Dyeing our hair different colors is a fun way to experiment with our look. But sometimes, we may not fall in love with the color we wanted or it doesn’t turn out quite like what we hoped for! Before you label your new hair color a disaster, there are a few different ways you can remove hair dye at home. Sure, you can always go buy a “hair dye removal” kit, but those are full of chemicals and can lead to really bad damage to your precious locks. “Shopping” your kitchen to remove the hair dye is a safer and more gentle alternative.
Bonus…these options are inexpensive and safe for the environment!
1. Baking Soda
This is a gradual process and may not give instant results, but you can safely repeat it until you reached your desire goal and not have to worry about damage.
Directions
- Mix the baking soda with your favorite shampoo (If you use a clarifying shampoo, that would be especially good. My favorite is the Ouidad Clarifying Shampoo“>
- Use approximately 1 tablespoon of baking soda mixed with 1 tablespoon of your shampoo (depending on the thickness of your hair”>.
- Lather the mix into your hair and scalp; let it sit for a couple minutes then rinse.
The baking soda will help lighten your hair and won’t remove the dye completely after the first try. Wait a few days and repeat the process as needed.
2. Vitamin C
This is probably the safest and most non-abrasive option for people who have dyed their hair a particularly dark color and would like to remove it quickly.
This method for removing hair dye works best if the Vitamin C paste is applied only after a few days from the time you originally dyed your hair. Though, it will show decent results later on as well – just don’t expect magic.
Directions
- Crush a handful of Vitamin C tablets in a bowl.
- Add some hot water till it creates a a thick paste.
- Apply it to your wet hair and leave it on for about an hour before rinsing out.
Optional
- Add some shampoo into the mix if you want some extra lather.
- Place a plastic bag or shower cap around your hair to help the mixture penetrate your hair strands more effectively.
3. White Vinegar
You should use plain white vinegar for this method. The acidity of the vinegar will help remove the dye from your hair without damaging your scalp like some expensive hair products can do. It is also a safer and more natural way to go about removing hair dye, just like Vitamin C and Baking Soda!
Directions
- Saturate your hair with a mixture of half warm water and half vinegar
- Cover your hair with a shower cap (or plastic bag”> for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Wash your hair and rinse clean.
You should notice a difference in the shade of your hair afterward when you remove hair dye with vinegar.
Not only does removing hair dye at home save your hair from excess damage, it will also save you some money as opposed to buying an expensive kit or going back to the salon! After removing dye with any of the above methods, I suggest using a good deep treatment to help add moisture and strength back into your hair as well.
