Semi-permanent color won't lighten your hair because it contains no peroxide and ammonia. Permanent color can make hair several shades lighter. To lighten the hair 1 to 2 levels, you can use a color with a 20-volume developer. However, if you want to go more than two shades lighter than your original color, you will need to do what is called a double process. A double process consists of bleaching and then putting the desired color into the hair. The hairstylist can give you a decent light brown shade, minus the unwanted red tones.