Tried & Tested: 5 Ways to Remove & Strip Hair Dye

Whether you’re searching for a remedy for a botched D.I.Y ‘do, or you’re simply bored of your look, scroll for our 5 colour removal hacks…

Although we might hate to admit it – our hair is important to our happiness. A fresh new colour can either leave you glowing with confidence… or cancelling future plans until it grows out.

So, if you’re a victim of a box-dye-gone-wrong, or just simply bored of your look – it’s time to change it up ASAP.

But before eyeing up your next batch of dye, it’s important to give your locks a reset. Stripping any remaining unwanted colour from your last transformation will create a blank canvas for your next iconic look.

Whether it’s a deep chestnut brown or electric blue, stripping hair dye can be daunting. With so many different methods shared online, which ones actually work? We tested some of the most popular methods to answer your hair prayers.

Clarifying Shampoo

Starting things off with a fan favourite, clarifying shampoo is one of the go-to methods for stripping colour – and for good reason.

We hair dye enthusiasts know that, if you want to lock in your colour for as long as possible, it’s essential you avoid strong shampoos like the plague. Therefore, it totally makes sense to reverse that logic when you’re looking to remove your dye.

Clarifying shampoos are powerful, deep cleansers designed to remove built-up dirt and products from your hair – including colour. Because these shampoos are so strong, it’s advised to use them no more than once a week to avoid drying out your hair. 

Keep in mind that colour stripping is a gradual process and takes time. Temporary dyes may start to fade after 1-2 washes, but more permanent colour could take around 12 washes - and even then, it likely won’t fade completely. 

So, if you’re wanting to get rid of your colour quickly, clarifying shampoo may not be your best bet. 

Some clarifying shampoos are even colour-safe and won’t strip colour – so, make sure to check the label before you buy!

Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

Anti-dandruff shampoos work in a similar way to clarifying shampoos. They use an ingredient called zinc pyrithione, which fades colour over time.

The difference is that anti-dandruff shampoos are less effective. but they are mostly fine to use as your daily cleanser. So, if you’re in a rush to fade your hair colour, this may be more appealing than clarifying shampoo – as you can reapply more often.

We tried the Head & Shoulders 2in1 Classic Clean Shampoo and rinsed the hair around 15 times. 

The results? We saw a little bit of a lift. But we can imagine that with more washes, the fade will be much more apparent.

Many anti-dandruff shampoos – like the Head & Shoulders 2in1 – are now colour-safe, so make sure to avoid these!

While not a quick fix, using a clarifying or anti-dandruff shampoo to lift colour is a much safer and healthier way to transform your shade compared with bleach or colour remover.

Vitamin C Tablets

We’ve all heard of taking vitamin C tablets for a general health boost. But have you heard of using them for hair dye removal? 

If you mix these with shampoo and leave in for approximately 20 minutes, the acid (supposedly) works to break down the dye and gradually fades your colour.

To cover the whole head, we used around 30 tablets (which aren’t exactly cheap), and we were left with little to no lift. 

Safe to say, this method is a bit of a fail! 

Home Remedies*

If your current hair colour has you hiding from the outside world, try these home remedies using only ingredients from your kitchen.

One option is baking soda, which has alkaline substances to help remove the unwanted colour. Mix a teaspoon with some lemon and a small amount of water to create a paste. Let it sit in your hair for around 20 minutes and then rinse out.

You can also dilute white vinegar in warm water and leave it in your hair for 5-10 minutes before rinsing. If this doesn’t work, repeat and leave it in a little longer. 

It’s worth noting that these methods are best for semi-permanent dyes and aren’t always reliable for fading colour evenly or effectively – so, try these at your own risk!

At-Home Hair Colour Remover*

At-home hair colour remover can be picked up at most pharmacies and beauty retailers, and is less damaging than other products due to its lack of bleach and ammonia. Ideal, right?

But before rushing to your local Boots, we have to pre-warn you that this stuff smells BAD. Plus, we found that the results were very underwhelming - with barely any colouring being removed.

We found that an extra-strength formula was necessary to see a noticeable difference. But this also came with some damage, leaving the hair feeling stringy and lacklustre. 

It's a no from us...

A Bleach Wash

If you’re looking for a dye remover that’s a little stronger - but less damaging than bleaching - this method might be for you. 

Diluting bleach powder with shampoo will give you a faster fix and lift dark hues.

If you’re looking to give it a test run, we’ll give you the heads up that this hack may result in a slightly brassy finish.

Professional Colour Correction

For those who have tried it all, leaving your hair in the hands of a knowledgeable stylist is often the wisest move. 

It may cost considerably more than our DIY tricks, but a professional can give you a realistic idea of what’s achievable, depending on the condition of your hair.

Whether your hair has been over-processed, or you’ve gone a little bit overboard on the black box dye, a visit to the salon will give you the best chance of saving your tresses.

Once you’ve achieved your dream colour, why not add some luxurious length and volume with clip-in hair extensions from Milk & Blush? Perfect for those glamorous occasions, use our free Shade Match to pair our products perfectly with your new locks!

*only recommended for natural hair - not extensions