[hearyoume]

Today I dyed my hair "dark brown" and it came out too dark. I don't want to strip or bleach my hair, I just want to make the color fade a little faster. I've read about several ways to do this and I wanted to know if anyone knew the best method or if any of these really work. Here are the suggestions I have found:

1. Wash it with Prell shampoo
2. Wash it with a dandruff shampoo that has tar in it
3. Wash it with shampoo mixed with baking soda
4. Wash it with Dawn dish detergent
5. Wash it with Tide

If anyone can elaborate on these (i.e. tell me how frequently I would have to wash my hair with any of these) or give me other suggestions that would be great. I would especially like to know of any method that is less damaging to my hair.

Thanks.

[the_ginger_bread_girl]

Dear hearyoume,
I just made the same mistake a few days ago- I'm a natural blonde, but I tried to dye my hair auburn. (bad, bad idea.) now I shudder every time I look in the mirror, since it became a crazy, bobo-the-clown orange-red.
Obviously, I tried a bunch of hair-dye removal tequniques. The baking-soda-and-shampoo didn't work for me at all, but then again, I didn't leave it on for a very long time. I'm currently trying the old "dish-soap" remedy (here's hoping it works!), and if it helps, I'll post again to let you know.
As for prell shampoo, it's supposed to work really well, but I haven't gotten out to buy some. But it may depend on when you died your hair, since I read everywhere that it comes out easiest in the first 48-72 hours after dying. But don't fear, there are hair-dye-removal kit things at salons if you're willing to go out and buy something.
Also, check out this website for the prell tequnique (and a hot oil treatment which is also supposed to work). You'll have to scroll down a bit, but when you get to it (it's in bold letters and says something like, "when you've dyed your hair too dark") it gives you specifics that I'm too lazy to type. The site is: www.hairboutique.com/tips/tip1236.htm.
Good luck!
~the gingerbread girl~ :)

[beavertail]

well, I'm sitting here right now with my head full of dish detergent, wrapped in a towel - I figure maybe it needs to sit for a bit? I had my hair coloured yesterday (supposedly a mid-brown brown; my natural colour is mid-brown & I'd just wanted to freshen things up) and I look completely goth, my hair is nearly jet-black. I'd go back to the salon, but they're too snotty & I know they'd just make me feel like this is what I'd asked for. ANYWAY.
I washed my hair with sunlight (dish detergent) and head 'n shoulders (dandruff shampoo) about 10X last night, conditioned like crazy, left it on overnight... and TODAY, it looks exactly the same :(((
so now I'm washing it maniacally a few times more with the detergent - if I don't see any improvement, I'm going to go to a beauty supply store to see what they have in terms of a 'color fix' solution. Actually I think it IS called 'color fix', haha - does anyone have experience with this??
I'd go and get highlights put in, but my poor hair needs a break for a few months, anyway...
good luck!!

[Chery]

If nothing else works, and you want to protect your hair for a few months, maybe a colored mousse a little lighter than what you've got might cover it up for a little while - at least that can always be washed out. I myself use quick and brite (totally environment safe and an enzyme) to wash my hair and it's colored silver blond then I use silver mousse on it after washing. I stays shiny and does not feel like straw. Good Luck.

[KateQueen]

also, check out this website for the prell tequnique www.hairboutique.com/tips/tip1236.htm

The Prell technique works the best. I've done it twice, so far, and each time I rinsed, the water was black. I thought about using the L'Oreal Color Remover Kit, but I don't want to damage my hair any more than it already is. I definitely recommend Prell.

[lisakayosu]

Is it the regular Prell shampoo that works the best? I went to the store and saw 4 or 5 different kinds of Prell shampoo. I really need to get this hair color out! ;)

[KateQueen]

It says "Original" on it. I found mine at the grocery store (our Target doesn't even carry it, LOL!) Good Luck!

[Chery]

Boy the Prell must be some great stuff. Did you know that the prell dishwashing liquid added to a lot of water and sprayed on your trees and bushes in the garden also keep aphids and other bugs off it? Thumbs up for Prell!

[Red star]

My beautician really screwed me over. I specifically said no red. I thought I was going from blonde to golden brown. I got red (purple lowlights). :( It's been almost 48 hours, however I've gotten rid of some. I've washed with Prell at least 8 times. Hot water, however is doing it. Notice the water color when you rinse with warm water & then with hot. Hot strips the color! Also I've been using hot extra virgin olive oil, then washing with Prell, A lot! Then deep conditioning, because I think it prevents the color from settleing in the hair cuticle. I'm going to try the tomatoe base next, they say the acid in tomatoes strips the color. P.S. These are for bad brunette dyes not for blondes. Good luck!

[dragnflyangell]

If your hair is not colored too much and is in good shape and your not scared try mixing bleach , 20 volume peroxide, and shampoo and work it evenly into your hair but don't scrub but the shampoo will take the harshness out of the bleach and for a quick fix it will lighten hair but you might have to color over it if you get it too light just watch it carefully. I am a hairdresser and when something like that happens that is what is the fastest way to lighten hair but it is hard to tell you what to do because I can't see it. I hope evrything turns out. If you need any more help email me and I will try to help in anyway I can. Good luck.

