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When we escape from a horrible hair color nightmare, the first option we turn to is the internet.
In addition to bleach, one more product will appear at the top of your searches: bleach.
And as tempting as it sounds, these products come with specific techniques and different precautions that you need to follow.
For now, let's break down the different facts about hair dye removers and answer that question that's been bothering you right now: "Does dye remover damage your hair?"
The wonders of hair dyes
Before we reboot, let's talk about the root of it all: hair dye.
So that we can do a breakdown of the things to understand about hair dye removers and what exactly they do, we first need to know about the different aspects of hair and hair dyes.
The hair strand is made up of three layers: the cuticle, the cortex, and the medulla. and the most commontypes of hair dyeThey are permanent, semi-permanent, semi-permanent, and temporary.
OcuticleIt is the outermost layer of the hair, made of overlapping cells similar to fish scales that protect the hair shaft. This part is where you will findtemporary tintssitting Most color pigments coat each cuticle and stay there until you wash them off.
same goes forsemi-permanent dyes. It has larger dye molecules that only sit on the surface of the hair, but it uses a more powerful formula than temporary ones. This allows the color to last longer.
Deeper in the slope is where you will see theCortex. It is the thickest part of the hair and is responsible for its texture, strength, color and shape. It also protects the innermost layer that contains moisture, which is themarrow.
permanent hair dyesThey tend to penetrate the hair cuticles and penetrate into the cortex, where the artificial pigment molecules are dispersed and sealed. Yes, it interferes with the original structure of the hair to change color for longer.
semi-permanent dyes, on the other hand, do both. Its formula is similar to permanent dyes, but it is a little softer. Due to this, only a percentage enters the crust, and the rest only covers the surface.
When does the situation call for hair dye removers?
Now that you know the magnitude of the changes your hair undergoes during coloring, we can begin to understand why a bleaching treatment is necessary.
Hair color removers are the ones to look for if:
- the color of your hair did not turn out as planned or
- you are preparing your hair for a color change
The way color removers work is similar to typical hair dyes. It passes through the hair shaft and knocks out the artificial pigments in your hair without touching your natural color.
If you're wondering what makes color removers different from bleach, check outThis article.
How to use color removers
1. Check the current state of your hair.
Coloring your hair can be traumatizing to the strands, so before using a color remover, you should verify that the current condition of your hair can withstand another chemical treatment.
Color removers can draw the remaining moisture out of your hair. So if your hair looks vulnerable and badly damaged, don't compromise your health and don't rush the bleaching process.
2. Read the instructions.
Color removers may serve the same purpose, but are formulated differently.
Read the instructions or manuals to ensure you get the most benefits and the fewest unwanted effects from your chosen product.
This procedure requires accuracy and precision, so do what the package says. Even if it seems "okay" to skip some steps, they can have a powerful impact on the overall process.
3. Protect your skin and the environment.
Ironically, hair dye removers can leave stains.
Most color removers already have all the necessary paraphernalia for their application, just like your typical hair dye. If you want a smooth and easy application, always use them correctly and add extra protection like gloves and a cover.
If the mixture does get on your skin, you can add protective oils to prevent staining, such as baby oil, coconut oil, or Vaseline. You can also try stain removing lotions or wipes made specifically for hair dyes!
Another way to protect your skin is to do a patch test. Apply a small amount of the remover to the skin and watch for irritation or reactions.
4. Apply color remover.
Like all hair products, handling bleaching is not as complicated as it seems, since they all come with a manual.
Before proceeding with the application, mix the necessary solutions as indicated. But you have to work fast. The mixture will not last long once it is mixed and activated.
The application process is normal and you can use whatever you want. Whether with a brush or with gloves, the important thing is the even application.
Combing the hair with a wide tooth comb throughout the application also helps!
5. Cover the hair with plastic wrap or a shower cap and leave to act.
After even application, you can cover your hair with a shower cap to keep the procedure tidy. Some brands recommend using gentle heat to speed up the process, but you can naturally induce heat by wrapping your hair in plastic wrap or a towel.
Follow the processing time indicated in your product manual. You'll want to avoid leaving it on for longer than prescribed.
6. Rinse well.
This is where it becomes crucial.
We are aware that the cuticles have been raised during the removal process and would like to keep them that way during rinsing.
Remove any color particles with a long, warm cleansing along with your trusted shampoo.
Not rinsing properly can cause the remaining color particles to re-oxidize and expand again, causing the hair to darken.
A persistent chemical odor is normal after a color removal process. But if you don't like that, you can always do an extra rinse.
7. Condition your hair.
After successfully removing the dye, your hair should be all beaten up from processing and rinsing. It's time to give some extra pampering and love throughdeep conditioning.
Renew the life and health of your hair by lathering up a generous amount of conditioner and letting it seep into each strand.
What else you need to know about color removers
Color removers aren't just for permanent hair dyes.
If we go back in time, there was a time when epilators were only made for permanent hair color. But not anymore.
Check the labels of what you are receiving. Some brands accommodate different types of ink, such as permanent or semi-permanent. Some are even created to remove ink stains from skin and clothing.
Hair color removers are not necessarily intended to restore your natural hair color.
Hair color removers primarily correct color and rarely return hair to its original color.
By the time you've had your first dyeing session, you'll already know that oxidation from this process and the different products used can induce permanent changes to your natural color.
peroxide basedhair dyeit will probably lighten your natural hair color before the chosen shade covers all of your hair.
Whether you go for darker or lighter colors, constant reapplication can permanently interfere with your natural hair color and have irreversible effects.
Even if you color your hair frequently and use darker shades, even the best hair dye remover will not return your hair to its original color. Instead, you can just separate that color into shades ranging from light browns to orange or yellow.
