Removing black hair color

Help!
I have naturally light brown hair almost blonde. I have been dying it black (with various at home dyes) for about 2 years. I hate it and want to go back to my natural color. I was told that stripping my hair with bleach will totally dry it out and I don’t want to have nasty straw hair.

Are there any at home bleaches that won’t kill my hair too much? Also once my hair is bleached I will have to put the brown color on top, so what can I do to make sure it doesn’t look brassy. I guess my question is what is the best thing to do to go from black hair to light brown and what products to use when doing it myself at home since most hair stylists that I went to are either way too expensive or don’t recommend the procedure. Thanks!

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Removing black hair color

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Nov 21, 2007

Going back to natural...help
by: Beyond Barber

The reason most hairdressers don't recommend it is because it is a very, very, very hard process that requires lots of time, energy and knowledge. Listen to the pros. If your car engine blows up and you ask mechanics how to fix it they will give you a big price to do it right. It is why most people can't replace an engine and why most people can't turn fake black into cute natural brown. Get your grow out as long as you can stand it then get a cute and short cut and grow it out. That is the only option that doesn't cost hundreds of dollars and won't turn your hair a straw orange.

Nov 24, 2007

A few options...
by: Michelle

While it's true that this is a difficult process that can leave your hair depleted of protein and moisture, it IS possible.

Check out this page, which has instructions for a few different methods of removing hair color...

Hair Color Removal

Please read the advice thoroughly as there are some VERY important points which will have a great impact on your results.

Another option is to have a stylist foil in some highlights. That way, you're getting a lighter look to the hair without damaging all of it.

Hope this helps!

All the best,
Michelle
Editor, SHM.com

Jan 27, 2008

removing black hair color
by: Anonymous

You need to start with a 'bleach cocktail'. I'm not very familiar with drugstore brands, but you will need bleach.....a blond 'color' or 'dye' will not work. Mix the bleach according to the directions, and add shampoo. just enough to make the bleach managable. Wash your hair with it, this should take 10 min, at the very most. Keep a close eye on it, and once it's slightly lighter than the brown you are looking for, remove it. Make sure to condition your hair well.

The second step is to pick the brown you want, use half natural brown, and half ash brown. The ash will help cut out the orange tint.

My only concerne, is if you lighten your hair too much with the cocktail, the brown will not hold afterwards. You need pigment to hold pigment, so pay close attention while the cocktail is on.