Hair Color Removal: Natural Home Remedies

Although the instructions for hair coloring are often followed precisely, hair coloring disasters can still happen, especially if the hair has been colored before or if the basic "rules" for hair coloring are not understood.

Your hair color is determined by the type and amount of pigment produced by specialized cells found in the hair follicles. The two main types of melanin pigments that influence hair color are:

  1. Eumelanin: Higher concentrations of this pigment are responsible for black and brown hair colors. 
  2. Pheomelanin: Higher concentrations of this pigment are responsible for red, brown, and blond.

The combination and concentration of these pigments determine the wide range of natural hair colors. Genetic factors play a significant role in determining how much of each type of melanin is produced. Other factors like age, hormonal changes, and certain medical conditions can also affect hair color. As people age, melanin production decreases, resulting in gray or white hair.

Types of Hair Coloring

Hair coloring involves a chemical process that changes hair color. This can be achieved through various methods, including temporary, semi-permanent, and permanent coloring techniques.

Here’s a general overview of the process:

Temporary Hair Color

  • Description: This type of hair color coats the surface of the hair shaft without penetrating it.
  • Duration: Washes out after one or two shampoos.
  • Application: Often comes in sprays, gels, mousses, or rinses.

Semi-Permanent Hair Color

  • Description: This color partially penetrates the hair shaft and typically lasts about 4 to 6 weeks.
  • Duration: Fades gradually with each shampoo.
  • Application: Applied to clean, damp hair and left on for a specified period before rinsing out. It doesn’t contain ammonia or peroxide, so it can’t lighten hair.

Permanent Hair Color

  • Description: This type of color fully penetrates the hair shaft, changing the hair's natural pigment.
  • Duration: This lasts until the hair grows out or is cut off, though it may fade over time.
  • Application Process:
    1. Preparation: The hair color mixture usually contains ammonia and a developer (hydrogen peroxide).
      • Ammonia: Opens up the hair cuticle so the color can penetrate the cortex.
      • Developer: Lightens the natural hair color and allows the new color to deposit.
    2. Application: The mixture is applied to the hair, from the roots to the ends.
    3. Processing Time: The color is left on the hair for a specified time (usually 30-45 minutes) to develop.
    4. Rinsing: The hair is rinsed thoroughly to remove the color mixture, followed by shampooing and conditioning.

Bleaching

  • Description: Bleaching is a process that removes the natural pigment from the hair, resulting in a lighter color. It’s often used before applying a vibrant or pastel color.
  • Application Process:
    1. Preparation: A bleaching mixture combines bleach powder with a developer.
    2. Application: The mixture is applied to the hair, starting at the ends and working towards the roots.
    3. Processing Time: The bleach is left on the hair for a specified amount of time, depending on the desired level of lightness.
    4. Rinsing: The hair is rinsed thoroughly to remove the bleach, followed by shampooing and conditioning.

Sometimes, a new hair color may look good initially but later be different from what you expected, prompting the need for removal. There are a few safe and effective home remedies for color correction.

Home Remedies and Natural Cures for Hair Color Removal

Before resorting to strong chemicals that may damage your hair, consider using natural products to remove hair color. Here are some effective home remedies:

Home Treatments for Color Correction

  1. Baking Soda and Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
    • Mix equal parts of baking soda and anti-dandruff shampoo.
    • Apply the mixture to your hair and leave it on for 10-15 minutes.
    • Rinse thoroughly with warm water.
  2. Vitamin C Treatment
    • Crush several vitamin C tablets into a fine powder.
    • Mix the powder with a clarifying shampoo to form a paste.
    • Apply the paste to damp hair and cover it with a shower cap.
    • Leave it on for 30-60 minutes before rinsing.
  3. Vinegar Rinse
    • Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water.
    • Apply the mixture to your hair and cover it with a shower cap.
    • Leave it on for 15-20 minutes before rinsing thoroughly.

Professional Color Correction

When a hair color mistake occurs, it is often best to seek professional help. Professional color correction products are designed for use by trained individuals and can effectively remove unwanted hair color without causing significant damage.

Avoid using these products yourself, as incorrect application can lead to further damage.

Re-dying Your Hair

One of the easiest ways to correct hair color is to re-dye it. Choose a color that will cover or downplay the unwanted shade. If you have used a dark color, you may need to re-dye your hair several times to achieve the desired result as the original dye lightens and your hair grows.

