Are you ready to make a big change with your hair? Stripping color from your hair can be a scary but rewarding process.
Whether you’re preparing to dye your hair a new hue or just want to go back to its natural state, learning how to strip color from hair is essential. Read on to find out how to strip color from hair…
What Is Hair Dye So Difficult To Remove From Your Hair?
When you color your hair, the dye molecules penetrate the hair cuticle and enter the cortex, where they oxidize and create a change in the hair’s natural pigment.
Hair dye is engineered to be long-lasting, so it can be challenging to remove color from your hair, especially when dealing with permanent hair color.
The difficulty of removing hair color depends on the type of dye you have used as well as your hair type. Certain factors make it harder to remove color effectively:
- The hair cuticle – The hair’s outer layer, the cuticle, can become more porous due to regular coloring. This makes it easier for dye molecules to enter but also harder to remove them.
- Your hair type – Coarse and curly hair generally has a more porous cuticle, which can hold dye molecules more tightly, making it harder to remove color from this type of hair.
- Permanent hair color – Permanent hair dyes contain oxidative agents that chemically change the hair’s natural pigments, making the color more resistant to removal than semi-permanent or temporary dyes.
- Previous damage – If you’ve already bleached or processed your hair, it may be more susceptible to damage when trying to remove unwanted hair color. In such cases, it is essential to proceed with caution.
To minimize damage and effectively remove color from your hair, it’s essential to tailor the approach to your specific hair type and the type of dye used.
You may need to use clarifying shampoos, dandruff shampoos, or natural methods like vitamin C or baking soda to help strip the unwanted hair color.
But for more persistent color, professional color removers or lighteners may be necessary.
What Are The Best Tips For Stripping Hair Color At Home?
If you need to strip color from your hair at home, here are some confident and knowledgeable tips to guide you through the process, while keeping your hair care in mind.
Always know your hair type and condition before you begin.
1. Bleach and color remover: Using a bleach or a hair color remover is an effective way to lighten your hair. However, make sure you follow the instructions carefully and consult with a hair stylist if you’re not confident in the process. Color removers designed for semi-permanent and permanent hair dye can typically give better results than bleach for those hair types.
2. Clarifying shampoo: Washing your hair with a clarifying shampoo can help remove unwanted hair dye, particularly if it’s a semi-permanent color. Shampoos designed to remove hair color should be used every time you wash your hair. Make sure to shampoo and rinse your hair with warm water, massaging it into the hair for a few minutes to help break down the dye.
3. Hydrogen peroxide: Hydrogen peroxide can be used to remove hair color and lighten your natural hair. However, be cautious, as excessive use can bleach your natural hair color. This method works well if you want to achieve a dirty blonde look. If you have dark hair, it’s best to consult with a hair stylist before attempting this method at home.
4. Patience and repetition: Removing hair color, especially for dark or stubborn colors, might require multiple attempts and patience. Using gentler methods, like clarifying shampoo or color-removing shampoos, requires more time, and you may need to repeat the process every time you wash your hair for a few weeks.
5. Deep conditioning: Stripping hair color, whether by bleach or color remover, can cause damage to your hair. After the process, provide your hair with proper care. Deep conditioning treatments will help restore your hair’s moisture and improve its overall health.
How To Strip Color From Hair
If you’ve decided to change your hair color or simply want to remove the current dye, there are several methods you can use to strip color from your hair.
Below, you’ll find a few proven techniques to achieve the desired result.
Using a Bleach or a Bleaching Color Remover: According to stylists, using a bleach or a bleaching color remover is an ideal method for removing color up to nine shades lighter. This process should be done under careful supervision and preferably by a professional, as it may be damaging to your hair if not done correctly.
Clarifying Shampoo: You can also use a clarifying shampoo to gradually strip the hair color. Although it offers minimal lightening, this method is less damaging to your hair. However, it requires several sessions over a few weeks to see significant results.
Hydrogen Peroxide: This household item can be an effective method for stripping hair color at home. You must monitor your hair closely during this process to avoid bleaching your natural color. Hydrogen peroxide works well if you’re aiming for a dirty blonde shade.
Using Household Products: There are various household products you can use to strip color from your hair in a more natural way. For example, using a mixture of baking soda and shampoo or a combination of lemon juice and shampoo can help to gradually remove hair dye. Always do a patch test before applying any mixture to your entire head.
Do Vitamin C Tablets Remove Hair Dye?
Yes, vitamin C tablets can be used to remove hair dye from your hair. This method is particularly effective on semi-permanent and demi-permanent hair color, and some people have even reported success with permanent black hair color and henna dyes.
To use vitamin C for color removal, you will need to crush the tablets into a fine powder and mix it with a clarifying shampoo.
Clarifying shampoos are designed to remove buildup and excess oil from your hair, making them a suitable base for the vitamin C mixture.
The acidity of the vitamin C helps to break down the hair dye molecules, allowing them to be washed out of your hair more easily.
