Q&A for How to Lighten Dyed Hair

Return to Full Article

Coming soon

Add New Question

Question

How can you lighten your hair naturally?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Lemon juice and honey are gentle and effective lightening agents. Vinegar will also add natural highlights.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 25 Helpful 101
Question

Can you lighten your hair with box color?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

You can lighten your hair with box dye only if it hasn't been previously colored. Follow the instructions on the box.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 13 Helpful 15
Question

Can you use toner on dark hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Toner is translucent and won't show up on dark hair colors. It is designed specifically for use on light hair.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 6 Helpful 6
Question

Can you use bleach on dyed hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Yes, dyed hair is the most common type to be bleached. Once you've dyed hair with permanent color, bleach is the only way to go lighter.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 11 Helpful 11
Question

I used a red wine, and it turned out darker than I wanted. How can I lighten it up?

Ashley Adams
Professional Hair Stylist
Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.

Ashley Adams

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

You can either follow the steps above, purchase a color removal product from your local beauty supply store (such as Sally's), or try a soap cap.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 9 Helpful 18
Question

How do I get blue out of a titanium semi permanent?

Ashley Adams
Professional Hair Stylist
Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.

Ashley Adams

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

You can use an orange based toner to cancel out blue tones. Typically, you should use the opposite color on the color wheel.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 8 Helpful 10
Question

I dyed my hair a medium brown and would like to add a few blonde highlights. It is super short. How can I accomplish this?

Ashley Adams
Professional Hair Stylist
Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.

Ashley Adams

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

If your hair is too short to foil for highlights, you can try the shower cap method instead.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 13 Helpful 7
Question

How can you lighten your hair naturally?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Yes, you can lighten hair naturally in various ways. Some of the most commonly used ways for lightening hair naturally include: Sunshine, lemon juice, vinegar, swimming, tea, etc. These and many more ways you will find explained in more detail here: How to Lighten Your Hair Naturally .

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 9
Question

Can you use bleach on dyed hair?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

You can bleach dyed hair. It can be tricky to get it right, so it’s recommended that you talk to your hairstylist first. Also, consider the state of your hair and whether bleaching it after already dyeing it is going to harm your hair. Instructions for bleaching hair can be found here: How to Bleach Your Hair .

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 4 Helpful 4
Question

Can you lighten your hair with box color?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Yes, you can lighten your hair using box color dye but only if your hair has not already been chemically dyed––this includes semi-permanent, tints and henna. If your hair has no such treatments, then the box dye can lighten it. It is usually recommended that you seek to dye no more than two shades lighter than your original color but read the package instructions for other advice.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
Question

Can you use toner on dark hair?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Toner neutralizes the orange and yellow tones in hair. It won’t change your natural hair color if you have brown or dark hair but it will tone down oranges and yellows that have emerged as a result of a bad dye job.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 0
Question

Will lemon juice lighten dyed hair?

Community Answer

It depends on the amount that you put in, and how long you are in the sun for. Do some research before trying it out.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 25
Question

I dyed my hair from dirty blonde to a darker brown color. I want to lighten as much as possible without damaging my hair. What do I do?

Community Answer

Use lightest ash blond you can find but without bleach.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 10 Helpful 38
Question

Will my hair turn orange using any of these methods?

Community Answer

Using the hydrogen-peroxide spraying method may cause your hair to turn orange if you have dyed your hair a dark-brown color or black. It also may cause an orange pigment to show up if you leave it in for too long.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 11
Question

I used a semi permanent black dye about 8 weeks ago. Is it safe to lighten it now?

Community Answer

It should be fine, seeing as most hair dye brands recommend recoloring after only 4-6 weeks. Just always be careful when bleaching/lightening your hair. Remember to deep condition, go easy on heat tools, and only lighten a little at a time or as much as your hair can stand it.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 5 Helpful 12
Question

Will my hair turn orange using the baking soda method if I used hair color 8G?

Community Answer

No it wouldn't, since the baking soda and the peroxide have different chemicals. The baking soda has a different reaction, so it'll be perfectly safe to leave it a little longer.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 16 Helpful 27
Question

Is it safe to put the baking soda method on all of my hair? My hair has been growing out for a couple months and I want to speed up the process, but I don't want to mess up my natural color.

Community Answer

Baking soda won't change the natural hair color, it will only very subtly change the dyed.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 7 Helpful 7
Question

Today I dyed my black hair with medium matte blonde, but it doesn't seem to be show very much. I want to lighten up. How do I lighten up my hair color?

Community Answer

You will need to see a professional colorist for this, someone who specializes in color and has experience in lifting out black. This is not an easy thing to do yourself.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 13 Helpful 10
Question

I dyed my hair a dark blond violet copper last month. My natural hair is a 6/7 brown. I'd love to dye my hair a 6.45, but I'd prefer not to bleach it. Is this possible?

Community Answer

You can either buy a hair color which is lighter or you can go to a salon who will lighten it without bleach.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 2
Question

I had my hair colored and asked for it to be a medium blonde. When blown dry it was a medium ash blonde. Anything I can do myself?

Community Answer

Put lemon juice mixed with conditioner on your hair for about 30 minutes. This will cut out the ash nicely.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 1
Question

Colored hair first auburn, then dark brown and now it's too dsrk. How can I lighten it without having a red tint to it?

Community Answer

Try spraying lemon juice on your hair mixed with a bit of water and then letting it dry in your hair in the sun. Once your hair is all dried, take a shower and wash it out! It may take a couple of applications of repeating the mixture over a few days, but it does lighten. So will using hydrogen peroxide but get instructions for using it first.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

I have been using a semi-permanent hair color for over a year. I have graying hair. I would like to remove the dye to see how the gray looks, is this possible?

Community Answer

A color stripper would be your only option, however they don't always work and I'm unsure how well it would work with semi-permanent. The other choice would be to just let your roots grow out and see what they look like.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

I have dark brown hair that I am lightening to make rainbow-colored. I was thinking of doing a blonde box color beforehand. Would it be damaging to only wait a couple of days before adding the colors?

Community Answer

I would suggest you wait at least a week in between dye treatments, but it's totally up to you. If your hair is very healthy, there's a chance you won't suffer much or any damage.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

I just dyed my hair bluish and it appears darker than what I had expected. What should I do?

Community Answer

Try methods 1 and 2 in the article. A clarifying shampoo should help lighten in within a few washes.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

I colored my hair, and it's too dark. How can I lighten it from black to a brown shade?

Community Answer

You can purchase a color stripper or color stripping shampoo from a beauty store that will help remove pigment from your hair.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

If I bleached my hair twice to lighten my black hair and then colored it, but didn't like the result, what should I do to lighten it?

Crazymind

Community Answer

Try hair dye remover or home remedy dye fading mixes (like the dandruff shampoo and soda method). Avoid bleaching it again, though. It will dry out your hair too much and may cause breakage.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

How long should I wait before I re-dye my hair?

Findkrihere

Community Answer

You should wait a month for retouching, and then only if you need it.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

In method 3, Applying a Soap Cap, what is meant by applying bleach? What is bleach -- is that a hair product?

Community Answer

Yes, hair bleach differs from regular household/cleaning bleach. Hair bleach is specifically for lightening hair and can be purchased online or at a local beauty shop. Beware, it can be damaging!

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

I dyed my hair blond, then dyed it ash brown. Can I use developer to go back to blond?

Community Answer

I'd recommend using a color remover, such as color B4, which strips out the dye.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 0
Question

What would be a good dye color for someone with olive skin?

Community Answer

I'd recommend a caramel or honey color. I have olive skin too, and these colors look great on me.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 0