How to Return to Your Natural Hair Color

Hide roots with a combination of highlights and lowlights.

You never realized how much you liked your natural hair color until you spent countless paychecks on highlights, lowlights and all-over color. Returning to your natural color seems intimidating -- especially when those unsightly roots begin sprouting all over your scalp. Don't reach for that bottle of dye again just yet: The American Cancer Society reports that hair dye causes cancer in laboratory animals and may increase the risk of cancer in humans. Embrace your natural side -- and prevent potential health risks -- by growing out your colored locks.

Things You'll Need

• Deep-cleansing shampoo
• Hair color or bleach
• Hair glaze or rinse

Instructions

1. Cut or trim your hair. Chop off as much as you want because a haircut eases the transition between colored hair and natural locks. A haircut also eliminates dead or split ends, helping your natural hair grow back in a healthy way.

2. Wash your hair with a deep-cleansing shampoo, such as Herbal Essences Degunkify or Rusk Purify. This fades dyed hair, making the color less noticeable. Use the shampoo for the next few months. Finish with a heavy conditioner if your hair is prone to dryness because deep-cleansing shampoos can be harsher than other types.

3. Apply a generous number of highlights and lowlights to the top of your head as well as each side. Add more lowlights than highlights, making sure they are at least one or two shades darker than your natural hair color. Lowlights fade over time, so the darker shades eventually blend into your natural color.

4. Repeat the highlighting and lowlighting process once every three months, more often if necessary. Each time, add slightly less color than you did the previous session. Increase the number of lowlights and decrease the number of highlights.

5. Use a temporary hair dye, if you wish. Choose a similar or slightly darker shade than your natural color. Temporary hair color -- also known as a rinse or glaze -- lasts three to six weeks and does not damage hair. "Marie Claire" recommends using The Beautiful Collection by Clairol. Continue applying the temporary rinse once every few months until your hair returns to its natural color. The full transformation takes between six months and two years, depending on the length of your hair and how fast it grows.

Tips & Warnings

• Go to a professional hairdresser if you have never colored your own hair.

• Wear gloves when applying hair color.

• Keep hair dye away from your eyes, nose and mouth.

References

• American Cancer Society; Learn About Cancer; Hair Dyes
• "Marie Claire"; How to Care for Your Hair; Removing Hair Color; June 2002