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Home / How to Get Rid of Permanent Hair Dye

How to Get Rid of Permanent Hair Dye

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If you've dyed your hair and you're not happy with the color, there's no need to worry! There are steps you can take to lighten or remove the dye. Instead of putting up with hair color you don't like, strip the dye using a color remover. Then you can correct the color or leave your hair lightened. If you'd rather try a gradual, more natural way of removing permanent hair dye, wash your hair using dish soap, vitamin C shampoo, lemon juice, or baking soda. Over time, they'll cause the color to fade.

  1. 1

    Buy a color removing product. Go to a local beauty supply store and purchase a color remover. These work by shrinking the hair color molecules so they're easier to wash out.[1]

    • If you have very long hair, you might need to buy 2 packages.
    • Always read the manufacturer's instructions before beginning to use the color removing product.

  2. 2

    Shake the 2 bottles of the package together for 30 seconds. Open the color remover package and take out the 2 bottles of liquid that are inside. 1 bottle will be a color remover and the other bottle should be an activator. Pour the liquid from the smaller bottle into the larger bottle and seal it. Shake the bottle for 30 seconds so the mixture is combined.[2]

    • Some packages may recommend that you pour both of the bottles into a non-metallic bowl and stir until the liquids are combined.

    Tip: Because you're working with chemicals, it's a good idea to wear vinyl or latex gloves to protect your hands. You should also wear a cape to protect your clothing and your skin.

  3. 3

    Work the liquid through your hair. If you have long hair, divide it into 3 to 5 sections using clips. Pour the thin liquid onto your hair and massage it so the strands in each section are totally saturated. Since the liquid is very thin, you'll have to work quickly so it doesn't run through your fingers.[3]

    • If you have short hair, you can begin applying the liquid directly to your hair.
    • If you'd like more control in applying the liquid, pour it into a bowl and dip a tint brush into it. Brush the liquid onto strands of your hair until it's coated.

  4. 4

    Leave the product in your hair for 20 to 60 minutes. Follow the package's recommended time, which is usually between 20 and 60 minutes. The color stripper will remove the dye from your hair during this time.[4]

    • To prevent the liquid from dripping onto your face, consider putting on a plastic shower cap.

  5. 5

    Wash and rinse your hair for 20 minutes. Rinse your hair with warm water and massage shampoo through it. Rinse out the shampoo and then massage more shampoo back into your hair. Continue to rinse and shampoo for 20 full minutes. You'll probably wash your hair at least 4 times during the 20 minutes.[5]

    • It's important to rinse and shampoo your hair thoroughly because this is what will remove the hair dye.
    • Choose a shampoo designed for your hair type and avoid using color-enhancing or protecting shampoos. For example, if you have dry, brittle hair, pick a moisturizing shampoo.

  6. 6

    Deep condition your hair for 20 minutes to protect your hair. Massage your favorite normal or deep conditioner through your hair for a few minutes. Then put on a shower cap and leave it on your conditioned hair for 20 minutes before rinsing off the conditioner with warm water.[6]

    • Consider sitting under a hooded hair dryer while the conditioner is in your hair. This can increase the conditioner's nourishing ability, and its overall benefit to your hair.
    • If your hair is particularly dry or brittle, allow your hair to air dry instead of blow drying it. Drying your hair with heat can further damage your hair.

  7. 7

    Go to a professional if you want them to adjust your remaining color. While you can attempt to re-color your hair at home, consider going to a salon if you're still unhappy with the color. Ask the professional hair stylist to blend or offset the color until you get the hair color you're looking for.[7]

    • To save a little money, go to a beauty school and ask about their color correcting services.

  1. 1

    Mix powdered vitamin C into shampoo to leach color from your hair. Crush 12 vitamin C pills into a fine powder and stir the powder into as much shampoo as you usually need to cover your hair. Massage the vitamin C shampoo into your hair and leave it in for 30 minutes. Then rinse it out of your hair and apply a conditioner.[8]

    • Vitamin C will make the hair cuticles expand. This makes it easier to wash away the hair dye.
    • For the most effective way to wash color from your hair, use a clarifying shampoo which will help strip your hair.
    • You'll need to shampoo your hair several times using this technique, because the dye will not be removed after only one shampoo.

  2. 2

    Wash your hair with anti-dandruff shampoo for a commercial option. Purchase an anti-dandruff shampoo that lists selenium sulfide as an active ingredient. Get your hair wet and then rub the shampoo through your hair so it's totally covered. Then rinse out the shampoo using hot water.[9]

    • Keep in mind that anti-dandruff shampoos can damage your hair if you don't condition your hair after using them.
    • The selenium sulfide will penetrate your hair for deep cleaning that makes the hair dye gradually fade away.
    • Again, you'll need to repeat this technique several times to remove all of the dye that's in your hair.

  3. 3

    Use dish soap to gradually wash away the hair dye. Choose your favorite dish soap or mild, natural dish soap. Massage the dish soap into your wet hair just as you would normal shampoo. Then rinse it out with hot water.[10]

    • The hot water will help loosen the dye from your hair.
    • You may need to do this several times or throughout the week to completely remove the dye from your hair.

  4. 4

    Apply a baking soda paste to your hair to strip the color from your hair. Since baking soda is a mildly abrasive cleansing agent, it's a good natural choice to strip your hair. Combine equal parts of baking soda and clarifying shampoo in a small bowl. Then massage the paste through your hair, so it's completely coated. Let the paste sit in your hair for 5 to 10 minutes before you rinse it off. Follow up with a conditioner to prevent the baking soda from drying out your hair.[11]

    • Use the hottest water you can handle since this will help the color wash out of your hair.
    • You may need to apply a baking soda paste several times before the color washes out.

