Proper Hair Dye Removal: Techniques for Lightening After Dyeing Red Turned Black

Having red hair dye applied only to turn it black can be quite perplexing. If you have found yourself in this situation, fear not! There are effective techniques to help you lighten your hair back to black. This guide will cover the necessary steps to achieve the desired result while minimizing damage to your hair.

When to Use Color Remover

Going from red hair to black does not require the use of bleach. If you want to eliminate the red tones entirely, it is recommended to use a color remover to strip as much red dye as possible. This will make the subsequent bleaching process easier and less damaging to your hair. Consider using a semi-permanent hair dye instead, as it minimizes damage and allows for easier manipulation of your hair color.

Understanding Hair Color Changes

It's important to understand that hair color changes from red to black do not typically require bleaching. Bleaching is specifically used for lightening hair, not darkening it. When you dye your hair red and it ends up black, the red pigment is covered by the black formula, rather than being lightened. The red sheen might appear under sunlight but is usually minimal.

Using Reducing Agents to Lighten Hair

Fruit Fresh, which contains ascorbic acid, a form of Vitamin C, can be used as a reducing agent to break down the oxidized dye. Ascorbic acid functions as a reducing agent, preventing fresh produce from spoiling due to oxidation. When mixed with peroxide, it helps to reduce the oxidized dye into a colorless compound. Here’s how you can create a clarifying treatment to remove the hair color:

Clarifying Treatment Recipe

Mix 1 ounce of Fruit Fresh with 1 ounce of water to create a liquid. Add 1 ounce of Clarifying Shampoo to the mixture and mix well. Shampoo and towel dry the treated hair. Apply the clarifying treatment evenly to your hair. Cover your hair with a plastic bag that has multiple holes. Place the hair under a hooded dryer using a hand dryer or a heat cap. Process the treatment under heat for 15 minutes. Rinse the hair thoroughly and apply a Clarifying Shampoo containing EDTA. Condition and style your hair as usual.

This treatment will help to reduce the hair color to colorless compounds. However, the color may return in 24 hours, so it is essential to follow up with a Clarifying Shampoo containing EDTA to remove any remaining color and minerals from the hair.

Using Peroxide to Lighten Hair

If you prefer a simpler method, you can use 30 vol peroxide. Box dyes found in grocery and drugstores typically contain only 20 vol peroxide. While this can be good for depositing color, it is not effective for lifting color. If you use 30 vol peroxide, it is capable of lifting the color. It is recommended to mix it with shampoo and condition the hair thoroughly.

When applying peroxide, do not leave it on for more than 20 minutes and follow up with a deep conditioning treatment to minimize damage.

By understanding the techniques and materials involved, you can effectively lighten your hair back to black and avoid the frustration of red hair dye turning black.