My hair has been black for a year or so and its not super unhealthy, but could be better.
I want to somehow get the black out in the next few weeks, and slowly lighten it over the last few months of school and summer.
How do I get the black out with minimum damage? And how long should I wait until lightening it, and how much each time?
Thanks.
p.s. any great products to keep it healthy?

If you're from the UK like me: go into any Boots store and pick up "Scott Cornwall Colour B4 extra strong for dark colours" it works an absolute treat and is pretty cheap £11! My hair has been blue/black for nearly three years, my natural colour is dark blonde and I have quite fine hair. It'll leave your hair a little orange-y, but do it where you have a few days off from work or school (ie. Friday, Saturday, sunday), apply it on the Friday and then wait till the next morning/day then apply another lot of it to get rid of the orange that was left from the previous application. Also keep in mind that your hair pours will be open and if you add a brown colour then it'll soak it up and look a lot darker, I suggest you pick a light ash brown colour the day after you apply it for the second time.. or a colour 2 shades lighter then your desired colour.. DO NOT APPLY HEAT TO THIS PRODUCT WHILST IT IS SETTING.

If you live in the US then I suggest "Colorfix One n' Only", I've read a lot of reviews on this and been on YouTube to see the girls report back on how they did it and how it turned out.. $12.99 in stores and $13.99 online, can be bought from Sally's Beauty. YOU CAN APPLY HEAT TO THIS EVERY SO OFTEN WHILST THE DEVELOPER IS WORKING ITS MAGIC.

Have a look through the pictures and reviews on colorfix on:
Product Reviews: one 'n only Colorfix - Folica.com


How to keep your hair healthy I guess would be to get a leave in conditioner for over night, they work wonders!
:) hope this helps!