How to Get Rid of Permanent Hair Dye Fast, According to Colorists

If you’ve mastered the art of dying your hair and you get the color exactly how you like it each time, consider yourself lucky. If you’re reading this with freshly dyed hair that you don’t necessarily love, you’re probably considering yourself anything but. While a hair-dye mishap is not ideal, don’t panic. There are a few things you can try if you’re wondering how to get rid of permanent hair dye fast.

Whether you’re in a hurry to get hair dye out before an event or you simply don’t want to go another day with a hair color you despise, it’s important to avoid frantically trying every method you find on TikTok; you can easily damage your hair in the process. You’ll want to push the panic aside, as you probably have a few products in your pantry or your bathroom that will help strip your hair of the color.

Ahead, hair-color experts explain what to do when you don’t like your hair color and what products you can use to strip your hair of the dye.

How to Wash Out Your Hair Color Faster

So, what’s the first thing you should do when you have a hair-color mishap you’re eager to reverse? The pros want you to stay calm. “So many hair mistakes happen in a panic, so if you hate the color, take a breath first and make a plan,” hairstylist Beau Dieda tells POPSUGAR.

You’ll want to gather some products you probably already have in your kitchen and your bathroom to help make the process of getting rid of hair color as seamless as possible without damaging your hair.

“When wanting to wash out hair color faster, it’s helpful to have supplies such as a clarifying shampoo, deep-conditioning treatment, a hair mask, and a wide-tooth comb on hand,” hair colorist Reece Walker says. These products will help remove the dye easier.

Using a Clarifying Shampoo to Remove Hair Dye

You can try using a clarifying shampoo to wash out your hair dye faster. “This type of shampoo is designed to remove impurities from the hair and is your first line of defense when you need to strip the hair,” Dieda says. “This will usually take the hair down at least one level of color if a demi- or semipermanent color was used.”

Dieda says if your hair was dyed with permanent dye or you’re in a rush to get the color out faster, try using a safe color stripper like Malibu C Professional’s CPR (color pigment remover). “It releases unwanted pigment from oxidized hair color and removes pigment up to three levels without removing the natural pigment of hair,” he says. The antioxidant vitamin complex in the product helps preserve the integrity of the hair.

When you’re using a clarifying shampoo, Walker wants you to make sure you’re using warm water and to gently massage your scalp through to the ends to help break down the dye molecules. One wash may give you the correction you were looking for, but if it doesn’t, you can try again the next time you wash your hair.

Natural Ways to Get Rid of Permanent Hair Dye Fast

Dieda also suggests grabbing a few natural remedies from your pantry to lighten hair color. “Vinegar – especially apple cider vinegar – is known to naturally fade the color,” he says. “This remedy can be used two times a day. The acid in the vinegar helps to break down the unwanted color.”

To do this at home, you’ll want to grab vinegar, water, and a mixing bowl. You should mix one part vinegar with two parts water. “Typically, I would shampoo before this then let the mixture sit on the hair for up to half an hour. You will rinse with cold water, then condition with a mask or a heavy conditioner as the vinegar is drying,” Dieda says.

While you may see some improvement with this method, Dieda wants you to remember not to overdo it. “While you can try the vinegar rinse two times a day, don’t try so many at once that you leave your hair irreparably dry.”

How to Use Baking Soda to Remove Hair Dye

If you’ve heard of people using baking soda to help strip color from their hair, they’re onto something. “Baking soda can be used to help remove hair dye, as it has natural exfoliating properties that can help break down the dye molecules,” Walker says.

Dieda says that mixing equal parts baking soda and water to create a paste is a safe method to get hair dye out of your hair in a pinch. “Start applying this into damp hair and brushing it through [with] a wide-tooth comb to ensure it’s evenly distributed,” he says. Dieda suggests leaving the paste in your hair for up to 30 minutes before rinsing it out with warm water. You can repeat this process as needed to help fade the hair color.

“This may leave the hair feeling dry, so you will want to do a deep condition after,” Dieda says. “Overall, this is a great natural home remedy that most people have on hand.”

Caring For Your Hair After Removing Dye

No matter which method you try to remove hair color, you’ll want to ensure you’re keeping your hair nourished and moisturized with lots of conditioner and hydrating products. It’s enduring a lot and will need a little extra love.