Home Hair Color Fix

Home Hair Color Fix

Home hair color fix is once again the hot topic of the day. I get it, believe me I do, everyone wants to save money. But, home hair color only make the problems worse, as you will see from this Wednesday’s Q&A with Ask the Pro Stylist.

Whoop, whoop, it’s Hump Day, and time for another question and answer with Ask the Pro Stylist. This week’s query comes from Ruby who wrote in not too long ago with a question about removing dark hair dye naturally. She wanted to explain her story further as to why she needed a home hair color fix.

Hi Deirdre,

I have a question regarding how to remove dark hair dye. I read a similar answer to my question on your website but I would like to explain my situation with you.

A couple of months ago I decided to dye my hair red, I did it myself, but I didn’t use bleach. The color picked up really nice and I dyed it again when it was time (by myself). Then I went for a trim and since my red was faded again I let my hair stylist dye it there. Summer came along, and I wanted to go to the beach, go in swimming pools and all that good stuff but I knew that with red hair that wouldn’t be smart. So I thought, why not dye my hair a dark brown. So I went down to Sally’s and picked up a dark brown with 10v developer and as you probably already figured, it turned out a disaster! My hair looks BLACK and where it ISN’T black it’s faded red so there are patches of black and faded red. I’m stressing out because I’m a college student and I don’t have the money to pay a professional. Is there ANY way that I can at least lighten the dark brown/black, so Ican make it easier for my stylist to fix whenever I do have the money?

Thank You!

Trust me, I feel bad, and I know how costly it could be, but there isn’t an at home hair color fix that would not make it worse. Bottom line, it costs more to correct these mistakes than the money you save using at home hair color.

I responded to Ruby’s home hair color fix question as follows:

Hi Ruby,

Ok, so that makes more sense, however my answer is still the same. Here is why… no matter what you do at home, it will make it worse of your stylist. And to fix it will cost the same, whether you try to fix it yourself or not. There are some home remedies, like clarifying shampoos, lemon juice and even Dawn dish detergent that will fade the color (maybe) depending on how dark, but they will not remove color. And the more you use these, the dryer your hair will become, making conditioning treatments a necessity.

The general public thinks Sally Beauty sells professional products. It doesn’t. They sell separate components found in boxes. My best advice Ruby is to let your stylist do it now. It will be cheaper in the long run; that I can promise you.

She then wanted to know if her hair would need to be bleached, because this is something she doesn’t want to do.

I replied…Depending upon how dark it is and how often you have colored over it will determine what they will use. Be sure to be 100% honest and let them know everything…what brands, how often, how you did it, what color etc. This will help them decide what to use. They could use a dye remover product, every salon has their own they prefer, they could use a soap cap, which involves a diluted form of bleach, or just bleach if it is really stubborn. But don’t fear the bleach. If she is good, she will know how to watch it, will use a brand with conditioners, and apply a toner/gloss that will add a great color, shine and conditioner. Let me know how you make out please!

If you have a question similar to Ruby’s home hair color fix, please email me at DeirdreAHaggerty@gmail.com. Until then, happy styling!