Bleached hair cannot be stripped.
You may be wondering if hair dye removers work onbleachedcabello…
The answer is no if you mean to reverse the lightening effect of bleached hair.
Bleaching lifts strands and removes pigment from natural hair, so bleaching doesn't need to remove anything to begin with. Please note that color removers only remove hair dyes.
Another thing is that bleaching is often done to take the darkest tones and drain them from the hair.
So if you already have bleached hair, the bleaches will have nothing to remove.
Once will not always be enough.
Stacking hair colors on top of each other can be difficult for those who like to mix styles.
Previously applied hair color is not removed by miracles and prayers; sometimes you need repeated attempts at removal or whitening.
When not done correctly, this can change the color and texture of your hair over time and lead to a terrible nightmare called color buildup. This will interfere with your color every time, making it difficult to get lighter shades.
This can make your hair look dull, dull and heavy and block the effect of new colors.
To combat color buildup, use patiently and thenhair color removers.
If you've had a fair number of color sessions, chances are your hair has built up thick, hard pigment deposits that will require multiple bleaching sessions. Another thing to consider is how much color you have and how long you've been wearing it.
The frequency of application depends entirely on the state of your hair before bleaching. You should know that black and red pigments are more difficult to remove because they have large color molecules.
You can do color waxing up to 3 times a day. But to be a bit gentle, do it at least twice a day and let your hair sit for 24 hours before you decide to do it again.
Copper tones are a must if your hair has already been lightened with peroxide.
Aside from that annoying yellow tint that keeps coming back, orange is one of the most frustrating colors you'll get from using color remover. This is due to the peroxide in the bleach or permanent dyes.
But don't panic! That means your hair color remover is working!
Hot molecules are seen in the shape ofboldyellow or orange hair, and these are the last natural color molecules to be removed from the hair.
Suppose you stick with these shades. If you started with darker shades when applying the color remover, congratulations! You are almost done with removing hair color.
This hot residue can now be easily neutralized with toners or toning shampoo.
“The longer you leave it on, the more colors are removed.”
We hate to break it to you, but it doesn't work that way.
Hair color removers work according to precise science; so do what the manual says; Leaving it longer than recommended will only cause more problems.
Bleach is not the same as bleach, so no matter how long you leave it on, it will only do what it's supposed to: remove darker tones, but not lighten your hair.
Additionally, it also has a higher chance of damaging and drying your hair the longer you leave it on due to the chemical ingredients it contains.
Why did my hair darken?
Rinsing your hair incorrectly can re-oxidize previously applied dye. This happens, for example, if you rinse your hair with cold water, which closes the hair cuticles and retains the remaining pigments.
So instead of diluting and washing out all the artificial color pigments, they re-emerge as copper tones and darken, resulting in what should have disappeared.
There will be a distinctive smell.
The ingredients that contribute the most to the odor of a color remover are usually the ingredients that do the most work.
Color removers, especially those intended for permanent dyes and other intense colors, use sulfur to dissolve the color in your hair, so don't be surprised if you find products with a strong chemical smell.
Therefore, the ideal is to carry out this procedure in a well-ventilated place. And do not worry; the smell disappears after a few washes.
Can I bleach my hair after using bleaches?
Bleaches can't lift hair color and lighten it, but bleaching after using bleaches is risky.
We have repeatedly mentioned that hair dye removers are drying and doing another bleaching session afterwards is just terrible.
If you're not happy with the color you got, try using hair tonics or leave it to the experts. Or wait a week before bleaching to avoid severe damage and breakage.
Rest your hair after color removal before recoloring.
Your box of color remover might say something about having a gentle formula that allows you to re-color your hair immediately after the bleaching process. But don't torment your hair so much!
After coloring your hair can feel very porous and dry, so adding another set of colors can accentuate this condition. And because your cuticles are so open, color molecules can easily flow through and stick to the interior, resulting in a darker shade.
We understand; Sometimes you just can't contain the excitement and want to immerse yourself in the color changing process.
Although the box says the formula is gentle, it is recommended to let your hair sit for a few days, or at least 48 hours, before trying to re-color your hair.
Also, use a dye that is at least two shades lighter than your desired color, as your hair will then absorb a lot of pigments due to open cuticles.
So does color remover damage hair?
Now that you've read everything there is to know about hair dye removers, I bet you're starting to wonder.
So does color remover damage hair?
The answer is yes and no.
Unlike other hair removal products, bleaches are formulated without two of the harshest chemicals you can put on your hair: bleach and ammonia. So it will not be so dry and harmful.
But this is still case by case.
The level of damage to your hair depends on the condition of your hair before color removal and how you used the remover. If your hair is already very vulnerable and damaged, we suggest you avoid using bleach and seek professional help.
This hair product is not intended for regular use, as the draining of hair color can dry out and remove all the natural moisture from the scalp.
You can try Color Oops for a reliable but bleach-free hair color remover and for a bleach-based permanent hair color remover there areLoreal Efasol.
If you want a damage-free ride with hair dye removers, follow the product instructions and deep condition your hair afterwards.
away your problems
At some point in our lives, we will experience a hair color nightmare. And this is normal!
Today it is easier to solve this problem thanks to bleaches. But that doesn't mean the path to color-corrected hair will be easy.
The process will require excellent hair evaluation through product research and intense aftercare.
Hair dye removers can be easy to use, convenient, and reliable, but to be on the safe side, always do your research or seek professional advice.
Do you love to dye your hair?
Read other articles on hair dyes here:
- 9 Best Blue-Black Hair Dyes
- 6 stunning rose gold hair colors to try
- The 8 Best Teal Hair Colors for Ocean-Inspired Hair