Maybe you accidentally dyed your hair too dark or maybe your natural hair color is just a shade or darker than you would like it to be. Either way, there are natural and chemical tricks you can try to lighten dark hair.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Go to the Salon
Step 1. Talk about potential hair damage
Many people with dark hair bleach or dye their hair in salons. Before making the decision to dye your hair, talk to your stylist about the potential damage.
- If you do platinum bleaching (whitening your hair at least twice) there will still be damage to your hair. Hair stylists may even refuse platinum bleaching if the hair has been previously colored because the damage can be more severe.
- Talk to your stylist how you want to lighten your hair. He can check the current condition of the hair and decide which dye will do the least amount of damage.
Step 2. Leave the hair roots
The damage caused by bleaching and painting gets worse when it closes the scalp and follicles. Consider letting the roots grow a little before dyeing your hair again. This can help minimize damage.
Step 3. Take extra care of your hair after dyeing it
If you choose to dye your hair at a salon, it will require extra care afterward. Talk to your stylist about how to give your hair extra care with natural products after dyeing it.
- Ask your stylist for recommendations on hair conditioners and other at-home treatment options. Hair coloring can cause hair to be drier than usual.
- Consider using a pre-wash primer (a product to protect your hair color from water in the shower) before washing your hair. This can help block water, making the dye last longer.
- Consider coconut oil or a protein-based conditioner. These ingredients can help repair damage to your hair caused by dyeing and bleaching.
Method 2 of 3: Using Home Treatments
Step 1. Use vinegar and water
Rinsing your hair with vinegar and water helps to lighten the hair. Try mixing one part vinegar with six parts water. Then, rinse your hair for 15 minutes. Apple cider vinegar works better and smells great.
Step 2. Add salt to the hair
Simple table salt has an effect on hair color. Many people find that their hair becomes lighter from swimming in salt water. Try adding one part salt to five parts water. Rinse it on your hair and let it sit for 15 minutes. Then rinse and wash your hair as usual.
Step 3. Crush the vitamin C tablet and add it to the shampoo
Vitamin C can lighten hair and improve overall health. Take 8-9 vitamin C tablets, which can be purchased at drug stores and crush them. You can do this by putting vitamin C in a plastic bag, then rolling it out with a dough roller. Mix with shampoo. Use the shampoo as usual for the next few weeks and see if you see an effect.
Step 4. Add sliced rhubarb and water to the hair
Rhubarb is a plant that has properties that can lighten dark hair naturally. Try adding 100 grams of rhubarb to 500 ml of water. Bring the rhubarb and water to a boil and then allow to cool. Strain the rhubarb and use the water to rinse your hair. Leave it for 10 minutes. Then, rinse your hair with clean water.
Step 5. Try honey
If the hair is not colored or treated with chemicals, many people believe honey is a natural ingredient to lighten hair naturally. Honey moisturizes hair but contains a small amount of hydrogen peroxide which can help lighten dark hair.
- Mix a little honey with water or vinegar before applying it to your hair. Honey is sticky and difficult to rinse off, so you need to dissolve it before applying it to your hair.
- Brush your hair with a mixture of honey and water or vinegar. Put on a shower cap and leave the mixture on overnight. Wash your hair the next morning and see if you see results.
Step 6. Use lemon or lime juice
The juice of citrus fruits, such as lemon or lime, can lighten dark hair. Try using orange juice if you want to lighten your hair.
- You can add 62 ml of warm water to 250 ml of lemon juice. Put this mixture in a spray bottle and gently spray it through your hair. Spray it back every half hour and see if you see a difference after a few days. Be sure to moisturize your hair regularly with this treatment, as lemon juice can dry out your hair.
- You can squeeze a lime in warm water, then put this mixture in a spray bottle. Spray your hair and cover it with a shower cap. Leave it for 30 minutes. Then, rinse and see if you see a difference.
Step 7. Treat your hair with chamomile tea
Chamomile tea can also lighten hair. Cool the brewed chamomile tea, then wet your hair with the tea, leaving your hair as wet as possible. Wear a fitted shower cap on your head for 30 minutes, then rinse.
Step 8. Get a lighter hair color with cinnamon
Cinnamon is excellent as a natural lightener. Wet and dampen hair. Then, make a paste consisting of cinnamon and water. Apply on the hair, each strand of hair must be covered with the paste. Put on a shower cap and leave it overnight.
Step 9. Use hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful chemical that can lighten hair. Use with care. Put hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle and spray it evenly on your hair. If necessary, use bobby pins to secure hair to hard-to-reach areas. Let stand for 30 minutes and rinse with cold water.
Method 3 of 3: Lightening Dyed Hair
Step 1. Use a clarifying shampoo (a shampoo that thoroughly cleanses hair)
If you don't like the result of the dye, scrub your hair with a clarifying shampoo immediately. Clarifying shampoos contain surfactants that can remove oil, chemicals, and hair dye.
- You can find clarifying shampoos at supermarkets or drug stores. Follow the directions on the bottle when using a clarifying shampoo for hair.
- Clarifying shampoo can dry out hair. Be sure to moisturize your hair afterward to prevent dryness and breakage.
Step 2. Remove semi-permanent hair dye with vitamin C powder and shampoo
If a clarifying shampoo doesn't work, you can remove the semi-permanent dye by adding vitamin C powder to the shampoo. This can help lighten the dyed hair by lifting the color that is in the hair.
- You can buy vitamin C powder from the internet or the nearest supermarket. Mix one part vitamin C with two parts shampoo. Wet your hair and rub the shampoo into a lather. Then, put on a shower cap. Wrap your neck with a towel to prevent dripping and let the mixture sit on your hair for an hour.
- When an hour has passed, rinse your hair and let it dry. If this method works, about 85 percent of the color will be lost. You will need to moisturize your hair afterwards to prevent it from drying out.
Step 3. Call the hotline number on the hair dye package if you dye your hair at home
If you dye your hair at home, call the hotline on the hair dye package. The people on duty at the reception can help you. They can provide helpful advice on how to remove dye from hair.
Step 4. Use baking soda
Baking soda can help remove chemicals from your hair. Adding baking soda to your shampoo or conditioner can help remove the chemicals in your hair dye. This method takes longer than the other methods. Using baking soda once a week can lighten dyed hair.
