Stripping Processed Hair
Coloring your hair is always a risk, especially when done at home. If you find that the color you've chosen isn't what you expected, most hairstylists recommend that you go to the salon to have it repaired to avoid damaging your hair. While this can be an expensive choice, it is far less risky than any other option. However, as a less expensive alternative, you can remove color from your hair at home by following the steps below. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Deep conditioner
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Hair color removal kit
- Hand mirror
- Stationary mirror
- Toner (optional)
- Hair color (optional)
Instructions
-
-
1
Twenty four hours before you remove the color, complete a deep conditioning treatment on your hair. An effective at-home treatment is to warm up a couple of tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and massage it through your hair. Cover your hair with a plastic cap, and then use your hair dryer to heat the conditioner. Leave the oil on your hair for about 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
-
2
Pick up a color removal kit at your local beauty supply shop. Avoid bleaches. There are many color removers on the market. One that works well and is reasonably priced is Color Oops by Clairol. It's ammonia free and bleach free, and allows you to recolor your hair the same day.
-
-
3
Mix the product as suggested by the manufacturer. Apply as suggested, making sure to cover all of the affected areas of your hair. If possible, have a friend help you apply the product. If not, try using a hand mirror and a stationary mirror to see the back of your hair.
-
4
Rinse your hair thoroughly. Do not shampoo. Unless your hair dye was a darker color than your natural hair, you won't be able to get your natural color back without recoloring. Expect to see a yellow or orange look to your hair.
-
5
Some kits include a toner. Apply the toner as instructed by the manufacturer. Be sure to rinse it out thoroughly when finished. Do not shampoo.
-
6
While it may be acceptable to dye your hair the same day, your hair will be less damaged if you can wait a week or so. If not, consider purchasing henna dye from your local beauty supply store. This will cause much less damage to processed hair, and while it's not permanent, it may be just what you need to give your hair a break. Otherwise, look for a low-ammonia formula.
-
7
Follow the manufacturer's instructions for mixing and applying color. Rinse well when finished, and be sure to deep condition your hair. Most hair color kits include a tube of conditioner, but if yours doesn't, consider an olive oil treatment as outlined above.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Black hair dye is the hardest to remove. If the home removal kit you've chosen doesn't do the job the first time, go to the salon to avoid permanent damage. Dawn dish detergent applied to the hair immediately after coloring can reduce the intensity of a color. Always follow with a deep conditioning treatment as Dawn also takes all of the oils out of your hair. Other color removal product suggestions: Color Fix by Jheri Redding, Loreal Color Zap, Loreal Effasol Color Remover, Clairol The Uncolor System (for temporary color only).
Over-processing your hair can cause damage that cannot be reversed. Hair becomes increasingly porous as you color over time, and this is especially true with naturally curly hair since it's already more permeable. This can cause your hair to fall out or break off over time. Do an allergy test before using any product on your hair to avoid allergic reactions. You can do this by testing the product on a small section of hair, preferably in an unseen area. Avoid products with bleach or ammonia.
