Stripping Hair Color

Dyed hair
Photo: DC Studio/Shutterstock
Q: I want to go back to my natural hair color, which is dark brown mixed with lots of gray. Can my dyed color be stripped off, or do I have to do it the hard way and let it grow out? I really don't want to wait for it to grow out since the dyed color is much lighter than my natural shade.
 
A: This is one of the most common misconceptions people have about how hair color actually works, so you're definitely not alone in thinking this way. The reality is quite different from what many people expect, and understanding the science behind hair coloring can help you make the best decision for your situation.
 
When you lighten your hair from a darker natural color to a lighter shade, the process isn't simply adding a coat of color on top like painting a wall. Instead, the lightening process actually breaks down and disperses the natural color molecules (called melanin) that exist inside each hair strand. This chemical process permanently alters the internal structure of your hair by removing pigment, which is why naturally dark hair can have a lighter color.
 
Many people imagine that lighter hair color works like an opaque coating that sits on the surface of the hair shaft, similar to how paint covers a wall. If this were true, you could theoretically "strip" it off just like removing paint with a chemical stripper. However, the only hair color formulas that work this way are temporary colors, which wash out after just a few shampoos. These temporary products never provide any lightening effect on darker hair because they can't penetrate the hair shaft to break down the existing pigment.
 
Because of how the lightening process fundamentally changes your hair's structure, you cannot simply strip off your current color and magically return to your original natural shade. The melanin that gave your hair its natural dark brown color has been chemically broken down and removed. What you would likely end up with after using a color remover is a very pale, brassy, or ashen-looking beige color.
 
However, you do have several options that don't require the patience of growing out your color completely. One of the most practical approaches is to use a semi-permanent or demi-permanent hair color that closely matches your natural dark brown shade. These gentler formulas deposit color without further lightening the hair and can camouflage your new growth while your natural color gradually grows in. Semi-permanent colors typically last between eight to twelve shampoos and fade gradually rather than leaving a harsh line of demarcation.
 
If you're dealing with significant gray mixed in with your natural brown, you might also want to consider embracing a transitional color that's somewhere between your current light shade and your natural color. This can make the growing-out process less noticeable and give you time to decide whether you want to continue covering the gray or let it show naturally.
 
Keep in mind that if you've been lightening your hair regularly, it may have sustained some damage that affects how it accepts new color. Damaged hair can absorb color unevenly, leading to patchy or unpredictable results. In such cases, it's often worth consulting with a hairdresser who can assess your hair's condition and recommend the best approach for your specific situation.
 
©Hairfinder.com
 
See also:
 
How to color hair
 
How fast hair grows
 
How to get back to your natural hair color