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How Do U Get Black Hair Dye Off Your Hair

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Black dye is applied to hair for a number of reasons. Unfortunately, the processes by which the dye is removed from hair is much more challenging. The processes for removing black hair dye are very similar to other colors but the timeline could be longer, product more damaging and your natural color will not come back without natural growth. Now that you have unwanted black hair it is time to see how to get to a color that compromises between your natural color and one that looks good on you.

  1. 1

    Purchase a color removing kit. Hair dye removal kits are designed for the removal of any unwanted permanent hair color. There are a variety of these kits on the market, each of which contain different chemicals and instructions. Keep in mind that these kits will not work on semi-permanent box dyes, since these may contain metallic salts and other natural coloring agents that the hair removal kit will not have an effect on.

    • Look for extra strength as black hair dye is the most difficult dye to remove.
    • Consider your length and how heavy the color dye is that you used. Think about getting two boxes in case you need a double treatment. Two boxes can also come in handy if you have long or thick hair.
    • You can find a hair dye removal kit at beauty supply stores and drug stores.
    • If you cannot find a hair dye removal kit, then you could purchase a bleaching kit and bleach your hair instead. Unlike a hair color removal kit that only targets the dye, bleach will remove the dye and your natural hair color's pigment.
  2. 2

    Read the instructions. Be sure to carefully read the manual contained in the kit, and follow all steps as indicated for the best results.

    • Check for any possible side effects like a color change or intense drying that you may need to prepare a conditioner to treat.
    • Throwing another color on top of the black, like brown, won't turn your hair brown because the black has already penetrated into the hair follicles.

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  3. 3

    Prepare before starting to apply. [1] Similar to dyeing your hair you will need to put on specific cloths, use gloves and prepare your hair before you start putting the chemicals on your hair. You may want to add a towel around your shoulders in case the chemical is watery and drips.

    • Put on clothes you are ok with staining, such as an old t-shirt.
    • If you're using a towel around your shoulders, use a dark-colored one.
    • Brush your hair before application. Otherwise, the chemicals could get caught in the tangles of your hair, which could result in an uneven application.
    • Use a balm like vaseline to cover your face and around your hairline to avoid any staining or skin interactions. This will keep the skin from having too much chemicals on it. This is also a great option to remember the next time you dye your hair to keep your skin from changing colors.[2]
    • Put on your gloves and start mixing. Now that you are prepared for working with the chemical read the instructions and mix it before putting it on your head. Some kits will have a very sulfur or rotten egg smell that could be distracting. It may be best to turn on a bathroom fan.
  4. 4

    Do a strand test . It is also a good idea to do a strand test before you apply the product to all of your hair. Choose a strand of hair that will be hidden if you do not like the results and apply the product to that section first. Then, go through the process with the strand to see if it works the way you want it to. If it does, then continue applying the product to all of your hair.

    • Choose a section of hair that is hidden under the rest of your hair, such as in the back of your head.
    • Depending on the hair color you have, the color will be removed but in very specific ways. You won't go from a black to a blonde, but you might go from a black to a chestnut or red brown.
  5. 5

    Apply to your hair. Now that the chemical is ready it is best to apply to your hair evenly. Some of the color-removing kits have a more watery consistency than others.

    • Apply in 1 inch (2.5 cm) sections starting from the bottom half of your hair and moving up to the crown. This will give you consistency throughout the hair. It will allow you to control how much product gets on your hair as well.
    • Cover and wait for the allotted amount of time. If your product works best with heat look at placing a blow dryer on a heat resistant stand pointed down at your head while you sit on the floor.
  6. 6

    Repeat. You may need to apply a color removing kit more than once for your desired results. Especially if you have dyed your hair black many times. If you feel like this might be true it is best to purchase an extra box or keep any remaining chemicals after you are done with the initial application.

  7. 7

    Rinse and shampoo your hair after you have finished removing the dye. Make sure to get all of the dye removal product and dye residue out of your hair by rinsing it thoroughly and then shampooing your hair as you normally would. Follow your dye removal kit's rinsing and shampooing instructions carefully.

