3 Ways to Fade Hair Dye

This article was co-authored by Steven Waldman. Steven Waldman is a Professional Hair Stylist and the Director of Technical Training at Hair Cuttery. Steven uses his creative insight and extensive experience to drive educational programming and motivates facilitators and learners to communicate effectively, create and execute strategies to maximize potential, and achieve success. He uses unexpected sources such as art genres, architecture, and cooking to inspire shape, color, and cuts.

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Hair dye didn’t turn out the way you hoped? Don’t panic. You can definitely fade the dye so it’s not as vibrant and intense. This article will walk you through your best options, including clarifying shampoo, salt water, and commercial color removers. Say goodbye to unwanted color and hello to hair your love.

Steps

Shampooing

1. 1Wash your hair as soon as possible after dyeing it. If you want to preserve intense hair color, you’re supposed to wait a few days to wash it. To fade your hair, you’ll want to wash it right away after dyeing it. Hopping in the shower as soon as possible after deciding you want to fade your hair is the easiest way to get the process started.[1] X Research source
2. 2Use a clarifying shampoo. You’ll need to use a strong shampoo that will strip the dye from your hair. You can find a variety of clarifying shampoos on Amazon here. Look for a clear shampoo, rather than an opaque one. Massage the shampoo into your hair thoroughly, making sure to work it in from the roots to the tips.[2] X Research source
   • Prell has been said to help fade hair dye faster.
   • You could also try a dandruff shampoo that contains tar such as True Real or Medicasp.
   • Your results may vary depending on your hair type, the vividness of your hair color, and what type of dye you used (e.g., permanent versus semi-permanent or temporary).

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3. 3Rinse your hair with hot water. The heat helps to remove dye from your hair. Washing and rinsing your hair with hot water will strip away the color and should leave your hair significantly lighter.[3] X Research source
4. 4Wash your hair again. Repeat washing with a clarifying shampoo a few times before drying your hair. Examine the results to determine whether your hair has faded to a color you like better. Continue washing your hair more often than usual. Over the period of a couple of weeks, your hair should definitely fade a few shades. If not, move on to another fading method.
5. 5Be sure to condition your hair well. All that extra washing with a strong clarifying shampoo is going to dry out your hair. Be sure to use plenty of conditioner so you don’t cause too much damage.
   • Do a coconut oil mask once a week to keep your hair from splitting and getting brittle.[4] X Research source
   • When you’re happy with your hair color again, do a deep conditioning treatment and then give it a rest for a few days, before shampooing.

Exposing Your Hair to the Elements

1. 1Go out in the sun. The sun is a natural hair lightener and color fader. Exposing your hair to sunlight will help it turn a few shades lighter over time.[5] X Research source
2. 2Swim in salt water. The salt helps to loosen the dye from your hair. If you swim in the ocean a few days a week, you’ll notice your hair color fading in time.
3. 3Swim in a pool. The chlorine acts as a color remover, fading your hair after prolonged exposure. This isn’t great for your hair, though, so don’t rely on this method if you have others at your disposal. Chlorine makes hair straw-like and brittle in addition to fading color.[6] X Research source
   • After swimming, use a clarifying shampoo to remove the chlorine from your hair.

