How to Safely Remove Black Box Hair Dye from Naturally Dark Brown Hair

Trying to remove black box hair dye from dark, naturally brown hair can be a challenge. Whether you accidentally used the wrong color or wanted to make a bold change, the results may not be as desired. While it's possible to undertake this process yourself, the outcome may not be ideal, and it might require professional assistance. Here, we'll explore why removal is difficult and offer some safe, albeit challenging, at-home solutions.

Understanding the Challenges

Dark, previously lightened hair is highly porous, which means it readily absorbs color. Demi-permanent black hair color does not always wash out of virgin dark brown hair, making the task of removing permanent black dye from such hair extremely delicate. Professional colorists often recommend correcting color to a lighter shade before attempting to revert back to the original hair color. This process can be time-consuming and expensive, but it is the safest and most likely to yield satisfactory results.

Why You Should Consider Professional Help

Attempting to remove black box hair dye from dark brown hair at home without professional guidance is not recommended. Here's why:

Potential Damage: Attempting to remove strong hair dye without the expertise to do so properly can cause damage to your hair shaft, leading to breakage, dryness, and other issues. Trial and Error: Amateur solutions are more likely to be trial and error, potentially leading to further changes you may not like. Variable Results: Each person’s hair, including porosity, texture, and previous treatments, reacts differently to hair color removal, making it impossible to predict the outcome accurately.

Professional Solutions and Tips

If you're set on removing black box hair dye at home or want a more reliable solution, consider consulting a professional. Here are some steps you can take:

Seek Expertise: Contact a master-licensed professional colorist who specializes in hair color corrections. Set up a consultation and follow their advice. Clarifying Treatments: Some clarifying treatments can help remove unwanted color. They work by dislodging oxidized coating on the hair without damaging it. Ingredients like ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) can be used, but these should be applied with caution and under professional guidance. Handling Oxidation: Oxidation is the process by which hair color accumulates on the hair shaft. To reverse this, you can use reducing agents like ascorbic acid. Oxidized hair dye needs to be reduced back to its original state, making it less likely to stick to the hair.

Safe and Effective Clarifying Treatment for Hair

A clarifying treatment can be effective in removing unwanted color, but it requires careful execution:

Mix Fruit Fresh and Water: Fruit Fresh, a product sold in grocery stores, contains ascorbic acid (vitamin C) which can help reduce the oxidized coating on the hair. Combine Fruit Fresh with Clarifying Shampoo: Add a small amount of clarifying shampoo to the Fruit Fresh mixture and mix well. Clarifying shampoos with EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) can also be effective in removing hard water minerals, iron, calcium, and magnesium. Apply the Treatment: Shampoo and towel dry your hair. Apply the clarifying treatment to your hair, cover it with a plastic bag (with a few holes for ventilation), and wrap it with a tight heat cap (hooded dryer) or use a hand dryer to maintain heat. This process should help open the cuticles and allow the treatment to work more effectively.

Conclusion

Removing black box hair dye from naturally dark brown hair is complex and often results in disappointment. The safest route is to consult a professional colorist who can provide tailored advice and expert solutions. If you decide to attempt this treatment at home, use cautious and carefully follow the steps mentioned above to minimize damage and maximize results.