[Chery]

If your hair is not colored too much and is in good shape and your not scared try mixing bleach , 20 volume peroxide, and shampoo and work it evenly into your hair but dont scrub but the shampoo will take the harshness out of the bleach and for a quick fix it will lighten hair but you might have to color over it if you get it too light just watch it carefully. I am a hairdresser and when something like that happens that is what is the fastest way to lighten hair but it is hard to tell you what to do because I can't see it. I hope evrything turns out. If you need any more help go ahead and email me and I will try to help in anyway I can. Good luck.

Glad to have a 'specialist' in this aboard. My exam was in 1969 and I'm sure that there have been a lot of changes and new techniques since then. Please answer the questions put to you on the forum, instead of email, so that we can all benefit from your advice. Enjoy this forum, you'll really are a welcome member!

[gutpulldrag]

I dyed my hair dark brown and it came out too black for my taste. I was wondering how much color the Prell would take out? Thanks.

[PrettyLady]

I would normally recommend that people go to a salon to get their hair dyed. However, I know some of you just don't have the time or money to spend, so you color your hair at home. Yes, Prell or dandruff shampoo will assist color fading faster. Take some Prell shampoo and apply it throughout out your hair, leave it on for 45 minutes, then rinse it out with warm water. Use a conditioner after your done rinsing the shampoo out.

Here's another tip: Hot oil treatments will also help to strip chemically applied color.

[PrettyLady]

Chery, I didn't see your question until now. Not the kind of oil you normally use on your skin, it has to be hot oil hair treatments. Hot oil treatments will gradually fade hair dye. However, I wouldn't recommend using it to repair damaged hair. You probably heard that oil treatments restores hair and makes it soft and shiney, but it's not true. Most oils do not have the ability to penetrate into the hair shaft. It lays on top of the cuticle and cause build up. It's best to use deep conditioners on damaged hair, it will repair the cuticles and make the appearance of your hair healthy.

[Chery]

Chery, I didn't see your question until now. Not the kind of oil you normally use on your skin, it has to be hot oil hair treatments. Hot oil treatments will gradually fade hair dye. However, I wouldn't recommend using it to repair damaged hair. You probably heard that oil treatments restores hair and makes it soft and shiney, but it's not true. Most oils do not have the ability to penetrate into the hair shaft. It lays on top of the cuticle and cause build up. It's best to use deep conditioners on damaged hair, it will repair the cuticles and make the appearance of your hair healthy.

I never needed any oils for my own hair, I used mayonaise and that worked for me, wrapped in plastic and placed under a red lamp for 20 minutes, then a lot of rinsing, but never hot. If hair gets too hot, it's not good either. Now I let my daughter do my hair, as it's hard for me to lift my arms long enough without pain of arthritis and old age. Too bad I don't get grey hair, no women in my family ever did, but I wish I had it. It's hard to get the right 'silver gray' color I want and it's a pain to retouch it. Thanks again, and you give great advice. Don't stop..

sorry it took so long to respond, had the flu over the weekend.

[PrettyLady]

Chery, thank you for those kind words. I also think you give great advice, your comments are very helpful to me and others. I must say that everyone here has been doing an outstanding job as well. It's good to see that all of you are using your knowledge to help people. It doesn't matter how old you are, or where you come from, your advice makes a difference here. ;)

[TamaraInkk]

I've just had my hair stripped of its prievious colour and dyed bright orange--huge disarster-- I went back and had it toned down by dying over it, it was OK but I just got back from vacation and the sun and pool have spripped the colour back to a dull urban. I hate it, but I can't afford to change it yet again- (the last effort cost $300) I'm going back in a mouth but I can't stand it atm. I want to dye it blond but I don't know how to get the current colour out, I thought about bleaching it but last time it went orange- but then I had blue black in it- will it be OK this time givern that its had most of the preivious colour stripped resently? I'v read that if it does go orangy after bleaching that you can use a ash based hair dye that it nuetralises the orange? Is this true?

[PrettyLady]

Hello,TamaraInkk, I will answer your question before I go out tonight. When you add bleach to your hair it will change your hair color in stages. First it will change from black to red, and then lighten gradually from red to orange, orange to yellow, and finally from yellow to white. When your hair is very dark and you want to dye it blonde, it will most likely turn orange. The hair would have to be bleached to remove the dark color. Changing your hair color can be a difficult process. I don't think you should do this on your own. I recommend that you see a hairstylist.

Some hairstylists will get confuse when toning down hair colors. Let your hairstylist know that they need to use a violet base color to neutralize the orange in your hair. To tone down the red, they have to use ash/green based color. Good luck, hun.

[jpalis]

You need to by a toner and it will lighten the hair. You can but it at any hair place and it doesn't cost a lot. Hope that helps

[PrettyLady]

Toners are very weak and they will only work on very light hair. If your hair isn't light enough not much will happen. TamaraInkk hair has to be bleached if she wants her hair blonde. It's best that she goes to a hairstylist to have it done, I've given her some advice on how to tone down unwanted shades, she can pass it on to her hairstylist.