    • Some kits come with a special shampoo to use after you finish removing the dye.
    • You may need to rub the shampoo into your hair a certain way to get all of the product and dye residue out. Do not rub the shampoo into your scalp!
    • You may also need to apply a post-shampoo developer to your hair with some kits. Check to see if this is included with your kit, and do not skip it if it is part of the process.
  8. 8

    Do a deep conditioning treatment. This is best to have prepared just in case you need it for brittle or damaged hair.[3] Add a hair mask or consider not doing styles that require excessive heat or blow drying for best results.

  9. 9

    Dye it again. When using an at-home hair color removal kit, be aware that you may have to dye your hair following the removal of the black dye. This is due to the fact that your hair will likely be lighter in color than its natural shade following the removal of the black hair dye. While this may be acceptable for some, you may prefer to add additional color to get a more natural look.

    • You may also want to wait to color your hair again for at least a couple of weeks to give time to rest. However, many kits will say your hair is safe to dye immediately after use. Just make sure to wait at least 24 hours to do so.
    • Spot test the dye on your skin to make sure it doesn't cause any irritation.[4]

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  1. 1

    Try an oil treatment. This is recommended to remove henna, indigo, and other stain dyes, but it will not work for permanent hair colors. It may not remove the color as much as lift any excess faster than washing does.[5]

    • Choose an oil type (olive oil, coconut oil, Argan, etc.) or purchase a hair specific oil. You may be able to make your own mixture or purchase something premixed. You also may want to purchase enough to do the treatment twice.
    • Apply an ample amount to your entire head.
    • Let it sit for as long for a few hours. If you can, cover your hair and keep the oil on overnight, it could give you better results.
    • Remove the oil with shampoo. Remember, oil and water don't mix well so you may need to wash it a few times to get the oil out.
    • This method reduces the chances for damage as the oil should be conditioning your hair while it strips the dye.
  2. 2

    Use a Vitamin C treatment. Much like removing other hair dyes from your hair, a Vitamin C treatment could lighten your black hair a shade or 2. However, this works best with semi-permanent dye as the acid will work more like lemon juice to lighten your hair.[6]

    • Make a paste of Vitamin C tablets and water.
    • Apply the paste to damp hair
    • Let it set for about an hour
    • Wash the paste out of your hair
  3. 3

    Try a raw honey treatment. Raw honey is normally used just to lighten your hair so it may not strip dye as much as turn it a lighter color. The treatment is known to produce peroxide and we know this as a form of bleach. You will need to use raw, unpasteurized honey, which you should be able to get at a farmer's market or direct from a local honey producer.[7]

    • Mix 4 parts raw honey with 1 part water.
    • Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes to an hour.
    • Apply the mixture to damp hair.
    • Cover your hair and let it sit for at least for 2 hours.
    • Rinse and repeat as desired. You can do this a few times every week to gradually lighten your hair color.
  4. 4

    Use dish soap with baking soda. It will be harsher on your hair than shampoo, so you'll need to follow it with a deep conditioner.

    • Mix 5 drops of dish soap with a quarter sized amount of shampoo.
    • Massage the mixture into damp hair.
    • Let it sit for a few minutes.
    • Rinse and repeat as desired.
  5. 5

    Use color-removing shampoos. Using a color-removing shampoo is by far the easiest way to lighten your hair. It will act faster than normal washing.[8]

    • Clarifying shampoos designed to get chlorine out of hair help with removal of black hair dye.
    • Anti-dandruff shampoos have been known to strip some types of hair dye from your hair. This effect can be enhanced in some cases by mixing with equal parts baking soda. Keep it on your hair for a few minutes and then rinse to check the results.
    • This may require multiple washes to get the desired results. Washing your hair multiple times will see more hair color go down the drain each time. However, do not do this more than 3 times in a day.

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  1. 1

    Know the process. It can be a long process to take your color from black to your natural color. Think about what you will be getting into with this process and where you hope to be by the end.

    • Each session may include a stylist bleaching out the color and toning it to an acceptable shade.
    • A professional hair stylist may lighten your hair with bleach-free lighteners and professional strength hair color removers.
    • It could be several sessions but the professionals will know how to reduce damage and the proper products to send you home with to continue the process.
    • There may still be a stage where your hair is orange but in the salon they can fix it with recoloring.
    • Discuss different options with a trusted stylist.
  2. 2

    Get a quote. Removing black hair dye is an expensive process. It is best to shop around at a few different salons to find a group with a good price that you can trust.

