and damage. You can also use a hair mask for extra care.
Create a vitamin C mixture
Crush 15-20 vitamin C tablets in a bowl. You can use a mortar and pestle or a blunt tool that won’t damage the bowl.
Add a small amount of anti-dandruff shampoo to the vitamin C powder. You only need enough to create a paste-like mixture. Use a whisk to blend it thoroughly.
Wet your hair with hot water. The hot water will open the hair cuticles, allowing the mixture to strip the dye more effectively.
Apply the mixture evenly to your hair. Use your hands to spread the mixture across your hair. Ensure it’s applied uniformly to avoid patchy results after the dye is removed.
Leave it on for about an hour. Use a shower cap if necessary. After an hour, rinse the mixture out of your hair with cool water.
- Use conditioner to moisturize if your hair feels dry after the treatment.
Spray hydrogen peroxide
Pour hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle. For best results, use a spray bottle to apply hydrogen peroxide to your hair. Pouring it directly from the bottle makes it difficult to control how much of your hair is being treated.
- The effectiveness of hydrogen peroxide is unpredictable, and this method should be a last resort. Hydrogen peroxide doesn’t wash out dye and chemicals but may introduce more chemicals to your hair. Use it with caution.
Spray hydrogen peroxide evenly on your hair. Set the spray bottle to a “mist” setting (if available) rather than a “stream” setting. Spray the hydrogen peroxide on the sections of hair you want to lighten from about 30 cm away. Use your hand or a cloth to shield your eyes.
- Hydrogen peroxide is safe for skin but can cause eye irritation. Rinse your eyes with cool water immediately if it comes into contact with them.
- Sun exposure can help lighten hair but may also dry it out. If you spray hydrogen peroxide on your hair, be cautious about sun exposure when going outside.
- Use clips to section your hair, ensuring only the desired areas are sprayed.
Rinse your hair thoroughly with cool water after 30 minutes. Leaving hydrogen peroxide on your hair for more than 30 minutes can cause dryness or over-processing. Excessive use may also turn your hair a brassy orange color.
- Use a deep-conditioning treatment if your hair feels dry after using hydrogen peroxide.
Tips
- Consult a professional hairstylist if your hair is severely damaged.