When you apply the mixture to your hair, ensure that it is fully saturated with the solution and cover it with a shower cap.
Allow the mixture to sit on your hair for at least 20 to 45 minutes before rinsing it out with warm water.
Once the time is up, wash your hair thoroughly to ensure all of the vitamin C and dye residue are removed.
The effectiveness of this method can vary depending on the specific hair dye used and the duration it has been in your hair.
You might need to try this process multiple times to achieve the desired level of color removal.
The vitamin C treatment might cause mild dryness in your hair, so using a deep conditioner afterward is recommended.
How To Nourish Your Hair After Hair Color Stripping
After successfully stripping color from your hair, it’s essential to nourish and care for your hair to prevent damage.
There’s no need to worry as you can achieve this using a simple but effective hair care routine. Here’s how:
First and foremost, invest in a good-quality hair treatment. Look for a deep conditioning treatment with natural ingredients that can nourish your hair without causing more damage.
Apply the treatment to your hair, focusing on the ends and other damaged areas. To achieve the best results, cover your hair with a shower cap and let it sit for about 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing.
Next, pay attention to your scalp. A healthy scalp promotes healthy hair growth. Gently massage your scalp with a nourishing oil like coconut or jojoba oil to stimulate blood circulation and provide essential nutrients.
Massage the oil into your hair and scalp and leave it in for around 20 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
After shampooing your hair, apply a generous amount of conditioner, focusing on the mid-lengths to ends.
Let the conditioner sit for a few minutes before rinsing to ensure it thoroughly penetrates the hair shaft.
Using a leave-in conditioner on damp hair can also help keep your hair moisturized and manageable throughout the day.
Be gentle with your hair following the color-stripping process. Avoid using heat styling tools and opt for air-drying whenever possible. If you must use heat, apply a heat protectant to minimize damage.
How To Use Baking Soda As A Way To Strip Your Hair Color
Baking soda is an effective and affordable option to help you remove unwanted hair color without causing excessive damage.
It is particularly useful for fading semi-permanent hair dye and returning your locks to their natural hue. Here’s how to use baking soda to strip the color from your hair confidently and knowledgeably.
First, prepare your baking soda mixture. Combine equal parts baking soda and shampoo.
It’s generally recommended to use an anti-dandruff shampoo or a clarifying shampoo, as these are better at removing build-up and pigments from your hair.
For example, mix two tablespoons of baking soda with two tablespoons of your chosen shampoo.
Next, you’ll want to wash your hair with the baking soda mixture. Wet your hair thoroughly and then apply the mixture onto your hair.
Gently massage it into your hair, ensuring even distribution and full coverage of every strand. This will help to break down the hair dye and make it easier to remove.
Once you’ve lathered the mixture into your hair, let it sit for a few minutes. This allows the baking soda to work on breaking down the hair dye, which will enable it to fade more quickly.
However, be cautious not to leave it in for too long, as this may cause your hair to become dry and brittle.
After the mixture has sat in your hair for the desired amount of time, rinse it out using warm water. Be sure to rinse thoroughly to remove all traces of the baking soda and shampoo.
You might need to repeat the process a few times if the color persists, but gradually, your natural hair color should begin to re-emerge.
What Can I Use To Fade Permanent Hair Dye?
When it comes to fading permanent hair dye, you have several options at your disposal. While the effectiveness may vary depending on your hair type and the dye used, these methods can help remove unwanted color and give your hair a fresh start.
One option is to use a color stripper. These products are specifically designed to remove permanent hair dye without the harsh consequences of bleach.
Color strippers can be found at your local beauty store, and they work by breaking down the color molecules, allowing the dye to be washed out.
Another option for removing semi-permanent hair dye from your tresses is a clarifying shampoo. These shampoos are designed to remove build-up from your hair, including dye particles.
They can be particularly effective when mixed with baking soda, creating a paste that can fade your natural hair color without causing extensive damage.
This method will likely require several sessions over a few weeks to see significant results.
If you have black hair dye or a very dark shade, a bleaching color remover may be more suitable for your needs.
These products work similarly to color strippers but are stronger and can remove color up to nine shades lighter.
Bleaching color removers can be harsh on your hair, so it’s essential to be cautious and follow the instructions carefully.
As well as these options, you can also consider some more natural remedies to fade hair color without as much damage.
For example, lemon juice can be used as a mild lightening agent, while dish soap can help wash out semi-permanent color.
Summary
Stripping color from your hair can be a scary but rewarding process.
There are various methods you can use depending on your needs, such as bleach or color removers for permanent dye and clarifying shampoos, vitamin C tablets, baking soda, lemon juice, and dish soap for semi-permanent dyes.
However, it is important to understand the chemistry behind these products before using them and take precautions to minimize potential damage.
After stripping the color from your hair, nourish your locks with deep conditioning treatments and follow a gentle hair care routine to keep them healthy.
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