    • Finding stylist you trust and feel comfortable having work on your hair is just as important as the price, so it is okay to go to multiple consultations.
    • Realize that you will get what you pay for so going for the cheapest quote could cost you your lovely hair just as much as home remedies could.
  3. 3

    Take time to grow it out. Work with a professional stylist to gradually grow dye your roots to your natural or desired color. It is a slower process but will cause less damage to your hair overall and it doesn't necessarily mean your hair will turn orange.

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Add New Question

  • Question

    Can permanent hair color be removed?

    Laura Martin

    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

    Laura Martin

    Licensed Cosmetologist

    Expert Answer

  • Question

    How do I remove hair dye naturally?

    Laura Martin

    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

    Laura Martin

    Licensed Cosmetologist

    Expert Answer

  • Question

    How can I remove black hair dye from my skin?

    Laura Martin

    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

    Laura Martin

    Licensed Cosmetologist

    Expert Answer

  • Question

    Can you bleach dyed black hair?

    Laura Martin

    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

    Laura Martin

    Licensed Cosmetologist

    Expert Answer

  • Question

    Can you remove permanent black hair dye?

    wikiHow Staff Editor

    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

    wikiHow Staff Editor

    wikiHow Staff Editor

    Staff Answer

    Support wikiHow by unlocking this staff-researched answer.

    Yes, but it may be a complicated process. Removing the color isn't a matter of throwing another color on top of the black. Some people use bleach and shampoo. However, a professional can do it by safely breaking the chemical color bonds in your hair, all without you having to risk your hair falling out. Afterwards, getting your hair to the color you actually want may involve doing some highlights, lowlights, and even a glaze.

  • Question

    Can Head and Shoulders remove black hair dye?

    Community Answer

    Yes. That shampoo contains sulfates, which can help remove the dye.

  • Question

    I've been dyeing my hair black for 15 years. I recently tried to switch to a brown color, but it's still black. What do I do?

    Community Answer

    The color is probably really soaked in there since you have been dyeing it for so long. I recommend getting it stripped at a salon or bleaching it before you apply brown again, but it's best to consult a professional so you don't damage your hair.

  • Question

    When it says to add four parts to one part, how much would that be?

    Community Answer

    It depends on how much you need. But for example, if you used 1/4 cup of one water, you'd need a full cup of honey. Just make sure you use four times the amount of honey to water.

  • Question

    I have been dying my hair black for 10 years. When I stripped it, the roots went white and the rest were orange. What should I do?

    Consulting Criminal

    Consulting Criminal

    Community Answer

    That is the best you are going to get without badly damaging it. Give it a couple of days with heavy conditioning, then if you want, you can bleach it to make it lighter.

  • Question

    I don't want to damage my hair by bleaching it. What is the best way to remove permanent black hair dye from my naturally blonde hair?

    Community Answer

    Without using any bleach, you would have to simply grow it out, as black hair dye is very hard to remove.

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  • If hair had been dyed black over black over black, do the ends, wait for 10 mins and then do the rest, when stripping, black hair dye is harder to get out of the ends.

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  • While bleach removes dye from fabric, you'll want to refrain from using bleach directly on your hair unless you become desperate to remove the black dye. Understand that bleach will change your hair to red or orange, and will cause your hair to be brittle and even fall out. Hair salons use a bleaching agent to strip the hair of color, but their personnel have the knowledge of how to use the professional-grade bleaching agent as well as the proper conditioners to help prevent or lessen damage.

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About This Article

Article SummaryX

To remove black hair dye, coat your hair with an ample amount of olive or coconut oil and let it sit for several hours. Then, shampoo your hair to remove the oil. You may need to repeat this process a few times to remove all of the dye. You can also use a color removing kit, which are sold at drugstores. Look for the extra strength version since black dye is difficult to remove. Apply the product in 1 inch strips starting from the bottom half of your hair and follow the instructions on the box. For more home remedies to remove dye, like using dish soap, read on!

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How Do U Get Black Hair Dye Off Your Hair

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