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How to Lighten Hair Color After Coloring It Too Darkly

Contributor
By Sarah Letts
eHow Contributing Writer
(0 Ratings)

When coloring your hair, mistakes are not uncommon. You may wish to achieve a certain shade, only to discover it turns out much darker than you anticipated. Thankfully, you can correct hair coloring issues. Since hair is more vulnerable after it has been chemically treated, you do need to be careful with it. With careful treatment, you can successfully lighten your hair after you have colored it too darkly. With color correction issues, it's often wise to seek professional help.

Difficulty: Challenging
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Hair coloring kit Lemon juice Water Spray bottle Chamomile tea Deep conditioner
  1. Step 1

    See a professional. Since your hair is already damaged due to the first coloring job, it's wise to seek professional help to avoid further damage to your hair. Choose a professional who specializes in color correction.

  2. Step 2

    Purchase hair dye that is specifically designed to lighten dark hair. Most home dye kits contain color charts on the boxes that demonstrate how the dye will react to specific hair colors.

  3. Step 3

    Lighten hair gradually. Choose a shade that is slightly lighter than your current shade. If you try to lighten your hair too drastically, your hair may turn an orange or brassy color. You may have to color your hair several times, gradually lightening it each time, in order to reach your desired shade.

  4. Step 4

    Follow the kit's specific instructions. Make sure to thoroughly work the dye throughout all your hair evenly. If you miss spots, it will result in an uneven coloring job. Leave the dye on your hair for the specified amount of time and then completely rinse it out of your hair. If you leave it on for longer than instructed, it can result in odd hair coloring as well as severe damage to your locks.

  5. Step 5

    Try natural ingredients to lighten your hair. Mix two tablespoons of lemon juice with one cup of water, and spray the solution over your hair. Sit in the sun for about 20 to 30 minutes. The acidity of the lemon juice will lighten your strands. You can also brew chamomile tea and soak your hair in the mixture to lighten it.

  6. Step 6

    Slather your hair with a deep conditioning treatment. When you lighten your hair, it alters its chemical composition, often leaving it dry and somewhat damaged. Since your hair is particularly vulnerable, it needs extra care. Allow the hydrating conditioner to penetrate your strands for up to two hours before rinsing it out.

Tips & Warnings
  • Never leave dye on your hair for longer than the specified amount of time. Doing so can seriously damage and break your hair strands.

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