Lighten Eyebrows Color

Q: Yesterday I had my eyebrows tinted along with waxing at the salon. I requested just a shade darker than my natural very light brown color that was barely noticeable. I was horrified when I looked in the mirror. They are almost jet black. I used a stain remover to get the excess dye off my skin, which helped some with the Halloween-ish appearance.

I cannot believe I allowed myself to be talked into this procedure by the salon owner and vow never to return. Please help, what can I do to lighten them? I understand now after researching on the internet that using permanent hair dyes near the eyes is dangerous and can cause severe chemical damage or even blindness. I also read color removers can do the same, but I will be very careful. I am embarrassed by my attempt to make an improvement, please suggest something!

A: This is a very common salon mishap, and it is entirely fixable. Because your eyebrows were just tinted, the color is at its absolute darkest right now. As you wash your face over the next few days, the dye will naturally begin to fade on its own.

You are entirely right to be cautious. Standard hair color removers and scalp dyes are highly dangerous near the eyes and should never be used on eyebrows. Because your skin was also just waxed, it is highly sensitive right now, so we want to avoid anything too abrasive.

Before you try anything harsh, here are the safest and most effective ways to accelerate the fading process at home:

The Oil Breakdown Method

Facial tints are easily broken down by heavy oils. Apply a generous amount of coconut oil, castor oil, or olive oil to your eyebrows using a cotton swab. Let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes to break down the dye molecules, then gently wipe it away with a warm washcloth. You can repeat this a few times a day.

The Clarifying or Anti-Dandruff Shampoo Method

If the oil isn't lifting enough color, you can use a clarifying or anti-dandruff shampoo. These formulas are designed to deeply cleanse and strip away residues, which makes them excellent at fading fresh dye.

• Mix a drop of the shampoo with equal parts water.

• Use a clean spoolie brush (a clean mascara brush) or a cotton swab to gently work the mixture into your brow hairs. Avoid using a toothbrush, as the bristles are too stiff and can tear the sensitive skin underneath your brows.

• Tilt your face forward over the sink while rinsing so the soapy mixture runs straight down, rather than into your eyes. Keep your eyes tightly squeezed shut during the process, as anti-dandruff shampoo contains zinc pyrithione or selenium sulfide, which sting the eyes intensely. You should see noticeable fading after two or three applications.

What to Avoid

• Do not use household hydrogen peroxide. While first-aid hydrogen peroxide (3%) is a bleaching agent, using it by itself on a cotton pad is highly inefficient at breaking down professional artificial dye molecules without an alkaline activator. More importantly, it is not safe for your eyes; getting 3% peroxide in your eye causes immediate, severe stinging and can damage the cornea.

• Do not use standard hair color removers. The chemical fumes alone can severely irritate your eyes, and any accidental spill poses a massive risk to your eyesight.

If your brows are still too dark after a few days of using the oil and shampoo methods, do not attempt any further chemical DIY fixes. Instead, visit a different, highly rated esthetician. They can safely apply a professional brow bleach or lightener specifically formulated for the delicate eye area to lift the shade back to your natural brown.

©Hairfinder.com

See also:

Is it dangerous to bleach your eyebrows?

Eyelash and eyebrow tinting services

Should your hair color match your eyebrows?