Q&A for How to Lighten Dark Hair

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  • Question
    How long do you have to let bleach sit in your hair?
    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.
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    Generally, bleach doesn't need to sit on the hair for any longer than 45 minutes to an hour. It will stop processing after that time. Refer to the instructions that came with your bleach kit for the exact recommended time.
  • Question
    How can I lighten my hair naturally?
    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.
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    Sunlight naturally lightens hair. If you spend 1-4 hours out in the sun for a few weeks, you should notice a change in your hair's shade. Consider using honey or cinnamon to lighten you hair also.
  • Question
    Can you lighten your hair with box color?
    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.
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    If you don't have any dye on your hair, you can lighten your hair with box color. However, box colors aren't the safest method for lightening, due to many chemicals that are in them.
  • Question
    How well does the salt and water process work?
    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.
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    The salt and water process works differently for everyone -- better for some than others. It doesn't hurt to try it and see if it works for you, though.
  • Question
    I have really dark brown hair right now and want to lighten it to my natural color of dirty blonde. I don't want to use bleach, as I have damaged my hair with past dyeing. What would be best to use for my hair?
    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.
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    Since you have already "damaged your hair," you may want to stay away from the hydrogen peroxide and lemon juice methods to prevent further damage. It may be best for you to try other methods such as vitamin C or honey, instead.
  • Question
    How do I lighten semi-permanent 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.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    Semi-permanent colors stain the hair instead of changing it chemically, so they tend not not respond to traditional lightening methods. The best way to lighten a semi is to wash it away. Use a clarifying shampoo twice a week and massage it along the entire length of the hair shaft. This should speed up the fading process.
  • Question
    Will honey make my hair more on the dark brown side if I have black hair?
    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.
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    Honey is capable of lightening hair, as it has trace amounts of hydrogen peroxide in it. It should be diluted with water or vinegar prior to being applied to your hair.
  • Question
    Can I take my hair from dark to platinum?
    Gina Almona
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Gina Almona is the Owner of Blo It Out, a New York City-based hair salon. With over 20 years of beauty training experience, Gina's work has been featured in People Magazine, Time Out New York, and Queens Scene. She has been able to keep a fresh perspective in the industry by demonstrating and participating in trade shows and workshops like the International Beauty Show. She received her cosmetology training from the Long Island Beauty School, Astoria.
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    If you're trying to lighten your dark hair, it could take a few color services, depending on the level of lightness you want to achieve, especially if your hair is pre-colored.
  • Question
    What should you tell your stylist before they color your hair?
    Gina Almona
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Gina Almona is the Owner of Blo It Out, a New York City-based hair salon. With over 20 years of beauty training experience, Gina's work has been featured in People Magazine, Time Out New York, and Queens Scene. She has been able to keep a fresh perspective in the industry by demonstrating and participating in trade shows and workshops like the International Beauty Show. She received her cosmetology training from the Long Island Beauty School, Astoria.
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    Tell your stylist if your hair is natural or if it has been pre-colored. If it's been pre-colored, let them know how long it's been since you last had it done, and whether you used a box dye. This is important because the stylist will have to fight unwanted pigment to achieve their goal.
  • Question
    What is the fastest way to lighten a too-dark shade?
    Community Answer
    Honey with water works really well.
  • Question
    Has anyone tried the hydrogen peroxide method?
    Community Answer
    It works great! I have dark brown hair and lightened it to dirty blond after 3 treatments.
  • Question
    Can I sleep without the shower cap when using the honey?
    Karianna Wood
    Community Answer
    It will make your pillow sticky, which you probably wouldn't want.
  • Question
    Can egg lighten hair?
    Community Answer
    Eggs haven't shown any results for lightening hair, but they have shown results for making hair stronger and shinier.
  • Question
    How do I lighten dark hair after using non-permanent dye?
    Community Answer
    Crush vitamin C tablets and mix the powder with Head and Shoulders shampoo, one tablespoon of honey, and a few drops lemon or lime juice. Wet your hair and lather the mixture in, then put on a shower cap and let the lather sit for about an hour. Rinse your hair out and use a good conditioner. You may need to do this a few times.
  • Question
    What product can I use to bring out the red tones in my hair?
    Community Answer
    Use beet juice. Just let it soak in water and then strain it so all of the juice comes out. You can also crush it and squeeze it like a lemon. It has lots of pigmentation in it.
  • Question
    How often should I use the honey method if I want to lighten my black hair to a dark brown shade?
    Community Answer
    Once or twice a week, depending on how well the treatment goes and how light your desired shade is.
  • Question
    Is the honey treatment permanent?
    Community Answer
    Any hair lightening treatment is permanent until your hair grows back with your natural color.
  • Question
    I have a very dark brown hair near the roots, then at the tips, its like a medium brown-kinda dark brown hair. Can I dye without bleaching?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can dye your hair, as long as it is in the med brown level.
  • Question
    Will dandruff shampoo help lighten hair?
    Community Answer
    It will not lighten your natural hair color, but will fade the color of dyed hair.
  • Question
    How can I lighten my hair. which has been dyed a dark color?
    Community Answer
    It eventually lighten ups by shampooing. Try shampooing your hair on a daily basis, and you'll see the dye getting lighter.
  • Question
    What is the best method to turn my black hair into a vibrant dark brown?
    Community Answer
    Use the hydrogen peroxide method. It will lead to your desired color. Just don't use too much or else it could be too light or ruin your hair.
  • Question
    What is the quickest way to lighten my hair?
    Community Answer
    Chemically, the fastest way is bleaching your hair. However, the easiest way is to mix lemon juice, olive oil, and hydrogen peroxide. If you use this mixture, use a moisturizing hair mask or deep condition afterward to repair your hair.
  • Question
    What's the quickest way to lighten my dark brown hair color without chemicals?
    Community Answer
    Lemon juice and sun is probably the quickest way to lighten your hair without bleach.
  • Question
    Can this make my hair fall out?
    Community Answer
    Bleaching your hair can cause hair loss while you are brushing it, but this method still works and should not harm your hair.
  • Question
    Should I do this every day or once a week?
    Community Answer
    It's probably best to do it once a week with a deep conditioning in between sessions so your hair does not get damaged.
  • Question
    My hair is dark and gray around my face. My dye turned the gray blue/purple. What can I do?
    Community Answer
    Mix apple cider vinegar, salt, and lemon juice. Spray it in your hair. Stay in the sun for 1 hour, and then rinse it out. This should make your hair lighter/blonder.
  • Question
    If I mix them all together, will it make a difference?
    Community Answer
    You might experience more dryness and breakage in your hair, but that's about it.
  • Question
    I have black hair, but I want them to be brown. How do I do this?
    Community Answer
    Use hydrogen peroxide. Black hair is usually thick, so if that is your case, peroxide is the best. Even though it is damaging, it is the most effective. Condition your hair regularly to lessen the damage.
  • Question
    Will the cinnamon method give instant results for dark hair?
    Community Answer
    It won't lighten your hair instantly, but it will give it an earthy shade in about a week.
  • Question
    Can you dye dark hair without bleaching it?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but unless you use a dye made for dark-colored hair, the color will come out very subtle, if at all. Whether or not you dyed your hair that dark in the first place will also make a different. For more information, read How to Dye Dark Hair Without Bleach .
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