Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Go to the hairdresser
• Part 2 of 3: Using home remedies
• Part 3 of 3: Lightening dyed hair

Maybe you accidentally dyed your hair too dark or your natural hair color is a shade darker than you'd like. Regardless of the reason, there are both natural and chemical methods you can try to lighten your dark hair.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Go to the hairdresser

1. Talk about possible damage to your hair. Many people with darker hair have their hair bleached at a hairdresser or dyed a different color. Before making the decision to dye your hair, talk to your stylist about the possible damage to your hair.
   • If you want platinum blonde hair, then your hair will definitely get slightly damaged. A hairdresser may even refuse to bleach your hair platinum blonde if your hair has been previously dyed.The damage can be considerably greater.
   • Talk to your stylist about how you want to lighten your hair. Your stylist can assess how healthy your hair is at the moment and determine which dyeing treatment will damage your hair the least.
2. Leave your roots alone. Your hair around your scalp and hair follicles will be more damaged when you bleach or dye it. Consider letting your dyed hair grow out a little before dyeing your hair again. This allows you to help limit the damage.
3. Take extra care of your hair after it has been dyed. If you have your hair dyed at the hairdresser, you will have to take extra care afterwards. Ask your hairdresser how to properly care for your hair after dyeing.
   • Ask your stylist what moisturizing conditioners and other home treatments he or she recommends. Hair dye can make your hair drier than it normally does.
   • Consider using a primer on your hair before washing your hair. This remedy can help keep the water in so that the hair dye lasts longer in your hair.
   • Consider using a coconut oil or protein conditioner. These agents can help repair the damage caused by dyeing and bleaching.

Part 2 of 3: Using home remedies

1. Use vinegar and water. For some people, rinsing with vinegar and water helps to lighten the hair. Try mixing one part vinegar with six parts water. Then rinse your hair for 15 minutes. Apple cider vinegar may work better and smell good.
2. Put salt in your hair. Plain table salt can help lighten your hair color. Many people find that their hair has become lighter after swimming in salt water. Try adding one part salt to five parts water. Rinse your hair with this and let the mixture sit for 15 minutes. Then rinse and wash your hair as usual.
3. Crush up vitamin C tablets and add them to your shampoo. Vitamin C can lighten your hair and can even improve your hair's overall health. You can buy Vitamin C tablets at most drugstores and supermarkets. Take 8 or 9 tablets and crush them. You can do this by putting them in a plastic bag and then rolling them over with a rolling pin to get powder. Mix this powder with your shampoo. Use the shampoo as normal for the next few weeks and see if the mixture has an effect on your hair.
4. Put chopped rhubarb and water in your hair. Rhubarb is a plant with properties that can lighten dark hair naturally. Add 30 grams of chopped rhubarb to 500 ml of water. Bring the mixture to a boil and then let it cool. Strain out the pieces of rhubarb and use the water to rinse your hair. Let the rinse sit for 10 minutes. Then rinse the rinse out of your hair with clean water.
5. Try honey. If you don't want to use hair dye or chemically treat your hair, know that many people use honey as a natural lightening agent. Honey is very moisturizing but contains traces of hydrogen peroxide that can help lighten dark hair.
   • Mix a small amount of honey with water or vinegar before applying it to your hair. Honey is sticky and difficult to wash out of your hair, so it is best to dilute the honey before applying it to your hair.
   • Cover your hair with a mixture of honey and water or vinegar. Put on a shower cap and let the mixture sit overnight. Rinse the mixture out of your hair in the morning and see if it has worked.
6. Use lemon or lime juice. Citrus juices, such as lemon or lime juice, may lighten your dark hair. Try these juices if you want to lighten your hair.
   • You can add 60 ml of warm water to 240 ml of lemon juice. Put the mixture in a spray bottle and lightly spray your hair with it. Spray a little of the mixture into your hair every half hour and see if you notice a difference after a few days. Make sure to condition your hair regularly if you choose this remedy, as lemon juice can dry out your hair.
   • You can squeeze limes in warm water and pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Spray the mixture on your hair and cover your hair with a shower cap. Leave the mixture on for 30 minutes. Then rinse it out and see if you see a difference.
7. Treat your hair with chamomile tea. In some people, chamomile tea can also lighten hair. Prepare chamomile tea, let the tea cool and soak your hair with it. Make sure your hair gets as wet as possible. Wear a tight-fitting shower cap for 30 minutes, then rinse the tea from your hair.
8. Lighten your hair one shade with cinnamon. Cinnamon is a great way to lighten your hair naturally. Dampen and condition your hair. Then make a paste of cinnamon and water. Spread the paste in your hair, making sure to cover all strands of hair with it as much as possible. Put on a shower cap and let the paste sit overnight.
9. Use hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is a strong chemical that can lighten your hair. Be very careful when using hydrogen peroxide. Put some hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle and spray it evenly on your hair. If necessary, use barrettes to keep your hair out of the way so you can spray hard-to-reach strands of hair. Let the hydrogen peroxide sit in your hair for 30 minutes, then rinse it out with cool water.

Part 3 of 3: Lightening dyed hair

1. Use a clarifying shampoo. If your hair is dyed and you don't like the color, treat your hair with a clarifying shampoo as soon as possible. Purifying shampoos contain powerful surfactants that can remove dirt, chemicals and hair dye from your hair.
   • You can buy clarifying shampoo at most supermarkets and drugstores. Follow the instructions on the bottle when applying the clarifying shampoo into your hair.
   • A clarifying shampoo can dry out your hair. Make sure to condition your hair afterwards to avoid dry and brittle hair.
2. Remove semi-permanent hair dye with vitamin C powder and shampoo. If a clarifying shampoo doesn't work, you can remove semi-permanent hair dye by adding vitamin C powder to the shampoo you normally use. This can help lighten the color by removing some of the hair dye from your hair.
   • You can buy Vitamin C powder online or at a local supermarket. Mix one part vitamin C powder with 2 parts shampoo. Wet your hair and apply the shampoo. Then put on a shower cap. Wrap a towel around your neck to prevent dripping and let the mixture soak into your hair for about an hour.
   • When the hour is up, rinse your hair and let it dry. If this method works, 85% of the color will be gone. It is best to treat your hair with a conditioner afterwards to prevent it from drying out.
3. Call the helpline number listed on the hair dye box. If you dyed your hair at home, call the helpline number on the hair dye box. The employees on the phone receive questions from customers all the time. They may be able to give you helpful suggestions on how to get the dye out of your hair.
4. Use baking soda. Baking soda can remove chemicals from your hair. Adding baking soda to your shampoo or conditioner may help remove the chemicals in the hair dye. Compared to other methods, it probably takes a little longer for this method to work. Using baking soda once a week will lighten your hair over time.