Commercial Color Removal Products

There are over-the-counter products available for hair color removal that are safe for average consumers:

  1. Color Fix by Jheri Redding
    • A gradual process that helps remove unwanted hair color over time.
  2. L’Oreal Effasol Color Remover
    • Effectively removes hair color, leaving it ready for re-coloring.
  3. L’Oreal Color Zap
    • Similar to Effasol, it prepares the hair for re-coloring.

Shampooing the Color Out

Hot oil treatments, hair spray, and regular shampooing can gradually remove hair color. To expedite the process, consider the following methods:

  1. Bleach and Shampoo Mixture
    • Mix a small amount of hair bleach (follow the manufacturer's instructions) with two tablespoons of shampoo.
    • Apply the mixture to your hair, focusing on the roots and working to the ends.
    • Knead the hair thoroughly and rinse well.
  2. High pH Shampoo
    • Use a high-pH shampoo to lift the cuticle and remove color deposits.
    • Clarifying shampoos are also effective in stripping hair color.
  3. Dandruff Shampoo
    • Washing your hair with dandruff shampoo can help remove hair color.
    • Repeat the process as needed to achieve the desired result.

Aftercare

Regardless of the type of hair coloring, proper aftercare is essential to maintain the color and health of the hair. This includes using color-safe shampoos and conditioners, minimizing heat styling, and protecting hair from sun exposure.

  • Rinsing: Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water until the water runs clear. Avoid hot water, which can further damage the hair and strip color.
  • Conditioning: Use a deep conditioner or a post-color treatment to restore moisture and seal the hair cuticle.
  • Avoid Shampoo: Avoid shampooing immediately after coloring; wait at least 24-48 hours for the color to set fully.

Seek Professional Help

  • Seek Professional Advice: If you are unsure or the color change is drastic, consider consulting a professional colorist to avoid potential damage and safely achieve the desired results.

Maintaining your New Hair Color

  • Color-Safe Products: Use shampoos and conditioners formulated for color-treated hair to extend the life of your color.
  • Minimize Heat Styling: Reduce the use of heat styling tools, and always use a heat protectant when you do.
  • Sun Protection: Protect your hair from excessive sun exposure by wearing a hat or using UV-protectant hair products.

By following these methods, you can effectively correct unwanted hair color, minimize the risk of damage, and achieve a successful hair recoloring result with a shade that you are happy with. Remember, if in doubt, seek professional assistance to avoid further damaging your hair.

Cautions When Coloring Hair

Recoloring hair involves several steps that can damage the hair if not done properly. Here are some cautions and tips to keep in mind:

Hair Health Assessment

  • Condition: Assess your hair's current condition. It may need treatment and strengthening before recoloring if it is very dry, brittle, or damaged.
  • Previous Treatments: Consider any previous chemical treatments (coloring, perming, relaxing) that may have weakened your hair.

Allergy Test

  • Patch Test: Always perform a patch test 48 hours before applying any new hair color product to check for allergic reactions. Apply a small amount of the dye mixture to a skin patch (usually behind the ear or on the inner elbow) and wait for any reaction.

Product Selection

  • Quality Products: Use high-quality hair color products and follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully.
  • Matching Formulas: Ensure that the new hair color formula is compatible with any existing hair color products you’ve used to avoid adverse reactions.

Preparation

  • Strand Test: Conduct a strand test to see how the new color will look on your hair and to check the processing time.
  • Protection: Protect your skin by applying a barrier cream (like petroleum jelly) along your hairline, ears, and neck to prevent staining.
  • Ventilation: Work in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling fumes from the hair dye.

Application Process

  • Follow Instructions: Strictly follow the instructions provided with the hair color product regarding mixing, application, and processing times.
  • Sectioning: Apply the color in sections to ensure even coverage.
  • Avoid Overlapping: Avoid overlapping color on previously colored hair to prevent excessive damage.

Processing Time

  • Timing: Do not exceed the recommended processing time. Leaving the dye on for too long can damage your hair.
  • Monitoring: Keep an eye on your hair during the coloring process to monitor any adverse reactions.

Frequency

  • Limit Frequency: Avoid recoloring your hair too frequently. Allow sufficient time between color treatments to minimize damage.
  • Root Touch-Ups: Consider root touch-ups instead of recoloring the entire hair length to maintain color.