How to wash out hair dye faster

Experimenting with hair color is fun. Whether you're looking to try out a bold new shade or simply enhance your natural color, semi-permanent hair dye will keep your style fresh. Best of all, it will do so without the damage or commitment that often accompanies permanent hair dye. However, when it comes to removing semi-permanent color, things can get tricky.

The Best Natural and Semi-Permanent Hair Dyes

To find out safe, easy, and effective solutions for undoing your dye job, we spoke with celebrity hairstylist and owner of Hair Addict Salon Michelle Cleveland and colorists Kaylee Benetua and Lionel Atzas at David Mallett Salon in New York City.

Keep scrolling for our expert-approved methods and tips for removing semi-permanent hair color.

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Removal Methods

Use a Clarifying Shampoo

Semi-permanent hair color is made of small molecules that can penetrate slightly under your hair cuticle, but not all the way into the center (or cortex) of your hair, Cleveland tells us. This means that the dye will eventually wash out on its own. Typically, it will last four to six weeks before fading. Still, there may come a time when you want results, stat. So if you're looking to speed up the process, cleansing with a strong clarifying shampoo will do the trick, says Cleveland.

"Even though [a clarifying shampoo is] meant to remove mineral buildup, such as chlorine and heavy styling products, it will see the direct dyes as the enemy and attempt to release them from your hair," explains Cleveland. Benetua agrees, adding that a clarifying shampoo can strip the hair of unwanted colors depending on the intensity of the color. "You can try putting clarifying shampoo all through wet hair and putting a plastic cap on for ten minutes, then rinse," instructs Cleveland.

11 Things to Know Before Dyeing Your Own Hair

See a Professional

In case you're not having any luck with a DIY solution, consider turning to the pros. Your colorist is trained in all things hair dye. "All situations are different, but one method your hair colorist can use is a color remover to remove any unwanted pigment," says Benetua. "Another option could be using lightener to lift any unwanted pigments, like foil highlights or balayage," she adds.

Aftercare

Even though clarifying shampoos are technically a safe alternative to, say, using chemicals to strip your hair of unwanted color, Cleveland says you'll still want to set aside time to follow up the clarifying shampoo with a deep conditioner or restorative hair mask. That's because in removing unwanted color, a clarifying shampoo will also take away the natural oils your hair requires to stay healthy, she points out.

"After washing with the shampoo mixture out, apply a generous amount of the repair mask and allow it to sit on your hair anywhere from five to 15 minutes, then rinse," instructs Cleveland. Her favorite treatment? Wella Fusionplex Intensive Repair Mask ($25), which can help restore hydration. As for Atzas, he recommends first using a super hydrating shampoo, such as David Mallet Shampoo No. 1 La'hydratation ($45). Then follow up with a mask, something like K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask ($75).

Preventative Measures

The number one way to avoid getting stuck with unwanted semi-permanent hair dye? Cleveland and Atzas agree: Don't try a new all-over color before first opting for a strand test. "Sometimes just adding a focal piece of hair with your favorite fun color is more than enough to make you realize it might not be for you," says Cleveland. Testing one strand before going head first (literally) is specifically important when you're going for a bold or vibrant color, adds Atzas. It will also give you an idea of how much the dye will damage your hair — if at all. "Although it is typically safe to go for a bold color on your hair, it is definitely higher maintenance and there's always a possibility of some damage," says Atzas.

There are also some other ways to prevent mistakes, like lightening your hair before adding bright color. "In most situations, the best method is to lighten the hair first to achieve any bright vivid tones like pink and purple," says Atzas. Cleveland even suggests trying out a wig in the color you are considering before going all-in on a new hair dye. She says some hair salons, including her own, even keep some on hand for clients to test out a color prior to their appointment.

If your hair dye has come out terribly wrong, you can thank your lucky stars that there are some natural and really good ways to get rid of the hair color. With these methods, you would not have to wait for a long time for the color to fade or the hair to grow out. As you might know, permanent hair dye can stay in the hair for at least 3 to 4 weeks or until new hair grows out, so if you absolutely cannot wait to get rid of the color till that time, then try these natural ways. These methods will work to remove permanent hair dye from hair naturally only if you have dyed your hair recently.

