Q&A for How to Remove Black Hair Dye

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Can permanent hair color be removed?

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, but it takes bleach or a specially designed color remover. If your hair is very dark it may take a few separate treatments to remove all the color.

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Question

How do I remove hair dye 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

You can try a clarifying shampoo to remove some of the dye. You can also try mixing baking soda and shampoo.

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Question

How can I remove black hair dye from my skin?

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

Before you get the skin wet, massage in some soap. You can also try alcohol or even a mixture of soap and alcohol.

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Question

Can you bleach dyed black 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, but only if the dye is a permanent color that contains no direct dyes. If the color has staining ingredients like indigo, the bleach won't work.

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Question

Can you remove permanent black hair dye?

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, but it may be a complicated process. Removing the color isn't a matter of throwing another color on top of the black. Some people use bleach and shampoo. However, a professional can do it by safely breaking the chemical color bonds in your hair, all without you having to risk your hair falling out. Afterwards, getting your hair to the color you actually want may involve doing some highlights, lowlights, and even a glaze.

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Can Head and Shoulders remove black hair dye?

Community Answer

Yes. That shampoo contains sulfates, which can help remove the dye.

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Question

I've been dyeing my hair black for 15 years. I recently tried to switch to a brown color, but it's still black. What do I do?

Community Answer

The color is probably really soaked in there since you have been dyeing it for so long. I recommend getting it stripped at a salon or bleaching it before you apply brown again, but it's best to consult a professional so you don't damage your hair.

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Question

When it says to add four parts to one part, how much would that be?

Community Answer

It depends on how much you need. But for example, if you used 1/4 cup of one water, you'd need a full cup of honey. Just make sure you use four times the amount of honey to water.

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Question

I have been dying my hair black for 10 years. When I stripped it, the roots went white and the rest were orange. What should I do?

Consulting Criminal

Community Answer

That is the best you are going to get without badly damaging it. Give it a couple of days with heavy conditioning, then if you want, you can bleach it to make it lighter.

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Question

I don't want to damage my hair by bleaching it. What is the best way to remove permanent black hair dye from my naturally blonde hair?

Community Answer

Without using any bleach, you would have to simply grow it out, as black hair dye is very hard to remove.

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Question

How do I remove permanent hair dye?

Community Answer

Hair stripper. Just buy a pack of hair stripper to take the color out.

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Question

How many times in a week can you process your hair?

Community Answer

Weekly processing can damage your hair. Once a month is really the most you should be dying your hair.

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Question

What color will it go back to if my natural hair is blonde?

Community Answer

It depends on the color of hair dye that you used and what hair dye you are going to use to bleach or lighten your hair.

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Question

Can I frost over dyed black hair?

Community Answer

It is possible, but it may take a few times before you get the results you want.

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Question

I get my hair colored in a salon with permanent black hair dye. Now I want to get it stripped so I can have the black roots and silver on top. How long will this take?

Community Answer

If it is permanent, it will take a long time and many treatments to get it redone so maybe either use temporary next time or temporary silver.

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Question

I dyed my hair semi permanent black. I'm blonde. How do I get this out without damaging my hair?

Community Answer

If it is semi permanent you should start to see it wash out. Otherwise, the only thing to do is bleach your hair, which shouldn't cause much damage, provided you use the correct chemicals and condition well. Have it professionally done if you're concerned.

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Question

I tried to dye the ends of my hair back to brown, but they turned black. How do I get them back to brown?

Community Answer

Dye it a lighter color like dirty blond or light brown, or just wait for it to grow out.

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Question

I used baking soda and anti-dandruff shampoo to try get my black out, but it hasn't worked. Should I use bleach?

Community Answer

Yes, but keep in mind that black becomes red/orange when bleaching. So you'd have to use a high cream developer to get your hair to a light color before dyeing it again your natural color. This is probably best done at a salon.

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Question

If I use a half a cup of honey, how much water would I use?

Community Answer

Use a quarter cup of water. You don't want the honey to get too watered down, so it's easy to spread through your hair.

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Question

I've been box dying my hair black and want it back to my natural blonde color. I went to the salon, and they just put blonde highlights in, but I hate it. Should I try and remove the black color?

Crazymind

Community Answer

Try washing out the dye with a mix of baking soda and dandruff shampoo (mix the dame amount of both). Use this like a normal hairmask and leave it in for 7 minutes. Use a hydration conditioner afterwards. If the dye isn’t completely out, wait for two days and try again. Repeat until no dye runs out while washing of the hairmask.

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