Buzz
If you're dissatisfied with your newly dyed hair color, don't worry! There are several steps you can take to lighten or remove the dye. Instead of enduring a color you dislike, you can eliminate the dye using a color-removing product. Afterward, you can either dye your hair a different color or leave it lighter. If you prefer natural methods to fade the dye, you can wash your hair with dish soap, vitamin C shampoo, lemon juice, or baking soda to gradually fade the color.
Steps
Use a hair color remover product
Purchase a hair color remover product. Visit a beauty supply store to buy a hair color remover. These products work by shrinking the dye molecules in your hair, making them easier to wash out.
- If you have very long hair, you may need to buy two kits.
- Always read the manufacturer's instructions before using the product.
Mix the two bottles in the kit and shake for 30 seconds. Open the hair color remover kit and take out the two liquid bottles. One bottle contains the color remover, and the other is the activator. Pour the liquid from the smaller bottle into the larger one and tighten the cap. Shake the bottle for 30 seconds to ensure the mixture is well combined.
- Some kits may instruct you to pour both liquids into a non-metallic bowl and stir them until evenly mixed.
Tip: Since you're working with chemicals, wear vinyl or latex gloves to protect your hands. Always use a protective cape to shield your clothes and skin.
Apply the mixture to your hair. If you have long hair, use duckbill clips to divide it into 2-3 sections. Pour the liquid onto your hair and massage it in, ensuring every strand is saturated. Since the mixture is thin, work quickly to prevent it from dripping through your fingers.
- For short hair, you can pour the liquid directly onto your hair.
- For better control, pour the mixture into a bowl and use a dye brush to apply it evenly across your hair.
Leave the product on your hair for 20-60 minutes. Follow the instructions on the packaging for the recommended processing time, typically between 20-60 minutes. The product will work to remove the dye during this period.
- You can wear a shower cap to prevent the solution from dripping onto your face.
Rinse and wash your hair for 20 minutes. Rinse your hair with warm water and apply shampoo thoroughly. Rinse out the shampoo, then apply it again. Continue this process for a full 20 minutes. You may need to shampoo at least 4 times during this period.
- Thorough rinsing and washing are crucial, as this is when the dye is being removed.
- Choose a shampoo formula suited to your hair type, avoiding color-preserving or color-depositing shampoos. For example, opt for a moisturizing shampoo if you have dry, brittle hair.
Apply a deep conditioner for 20 minutes to protect your hair. Massage your favorite regular conditioner or a deep conditioning treatment throughout your hair for a few minutes, then cover with a shower cap and leave it on for 20 minutes before rinsing with warm water.
- Consider sitting under a hooded dryer while the conditioner sets. This can enhance the conditioning effect.
- If your hair is particularly dry and brittle, let it air dry instead of using a blow dryer, as heat can cause further damage.
Visit a salon if you want to adjust your current hair color. While you can attempt to remove hair dye at home, if you're still unsatisfied, consider going to a salon. Ask a stylist to adjust your hair color until you achieve the desired shade.
- To save money, you can visit a cosmetology school and request their services for color correction.
Try at-home remedies
Mix crushed vitamin C with shampoo to remove hair color. Crush 12 vitamin C tablets into a fine powder and mix it with your regular shampoo amount. Apply the vitamin C-infused shampoo to your hair and leave it on for 30 minutes, then rinse thoroughly and apply a conditioner.
- Vitamin C helps open the hair cuticles, making it easier to wash out the dye.
- Using a clarifying shampoo is the most effective way to remove hair color.
- You may need to repeat this process multiple times, as the dye won't be completely removed in one wash.
Wash your hair with anti-dandruff shampoo. Purchase an anti-dandruff shampoo that lists selenium sulfide as an active ingredient. Wet your hair and apply the shampoo evenly, then rinse it out with hot water.
- Note that anti-dandruff shampoo can damage your hair if you don't use a conditioner afterward.
- Selenium sulfide penetrates the hair to cleanse and gradually fade the dye.
- As with other methods, you may need to repeat this process several times to fully remove the hair color.
Use dish soap to gradually wash out hair dye. Choose your preferred dish soap or a gentle, natural option. Apply the dish soap to wet hair as you would shampoo, then rinse thoroughly with hot water.
- Hot water helps strip the dye from your hair.
- You may need to repeat this method multiple times or over several weeks to completely remove the dye.
Apply a baking soda mixture to remove hair color. Baking soda is a mild abrasive cleaner, making it a natural choice for fading hair dye. Mix equal parts baking soda and clarifying shampoo in a small bowl. Massage the mixture into your hair, ensuring full coverage. Leave it on for 5-10 minutes before rinsing, then use conditioner to prevent dryness.
- Use the hottest water you can tolerate, as it helps strip the dye.
- You may need to apply the baking soda mixture several times to fully fade the color.
Soak your hair in lemon juice for an hour to gradually lighten the color. Lemon juice is highly acidic and will help fade permanent hair dye. Squeeze lemon juice onto your hair until it's fully saturated. Leave it on for an hour before rinsing with hot water.
- Keep in mind that you may need to repeat this process multiple times to see noticeable changes.
Alternative: For a gentler approach, use apple cider vinegar instead of lemon juice. Apple cider vinegar won't disrupt your hair's pH balance.
Tips
- To prevent dryness, use plenty of conditioner when trying natural at-home remedies. For example, mix a small amount of conditioner with fresh lemon juice before applying it to your hair.
- The longer the dye has been in your hair, the harder it is to remove, so aim to start the removal process as soon as you decide to change your hair color.
Warnings
- If the dye you used is truly permanent, it may not be removable, even with these methods.
- When working with chemicals, ensure you are in a well-ventilated area.
Things You'll Need
Using a hair color remover product
- Haircutting cape
- Hair color remover product
- Shampoo
- Non-metallic bowl
- Conditioner
- Vinyl or latex gloves
- Shower cap (optional)
Try at-home remedies
- Vitamin C
- Dish soap
- Anti-dandruff shampoo
- Lemon juice
- Baking soda
- Vinyl or latex gloves
- Shower cap or plastic wrap
- Non-metallic bowl
- Dye brush
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Duckbill clips
- Old shirt
- Old towel
