How to Lighten Dyed Hair Using Vitamin C

Use white vitamin C tablets for the best results. You can purchase white vitamin C at pharmacies or online. Opt for the white variety instead of orange or red to avoid staining your hair with unwanted colors.

Place 10-30 vitamin C tablets into a resealable plastic bag. For long hair, use 20-30 tablets. For short hair, 10-20 tablets should suffice. Ensure the bag is tightly sealed after adding the vitamin C.

Crush the vitamin C using a rolling pin. Place the bag on a flat surface like a table or countertop. Roll the pin over the bag to grind the tablets into a fine powder.

• Alternatively, you can use a spice grinder to pulverize the vitamin C tablets.

Mix the vitamin C powder with 3-4 tablespoons (about 45-60ml) of shampoo in a bowl. Use a clear, colorless shampoo for best results. If you have very long hair and have crushed a large number of tablets, use 5-6 tablespoons (about 75-90ml) of shampoo. Stir the mixture until it forms a thick, glue-like paste.

Wet your hair and apply the mixture. Use a spray bottle with warm water to dampen your hair without soaking it. Apply the mixture evenly from roots to tips, ensuring full coverage.

• For thick or long hair, divide your hair into 4-8 sections to ensure no strands are missed.
• Apply at least one layer of the mixture to cover all parts of your hair.

Wear a shower cap and leave the mixture in your hair for at least 2 hours. This allows the vitamin C enough time to penetrate and work on your hair.

• You can also use a hairdryer to apply heat and reduce the processing time.

Rinse your hair with water for at least 5 minutes. You can lean over a sink or stand under a shower. Make sure all the mixture is thoroughly rinsed out, as this is how the vitamin C removes the color from your hair.

Apply conditioner if your hair feels dry or stiff. If your hair feels dry after rinsing, massage a conditioner into your hair to restore moisture.

• This is also a good precaution if your hair tends to get frizzy when dry, especially for dyed hair.

Dry your hair. If you usually use a hairdryer, continue with this method to assess the effect of the mixture on your hair color. If you prefer air-drying, let your hair dry naturally for a few hours or overnight.

• If using a hairdryer, apply a heat protectant to prevent damage.

Repeat this process if you still desire a lighter hair color. You may apply the vitamin C mixture again for an even brighter shade. Applying the mixture 3-4 times consecutively to lighten your hair is completely safe, though it may dry out your hair and cause dandruff or scalp itchiness. Always follow up with a moisturizing conditioner after multiple uses of the vitamin mixture to protect your hair and scalp.

• You can also try leaving the mixture on your hair for more than 2 hours, but this might irritate sensitive scalps.