How to Remove Haircolor

How to remove hair color when you've made a mistake can save you lots of time and frustration. There are products on the market that allow you to remove an unwanted hair color shortly after dyeing your locks. Unlike hair lighteners, hair color removers are free of ammonia and bleach. Hair color remover kits can be purchased at beauty supply and drug stores. Although these kits may not bring your hair back to its natural color, it will prep your hair for another color application.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Hair color remover kit
• Bowl
• Tint brush
• Towel

Patch Test for Allergic Sensitivity

1. Mix an equal amount of hair color remover powder and hair color remover liquid into the bowl with the end of the tint brush. This should only be a tiny amount, no bigger than a nickel.

2. Clean the area in the crease of your elbow with soap and water. Dry the area.

3. Spread a small amount of the mixture onto the skin in the crease of your elbow until it is dry. If no irritation occurs after 24 hours, wash with soap and water and proceed. If irritation occurs, wash immediately and consult your stylist.

Application

4. Drape a towel over your shoulders to protect clothing. Put on the plastic or latex gloves provided in the hair color removal kit.

5. Mix together the contents of the powder packet and the liquid into the bowl with the tint brush. Stir until there are no chunks of powder left.

6. Apply the mixture to your hair with the tint brush, saturating the ends first. You can also apply the mixture with gloved hands if that is more comfortable.

7. Let the mixture sit on your ends for a few minutes before applying it to your roots. Since hair ends have been exposed to more damage, they are drier and more porous than the roots. This means the ends are most likely darker from previous dyeing.

8. Let the mixture sit for the allotted amount of time indicated on the packaging.

9. Rinse completely with cool water.

Tips & Warnings

• Conducting a patch test is important when applying chemicals anywhere near your skin to ensure no allergic reactions occur. Never apply hair color remover to the eyebrows or eyelashes. If any chemicals get in your eyes, flush them out with water immediately. If irritation persists, contact a doctor. These kits contain hydrogen peroxide that will stain clothing.

References

• Walgreens.com
• L'Oreal Paris Haircolor Remover