  5. 5

    Soak your hair in lemon juice for 1 hour to gradually lighten your hair. Lemon juice is highly acidic and will remove some of the permanent dye from your hair. Squeeze enough lemon juice to completely soak your hair. Then leave it in for 1 hour before you rinse it out with hot water.[12]

    • Keep in mind that you'll probably have to do this several times to notice a major difference in the color of your hair.

    Variation: For a slightly gentler way to strip your hair, use apple cider vinegar instead of lemon juice. This won't alter the pH balance of your hair.

Add New Question

  • Question

    How do I remove dye from the skin?

    Community Answer

    Hair dye should wash off easily with soap and water, so you should be fine after taking a shower and using plenty of soap to scrub. If not, keep washing with soap in the shower for a few days and it'll eventually wash off.

  • Question

    Can I put a lighter dye on my hair straight after using a home remedy to strip the old darker dye?

    GeGeGeLL

    GeGeGeLL

    Community Answer

    Yes, you can do this. If you have dark hair, you may have to apply bleach more than once in order to achieve a light blond colour. However, your hair might suffer some damage from doing this.

  • Question

    I am a natural dirty blonde. I dyed my hair a dark brown, but I'm wanting to go back to my natural color. Are there ways I can do this at home, or do I need to get it professionally done?

    Trash Rat

    Trash Rat

    Community Answer

    It's advised you don't use developer/bleach at home, but there are some products like Pulp Riot's Volume 6 developer and L'Oréal Colorista hair color remover that are a bit gentler on the hair. Just make sure to follow the directions on the packaging and don't leave it in too long.

  • Question

    After using the drugstore color stripper, can I apply brown hair dye after stripping it?

    Trash Rat

    Trash Rat

    Community Answer

    You'll want to make sure your hair is at its healthiest before dyeing again. Try a deep conditioning or keratin treatment, and use a good quality dye to go back to the color you want. Always do a strand test on a small, out-of-the-way section of hair to make sure the dye is compatible with your hair and the chemicals from the color stripper.

  • Question

    Would vitamin C work to remove permanent pink hair dye?

    Trash Rat

    Trash Rat

    Community Answer

    Vitamin C on its own will take quite a while to remove permanent dye, so it's best to use multiple methods and also consider using professional hair color remover.

  • Question

    How do I get rid of red hair dye?

    Community Answer

    Strip the dye using a color remover. If you'd rather try a gradual, more natural way of removing permanent hair dye, wash your hair using dish soap, vitamin C shampoo, lemon juice or baking powder.

  • Question

    How can I fix an uneven hair colour?

    Sportacus from Lazytown

    Sportacus from Lazytown

    Community Answer

    It depends what colour your hair is. If your hair is an uneven blonde, try using bleach, probably something mild such as a 20.vol developer and bleach over darker spots and tone. If dealing with darker hair colours, just apply new hair dye over lighter parts and let sit in for the half recommended time, then apply the rest over all of your hair. Additionally, you could go and see a hair stylist and they should be able to beautifully patch up your hair.

  • Question

    Which method to remove permanent hair dye is best for auburn if the vinegar treatment was warned against?

    Sportacus from Lazytown

    Sportacus from Lazytown

    Community Answer

    You can try professional hair color remover, such as "color oops". Hair color removers as such will dry out your hair quite a bit so I would recommend using conditioning treatments after and avoiding any heat tools. Use a gentle dye to achieve the color you initially wanted.

  • Question

    What can you remove black hair dye with?

    Ariana

    To remove black hair dye, use color remover or bleach. Both work well and should get your natural hair to glow again.

  • Question

    I dyed my afro blonde permanent. I want to remove it.

    Ariana

    Try one of the two following methods: 1. Mix baking soda and shampoo, this works most of the time. Also try using anti dandruff shampoo as it tends to have the best results. 2. Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water and douse your hair in the mixture. This doesn't always work, but it is worth a try.

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  • The longer you've had your hair dyed, the harder it will be to remove the color, so try to remove the color as soon as you decide you want to change it.

  • To prevent your hair from drying out, use lots of conditioner when you try natural home remedies. For example, mix a squirt of conditioner with fresh lemon juice before applying it to your hair.

  • If your hair dye is truly permanent, it may not be possible to remove it, even using these methods.

  • Because you're dealing with chemicals, it's important to work in a well-ventilated room.

Things You'll Need

  • Hairdresser's cape
  • Color remover
  • Shampoo
  • Non-metallic bowl
  • Conditioner
  • Vinyl or latex gloves
  • Shower cap, optional
  • Vitamin C
  • Dish soap
  • Anti-dandruff shampoo
  • Lemon juice
  • Baking soda
  • Vinyl or latex gloves
  • Shower cap or plastic wrap
  • Non-metallic bowl
  • Tint brush
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Hair clips
  • Old shirt
  • Old towels

About This Article

Article SummaryX

To remove a permanent hair dye from your hair, try using a color-removing product, which you can buy from a beauty supply store. Pour the contents of the smaller bottle into the larger one to mix the remover and activator, then seal the larger bottle and shake it for 30 seconds. When you're ready, pour a little bit of the mixture on your hair and massage it in using your fingers. If you have long hair, you may want to separate it into sections, so you're certain that every strand has been saturated. Once you've applied the mixture all over your hair, leave it to sit for the package's recommended time, which will most likely be between 20 and 60 minutes. Finally, wash and rinse your hair for 20 minutes to see the results. For more tips from our Beauty co-author, like how to remove permanent hair dye with a home remedy, keep reading!

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How to Get Rid of Permanent Hair Dye

Source: https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Permanent-Hair-Dye