If you dyed your hair and it didn't turn out the way you wanted, you can speed up the fading process by using several methods. Hair that has been dyed a dark, intense color will lighten several degrees if you wash it straight away with a strong shampoo. To find out more about how to lighten color-treated hair, keep reading this article.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Washing with Shampoo
Step 1. Wash your hair as soon as possible after coloring your hair
If you want to maintain an intense hair color, it's best to wait a few days to wash it off. To fade hair color, you need to wash your hair immediately after coloring it. Head to the bathroom as soon as you decide that fading your hair color is the easiest thing to do.
Step 2. Use a clarifying shampoo (a type of shampoo that cleans more thoroughly than regular shampoo)
You should use a strong shampoo that will remove the dye from your hair. Look for a clear shampoo instead of an opaque colored shampoo. Massage the shampoo into your hair thoroughly, making sure you allow it to penetrate from the roots to the tips.
- Prell shampoo is known to help fade dyed hair faster.
- You can also try using an anti-dandruff shampoo that contains tar.
Step 3. Rinse your hair with hot water
The heat helps remove the dye from your hair. Washing and rinsing your hair with hot water will remove the dye and the hair color will be significantly lighter.
Step 4. Wash your hair again
Repeat with a clarifying shampoo several times before blow drying your hair. Check the results to determine if your hair color has faded to a color you prefer. Wash your hair more often than usual. After a few weeks, your hair color will definitely fade a few notches lighter. If not, try another hair color fading method.
Step 5. Make sure you condition your hair well
Any attempt to wash your hair more often with a strong clarifying shampoo will dry out your hair. Make sure you use a generous amount of conditioner so you don't damage your hair too much.
- Use a coconut oil mask once a week to prevent your hair from becoming brittle and splitting.
- When you're happy with your hair color, do a deep conditioning treatment and then let your hair rest for a few days, before shampooing.
Method 2 of 3: Exposing Hair to the Elements
Step 1. Bask in the sun
The sun is a natural lightener and fader of hair color. Exposing your hair to sunlight will help it change its color to a few shades lighter over time.
Step 2. Swim in salt water
The salt helps to remove the dye from your hair. If you swim in the ocean a few days a week, you will see your hair color fade over time.
Step 3. Swim in the pool
Chlorine acts as a color remover, which will fade the color of your hair after prolonged exposure. However, this method is not good for your hair, so don't rely on this method if you have other methods that can be used. Chlorine makes your hair look like straw and brittle in addition to fading the color.
Method 3 of 3: Using Color Removing Products
Step 1. Use a chemical dye remover product
This method should be a last resort, as chemicals are harsh on hair and can cause hair to become brittle and split ends. If you dye your hair a dark color, chemical dye-removal products can fade the color. Follow the directions on the package to apply the decolorizing product to your hair, then rinse thoroughly and check the results. Repeat if necessary.
- Test the decolorizing product on hidden strands before using it all over your hair.
- Chemical dye-removal products do not work on hair that is dyed a lighter color; this product only works to remove darker colors.
- Do a deep conditioning treatment on your hair to restore its health after using a color remover.
Step 2. Try using baking soda
This is a natural way to remove dark colored hair dye from your hair. Make a paste dough using 1/2 cup baking soda and 1/2 cup water. Massage the paste into your hair and let it sit for 15 minutes, then rinse with hot water. Repeat as many times as you want until your hair reaches the color you want.
Use conditioner on your hair after using baking soda, as baking soda strips your hair of its natural oils
Step 3. Make your own color bleach
This bleach should be used within 30 minutes of coloring your hair.
- Mix 1 tbsp bleach powder, 25 ml 40 vol/6% peroxide, and a little shampoo.
- Dab the bleach on wet hair. Use it like you would regular shampoo.
- Rub on hair until foamy for about 3 to 5 minutes. Be careful not to get in your eyes!
- Use a mirror and examine the results of your hair color fading.
- Rinse until clean. Dry with a towel. Apply conditioner or hair treatment.
Tips
- Start the fading process as soon as possible for best results. If you wait more than 72 hours, your hair color may have settled and the fading process won't be as successful.
- See a professional stylist if your hair is still not showing the color you want after trying to fade it. You can try contacting a cosmetology school to ask if you can model for color correction techniques.
