Removing Dark Hair Color

momincali · Feb 3, 2006, 10:22 PM

I did this once. I bought powdered on scalp hair bleach, a high quality shampoo and conditioner (I bought Joico Moisturizing Treatment) and mixed per directions on the bleach packet. I added three tablespoons of shampoo and three tablespoons of conditioner. You may more than likely see it turning very interesting shades of red, then orange and eventually blondish. That's because we're removing all the dark layers first, what's left is red before it turns blonde. I also wrapped it in plastic wrap and zapped it with the hair dryer for about 20 minutes. Once my hair reached the right stage of lightness, I rinsed the bleach from the hair. I shampooed and used the moisturing treament heavily and wrapped it again in plastic wrap and left it in for a couple of hoursl. Afterwards, rinse it and color it using a toner or something mild.
Good Luck!

PrettyLady · Feb 4, 2006, 01:35 AM

CherieH, I've received your PM. Hair bleach will defuse all pigments from the hair, you should never use bleach if you have black hair and want it medium brown. You can use the Color Zap or Color Fix to remove the color, then you can re-color your hair with hair color that's close to your natural color. As for the Prell and Dawn, they will only fade the hair slightly. If you don't think you can do it on your own, you may want to go to the salon and have them correct the color for you.

Katinka16 · Feb 5, 2006, 06:36 PM

Hello!
Well, I basically did the same thing. I dyed my naturally dark brown hair black on Friday night. I always liked the dramatic look of black hair, but because I didn't want black hair forever, I used Clairol Natural Instincts Neutral/Midnight Black. The box said it was non-permanent and would wash out in 28 shampoos. However, once I had already applied the dye, I saw this small note on the instructions that if I dyed my hair a darker color, the dye would not wash out in 28 shampoos. Does this mean that I am stuck with black hair until it grows out? Or just that the dye will take longer than 28 shampoos?

I really don't want ridiculous roots to grow into my hair, so I'm kind of freaking out. I ordered a box of "Loreal Color Zap" online and should get that by the end of the week (fingers crossed). Has anyone used this? Will it strip all of the color out of my hair, or just the artificial color? Is it a shampoo you use once, or do you use it repeatedly until your hair gets back to the color you desire?

I would greatly appreciate any advice! I have never dyed my hair before and I am a student, so I don't have enough money to drop at a salon to fix this if terrible roots grow in!

Thanks,
Kat

PrettyLady · Feb 5, 2006, 11:52 PM

Katinka, black or brown hair dyes are the hardest to remove. Since you've used a black color, it will take longer to wash out of the hair. As for the Color Zap, it's designed to wash away all dyes from the hair and gets it ready for re-coloring. It comes with directions, be sure to follow the directions carefully. I understand that couldn't afford to go to the salon to have the color corrected. Therefore, I recommend that you let a friend or family member apply the color for you. But if you need help on how to color your hair you may ask your questions here and I will be glad to answer them.

Katinka16 · Feb 6, 2006, 01:03 PM

Thanks for answering my question, Pretty! So will the Color Zap wash out only the dye and leave my natural color, or will it wash out all the color from my hair?

Do you think it would be better to keep the black in my hair for the next month and let it fade a bit, or will the Color Zap work better when the dye is more recent?

Thanks!
Kat

PrettyLady · Feb 6, 2006, 11:21 PM

Katinka, you're welcome. The Color Zap should wash out permanent and non permanent dyes from the hair, but your hair will be brassy afterward, so it's best to re-color your hair. You can wait for the color to fade, or you can use the Color Zap, the choice is yours.

elnyg · May 7, 2006, 08:56 AM

I recently dyed my hair with black hair dye and it came out black with really grey and nasty undertones. I used one of those mousse like products that claims to wash out in 10-12 washes. It looks terrible and I hate it. I have never dyed my hair before and I an regreting my stupid decision to do this.

Is there any way to remove it without having to re-dye my hair? I love my natural color (light brown) and I shouldn't have done it in the first place. I saw a treatment to mix some bleach in with some shampoo, but will that just damage my hair? Is there any way to get it back to normal especially since this hair dye claims to be "removable"? Should I just wait it out and wash my hair a couple to a few times a day? Please help!

PrettyLady · May 7, 2006, 11:29 PM

Hun, your hair won't return to its original shade because the pigments in black dyes are very strong. If you use color removers or have it stripped, it will leave your hair in a very raw color state with brassy undertones. Therefore, you will need to re-color your hair. You can wait until your hair grows out, but you can also let a hairstylist do a corrective coloring on your hair.

lois_lou · Jul 9, 2006, 10:55 AM

Hey, you know if you go to the hairdressers, will they be able to dye your hair any colour no matter how dark it is?

Removing Dark Hair Color

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