[knystrom]

I have coloured my hair with a semipermanent dark brown hair colouring. I want to return to my natural hair colour, silver gray. How would I go about doing this? Do I have to just let my hair grow out or can I strip it and colour it gray? Please advise.

[RickJ]

Haha, you should see me. I am 75-80% grey and I've often looked for something that will dye my hair grey just to "get it over with".

I've checked every store I shop in that carries hair care products and have not found a colorant that will do grey.

Maybe you and I are the only ones who WANT to be grey :p

Unless someone comes up with something I've not found, then you just let it grow out.

[PrettyLady]

Knystorm, semi-permanent color washes out in 6 to 12 shampoos and are generally used to cover up to 20% gray or darken hair. If you chemically strip the color, your hair will turn an orange or beige shade. Over time, the semi-permanent color will gradually wash out without damaging your hair color.

[knystrom]

Thanks for your replies rickj and pretty lady. My hair is totally gray and I've been using semi-permanent hair colour for years. My hair must take to colorant easily because it doesn't wash out totally in 12 to 24 washings. Last time I returned to gray I had to grow it out. Because I like to keep my hair mid-length it took me almost a year to return to gray. I was just wondering if there was such a thing as a gray hair coloring, to cover up the brown hair coloring, but I think you've answered my question. It is "No"! So I'll have to bite the bullet, let it grow out, and keep cutting it.:eek:

[PrettyLady]

A professional hairstylist might be able to strip the color and use a blue base color to achieve the gray look. However, this process is tricky and it can damage your hair. Try to be patient and let your hair grow out naturally.

[Natural Lady]

I've discovered something to help if you've colored your hair in the "non permanent" blonde category as I've done: use the purple or blue shampoo that keeps white hair from turning yellow and removes yellows and brassiness. Apply it on clean, damp hair and lather it in, keeping it in for 20 minutes like when you color your hair. Then rinse it out and apply cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil in for a few hours; then wash it out with that same shampoo. I only did this once today and am amazed at how much of the old color has come out revealing my "silver." I think I'll do it several more times this week to see what happens. This has come to me after, like you all, searching for ways to return to my natural "silver."