Using a Color Remover

1. 1Use a chemical dye remover such as Color Oops. This should be a last resort, since the chemicals are tough on hair and could cause brittleness and split ends to occur. If you dyed your hair a dark color, chemical dye remover can lighten it up. Follow the instructions on the package to treat your hair with dye remover, then rinse it out and examine the results. Repeat if necessary.[7] X Research source
   • Test the dye remover on a discreet lock of hair before using it on your whole head.
   • Chemical dye remover doesn’t work on hair that has been dyed lighter; it only works to remove darker colors.
   • Do a deep conditioning treatment on your hair to restore it to health after using a dye remover.
   • Chemical dye removers may not be effective for everyone. Do some research on different brands to find the dye remover that will work best with your hair type and the type of hair dye you used.
2. 2Try baking soda. This is a natural way to remove dark color from your hair. Make a paste with 1/2 cup (120 ml) of baking soda and 1/2 cup (120 ml) water. Massage it into your hair and let it sit for 15 minutes, then rinse with hot water. Repeat as many times as you’d like until you’ve achieved the color you want.[8] X Research source
   • Condition your hair well after using baking soda, since it strips your hair of its natural oils.
3. 3Make a homemade bleach bath. This must be used within 30 minutes of the color application.[9] X Research source
   • Mix together 1 tablespoon (15 ml) bleach powder, 25 milliliters (0.85 fl oz) 40 vol/6% peroxide, and a bit of shampoo.
   • Apply the color stripper to wet hair. Use as you’d use normal shampoo.
   • Emulsify and rub the hair for approximately 3 to 5 minutes. Take great care not to get it in your eyes!
   • Use a mirror and check to see the color lifting.
   • Rinse well. Towel dry. Apply conditioner or treatment.

Expert Q&A

• QuestionI dyed my hair today to darkest brown and it has gone black. What can I do to turn it brown?Ashley AdamsAshley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.
  Professional Hair StylistProfessional Hair StylistExpert AnswerYou can follow the steps that are outlined above in the article to fade your black hair to brown. #3 under “Using a Color Remover,” should definitely work for you in achieving dark brown hair.
• QuestionHow can I make hair return to brown from red?Ashley AdamsAshley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.
  Professional Hair StylistProfessional Hair StylistExpert AnswerIs your natural color brown? If so, you can attempt to return to brown hair by making a homemade color stripper. If that doesn’t work, try to use clarifying shampoo or purchase a dye remover.
• QuestionWhat is the best way to fade dyed hair extensions from neon green to a more pastel green without damaging them too much?Community AnswerIf you hang out in the sun, use a little bit of shampoo and lots of conditioner, that could work, but you have to repeat these steps multiple times. You could also swim in chlorinated water.

Tips

• Begin the process of fading hair color as soon as possible for best results. If you wait longer than 72 hours, your hair color likely will have set and you will not have much success in getting it to fade.⧼thumbs_response⧽
• See a professional stylist if hair color is still undesirable after making attempts to fade it. You can try calling cosmetology schools to see if you can serve as a model for teaching color correction techniques. Getting a hair treatment at a cosmetology school is usually less expensive than going to a salon.⧼thumbs_response⧽

References

1. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/hair/tips/a25379/ruining-dyed-hair/
2. ↑ https://www.instyle.com/hair/two-ingredient-diy-semi-permanent-hair-dye-remover
3. ↑ https://www.webmd.com/beauty/features/colored-hair-protection
4. ↑ https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/coconut-oil-and-hair
5. ↑ https://www.hairfinder.com/hair2/fading.htm
6. ↑ https://oureverydaylife.com/how-to-keep-burgundy-hair-vibrant-12608653.html
7. ↑ https://softerhair.com/hair-color-removers-benefits-and-limitations/
8. ↑ https://www.livestrong.com/article/227004-home-remedies-to-remove-black-hair-dye/
9. ↑ https://bellatory.com/hair/How-to-do-a-bleach-wash

About This Article

Even if it’s been awhile since you colored your hair, you can fade your hair dye if you think it’s too dark or too bright. To start, wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo designed to strip product buildup from your hair. Then, rinse your hair with hot water, and shampoo again if the dye is still too dark. Finally, condition your hair afterward to help heal some of the damage caused by dyeing and harsh shampoos. Keep reading for tips from our beauty remover on fading your hair using a chemical color remover!

Reader Success Stories

• “I am nearly 70, so I have a lot of gray hair. This seems to make hair color go dark. Thank you for your help. I also heard vitamin c tablets help if you crush them and add them to dandruff shampoo with a good conditioner after. “…” more