There are several reasons why hair is dyed black. Unfortunately, the procedure for removing the dye is much more complicated. In theory it is similar to that required by other colors, but the lead times could be longer and the products more harmful. As if this were not enough, it is impossible to recover the natural color immediately: you have to wait for the hair to grow back. If you've dyed your hair black and don't like the result, read this article to find out how to choose a color that offers the right balance between your natural tone and one that would flatter you.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Use a Pickling Kit
Step 1. Use a pickling kit
The products available on the market have the purpose of eliminating the unwanted color. You can find a large assortment on the market. Each has different chemicals and instructions.
- Choose a particularly strong one, as the black tint is the hardest to get rid of.
- Consider the length of your hair and the type of dye used. If a double treatment is necessary, it is good to buy two packs. They can also be useful for long or thick hair.
Step 2. Read the instructions
Make sure you read the manual contained in the kit carefully and follow all the steps indicated to get good results.
Learn about any side effects, such as discolouration or intense dryness (in which case you need to prepare a nourishing mask to treat your hair)
Step 3. Before starting treatment, prepare yourself
Just like when you need to make a dye, it is better to wear old clothes and gloves. Before applying the product, also prepare your hair. Also, remember that chemicals may have a watery consistency and drip, so it's best to wrap a towel around your shoulders.
- Wear clothes that you can easily stain, such as clothes that you only wear around the house or that you can ruin without regret. Of course, you don't have to do the treatment with new or expensive clothes.
- Before applying, brush your hair. The chemicals could get caught in the knots and remove more pigment in those spots. You therefore risk finding yourself with patchy hair.
- Apply a product such as petroleum jelly around the perimeter of the face and hairline to avoid soiling or irritating the skin. It will therefore prevent chemicals from getting on the skin. Remember to do this even before dyeing your hair again so as not to stain the skin.
- Put on your gloves and start mixing. Now that you are ready to work with the chemicals, read the instructions and mix the ingredients before applying them to your hair. Some kits emit an odor that is very reminiscent of sulfur or rotten eggs, so it can be annoying. It would be better to open the bathroom window or turn on the fan.
Step 4. Apply the mixture to your hair
After preparing it, apply it evenly on the hair. Some pickling kits have a more watery consistency than others.
- Gradually apply it to 3 cm wide locks. First, apply the application to the lower half of the hair, then work your way up to the crown of the head. Following a regular procedure allows you to get a more precise result and control how much product you apply.
- Cover your head and respect the shutter speed. If the effectiveness of the product is enhanced by the heat, try placing a hairdryer on a heat-resistant holder for a hairdryer, sit on the ground and point it towards your head.
Step 5. Repeat
It may be necessary to reapply the mixture to achieve the desired result, especially if you have dyed your hair black many times. If you think this may be the case, it is best to buy an extra pack or keep the remaining ingredients after completing the first application.
Step 6. Get a nourishing treatment
It is best to prepare everything you need in advance: the hair can become weak or damaged. After pickling, apply a mask. To protect them even more, avoid styling that requires tools like straighteners and hairdryers.
Step 7. Rite your hair
After using a pickling kit, remember that you may need to make another dye. Because? Once the black pigment is removed, the hair will likely be too light. This result may be fine for some women, but for others it would be preferable to dye them and get a more natural color. In any case, you should wait at least two weeks before doing another color, so that your hair can have a moment of respite. However, many kits indicate that it is safe to color them immediately after use.
Method 2 of 3: Try Home Remedies
Step 1. Try an oil-based treatment
It is advisable to remove henna and other more permanent colors. It does not necessarily remove the dye: more than anything else it can eliminate excess pigment faster than washing with shampoo.
- Choose a multipurpose oil (such as olive, coconut, argan oil, and so on) or buy a specific hair oil. You can also try mixing several or buying a product made from mixed oils. Remember to get enough of it to be able to do the treatment twice.
- Apply a generous amount all over your hair.
- Leave it on for a few hours. If you can, cover your hair and leave it on overnight - it may give you better results.
- Wash off the oil with shampoo. Remember that water and oil do not mix, so it may be necessary to repeat the wash several times to get rid of it.
- This method decreases the chances of damaging your hair, as the oil is supposed to moisturize it as it removes the dye.
Step 2. Get a vitamin C treatment
Just as it can remove other hair dyes, vitamin C can lighten black hair by a tone or two. In any case, this method is more effective with semi-permanent dyes: the acids act in a similar way to lemon juice to lighten the hair.
- Make a thick mixture using vitamin C tablets and water.
- Apply it to damp hair.
- Leave it on for about an hour.
- Shampoo to get rid of it.
Step 3. Try a honey treatment
It is generally used only to lighten the hair, so rather than removing the dye it will make it lighter. This treatment favors the production of peroxide, therefore it has bleaching properties.
- Mix four parts of honey and one part of water.
- Let the mixture sit for 30-60 minutes.
- Apply it to damp hair.
- Cover them and let it sit for at least two hours.
- Rinse and repeat as needed.
Step 4. Mix dish soap and baking soda
It is more aggressive than a shampoo, so it must be combined with a nourishing treatment.
- Mix five drops of dish soap and a handful of baking soda.
- Massage it into damp hair.
- Let it sit for a few minutes.
- Rinse and repeat if necessary.
Step 5. Use shampoos specially designed to remove pigments
This is the easiest way to lighten your hair. This product has a faster action than that of a normal shampoo.
- Clarifying shampoos designed to remove chlorine from hair help remove black dye.
- Anti-dandruff shampoos have been shown to be effective in removing certain types of dyes. In some cases the effect can be enhanced by mixing equal parts of shampoo and baking soda. Leave it on for a few minutes and rinse it off to check its effectiveness.
- It may take several washes to get the desired result. By doing several shampoos, the pigment will lighten as you go and you will see it flow down the drain. Keep trying!
Method 3 of 3: Contact a Professional
Step 1. Find out about the process
Eliminating the black tint to get a natural light color can be a chore. Before contacting a hairdresser, consider what you are going through and think about the final result you want.
- Each session at the hairdresser can include bleaching (to remove the pigment) and toning (to obtain an acceptable color).
- It may take several sessions, but the hairdresser will know how to limit the damage and what products to give you so that you can continue the work at home.
- At some point in the process, the hair can turn orange, but the hairdresser can remedy it by dyeing it again.
- Contact a trusted hairdresser to find out about the various solutions.
Step 2. Ask for a quote
Eliminating the black tint is expensive. It is best to ask for a quote in different salons to find one with good value for money.
Remember that generally the result also depends on the amount spent. If you go to a very cheap salon, you can lose the health of your hair because you risk relying on inexperienced hands (at which point you might as well do a home treatment)
Step 3. Wait for the hair to grow back
Contact a hairdresser to gradually dye the roots to your natural color or the tone you want. It's a slower process, but in general it will cause less damage and your hair won't necessarily turn orange.