How to Remove Permanent Hair Dye from Hair Naturally

1. Anti Dandruff Shampoo with Baking Soda:

Pick a good anti-dandruff shampoo because it is stronger than regular shampoos and has a compound called selenium sulfide which helps to fade hair color faster. Baking soda is a potent cleansing agent. When baking soda can remove stains, it can definitely take down your hair color. Mix baking soda and anti-dandruff shampoo in equal parts, in whatever quantity you want. Shampoo your hair with this mixture, keep it on for 5 minutes, and then rinse off completely to fade the hair color quickly.

2. Vitamin C tablets with Hot Water:

This is Kim Kardashian’s own hack to remove hair dye. Crush a few vitamin C tablets (we can suggest Celin 500 mg tablets available at local pharmacies) and add it to your regular shampoo. Mix well both and apply it to the hair. Keep it for 20 minutes and rinse off until the water runs clear. Do this two times in a week to see your hair color fade quickly. The acidity of vinegar will take down the color from your hair.

3. Vinegar and Water:

Use equal parts of white vinegar with warm water. Apply this mixture on to hair and leave it there for 10 minutes. The natural vinegar will also help clear product buildup from your scalp. The acidic content will work on the hair dye and bring your hair back to its original state.

4. Dish Washing Soap with Shampoo:

Sounds scary right? But if you are desperate to get rid of hair dye from your hair, then this one is a good option. Mix 4 drops of a dish washing soap with two squirts of any shampoo. Mix well and apply on hair, work out a good lather, and rinse off completely till the water runs clear. Since dish wash soap can be harsh on your hair, remember to moisturize your hair well with coconut oil or olive oil later on, otherwise, you will be left behind with straw hair!

5. Baking Soda with Lemon Juice:

Take baking soda and lemon juice in equal measure and apply it to your hair. Let it sit in the hair for 5 minutes. Rinse your hair with water thoroughly. Baking soda’s bleaching properties and lemon’s acid nature can work together to bring down the hair dye.

6. Hydrogen Peroxide and water:

Though not completely natural, you can use hydrogen peroxide mixed with equal amount of water and apply it to hair to get rid of hair dye. Keep the hydrogen peroxide in hair for 10 minutes for it to work through hair. Rinse thoroughly afterwards.

7. Epsom Salt and Baking Soda:

Add equal parts of epsom salt and baking soda in warm water and spray it on to hair. Keep it on for 10 minutes and rinse off with later on to get rid of hair color. Repeat it at least twice a week.

8. Hot oil treatment:

With this treatment, you get two benefits – lustrous mane with the goodness of oil and also get rid of the hair color. Warm up a little coconut oil and massage your hair. This will also help you relax and also add a lustrous shine to your hair.

9. Lemon juice with water:

The acidic nature of lemon will strip the hair dye from your hair and also clear flaky dandruff, so that’s a two-in-one treatment for your hair.

10. Anti-dandruff shampoo frequently:

Most anti-dandruff shampoos have strong agents that can help you clear out hair dye from your hair faster. Do this thrice a week to see results.

11. Honey and Cinnamon:

Honey is a natural hair bleaching agent and when it’s combined with cinnamon it can lighten hair color really effectively. Mix ground cinnamon powder with just enough honey to make a paste out of it. Apply on to the hair evenly and keep it on for 2 hours. Rinse it off and condition. You would see that your hair color has lightened considerably after this treatment.

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How to Remove Permanent Hair Dye from Hair

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What is the fastest way to remove hair dye?

Products for stripping hair color at home.

Sulfur-based hair strippers. Sulfur-based hair strippers work by opening your hair's cuticle and breaking down the molecules of dye attached to your cortex so that it can be washed away. ... .

Clarifying shampoo. ... .

Vitamin C. ... .

Stripping hair color with baking soda..

How do you wash out hair dye after dying it?

Generally, you should rinse with warm or cool water until the water runs clear. Don't skip the step in many dye instructions that says to add a small amount of water and work the dye in your hair into a lather before rinsing. This can help distribute the color and make the dye easier to wash out.

Does hot water wash out hair dye faster?

Mistake number four: Avoid washing color-treated hair with hot water temperature. The heat opens the cuticle, and hot water will dry out your hair and wash away hair color. Instead, use cooler temperature water when washing your color-treated hair.