10 Ways to Lighten Hair Dyed Too Dark

Get dark or tinted hair lighter again at home

Co-authored by Michael Van den Abbeel and Mason Martinez, BA

Last Updated: February 26, 2024 Fact Checked

If you’ve recently dyed your hair, but it came out too dark, there are some effective home remedies and products you can try to lighten up the color. Try washing your hair with apple cider vinegar and water or baking soda and shampoo. While it won’t turn jet-black hair into blonde, it can lighten your hair a few shades. Use this guide for alternative hair color-removing options!

Things You Should Know

Lighten dyed hair naturally with household items like apple cider vinegar, white vinegar, and lemon juice.
Use store-bought hair color removers, like Color Oops, to lighten your hair to your desired color and redye with boxed dye or professional services.
If your hair dye is too dark, combine equal parts of bleach, developer, and shampoo to create a mixture that may lighten your hair.

1

Clarifying shampoo

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Rinse your hair with hot water and clarifying shampoo. Immediately run your hair under hot water before your new boxed dye can set in. The heat will open up your hair follicles, stripping more of the dye. Then, squeeze a dime-sized amount of non-color-safe clarifying shampoo into your palms. Rub it into the dyed, wet hair thoroughly.^{[1]
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- After rinsing the product out, condition liberally. Massage conditioner into your hair from root to tip, then rinse it out.^{[2]
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  Expert Interview. 7 January 2019.}
- Refer to the product’s instructions for the appropriate amount of clarifying shampoo to apply to your hair.

2

Commercial color remover product

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There are plenty of color remover products on the market. Mix the ingredients in the box as directed and apply with a dye brush. It helps to work in sections to ensure you get every piece of hair. Allow the product to sit for 20 minutes, then rinse for 3 to 5 minutes in warm water and shampoo 2 or 3 times.^{[3]
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3

Baking soda and shampoo

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Combine 2 cups (400 g) of baking soda and ¼ cup (60 ml) of clarifying shampoo. The alkalinity of baking soda works to open your hair up, letting the clarifying shampoo better strip its color. Use a whisk to mix the baking soda and shampoo in a non-metal bowl. Rinse your hair with hot water and use a dye brush to apply the homemade mixture evenly. Let it sit for 5-15 minutes before blow-drying to check the color.^{[4]
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- You may need to do this more than once to get the desired results. Add 1 tbsp (14 g) of hair bleach powder to the original recipe to create a stronger mixture.
- Wear a towel or cloth around your hair and neck to avoid getting the mixture in your hair. You can also apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to avoid staining your skin.^{[5]
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- Avoid heat styling for 1-2 days since these chemicals can take a toll on your hair.

4

Bleach wash

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Mix equal amounts of bleach, shampoo, and developer in a clean bowl. To perform a bleach wash, start by mixing 1oz (28ml) of bleach and 1oz of developer in a bowl. Add an equal amount of clarifying shampoo to the mixture and use a dye brush to combine. Put on gloves and apply the mixture onto damp hair. Start at the roots and work your way down. Leave the mixture for 10 minutes before washing thoroughly.^{[6]
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- Wear a shower cap or plastic wrap to contain the heat from your head. This will help the mixture set.
- Add an ounce of conditioner to the mixture to keep your hair healthy. However, when you rinse the mixture, you can condition your hair afterward.
- Developer ranges from 10 to 40 volumes, with 40 being the strongest type. If you’re using semi or demi-permanent hair dye, use a develop between 3 and 20 volume. For permanent or dark hair color, use 20 to 30 volume.^{[7]
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5

Hydrogen peroxide

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Combine equal amounts of hydrogen peroxide and water in a spray bottle. Before spraying the mixture, protect your skin with petroleum jelly. Use the mister setting on the spray bottle to apply the mixture a foot away from your hair evenly. Let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour, and rinse with cold water.^{[8]
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- Peroxide is safe to get on your skin but can cause burning in your eyes. If you get some in them, flush your eyes with cool water.
- Wear safety goggles or cover your eyes with a gloved hand or cloth when spraying the solution.
- Excessive peroxide use can easily lead to brassy, orangey hair coloration that can be resolved with a toner.

6

Vitamin C and anti-dandruff shampoo

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Crush 15-20 vitamin C tablets in a bowl of anti-dandruff shampoo. Use a mortar and pestle or any blunt instrument to crush the vitamin C tablets. Add a small amount of anti-dandruff shampoo to make an effective paste with the powder. Dampen your hair with hot water and spread the mixture into your hair. Leave it in for an hour, then rinse the paste from your hair with cool water.^{[9]
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- Wrap your hair with a shower cap or plastic wrap.
- If your hair feels dry afterward, apply a deep conditioning hair mask to prevent breakage.

7

White vinegar

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Whisk equal parts of white vinegar with warm water. Vinegar is acidic and recommended for scalp cleansing. However, it may also help remove hair dye when combined with equal parts of water. Apply the mixture to dry hair and allow it to sit for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing.^{[10]
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- Wrap your hair in a shower cap or plastic wrap, or fold equal strands in aluminum foil.
- Because of its citric acid, you can use lemon juice to replace white vinegar. This process is more gradual.^{[11]
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8

Cinnamon and conditioner

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Cover your hair with a DIY cinnamon and conditioner paste. Add 3-4 tbsp (42-56 g) of cinnamon powder to a glob of conditioner to make a thick paste. Comb the paste through your hair and carefully wrap your hair with clips and a shower cap. Allow it to sit overnight and rinse the following morning with cold water.^{[12]
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- You can repeat this method as often as possible since it won’t damage your hair follicles.

9

Apple cider vinegar

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Use ½ tbsp (7 ml) of apple cider vinegar with one cup of water. First, shampoo your hair with clarifying shampoo for an extra boost. Then, apply this homemade mixture to your hair and rinse with plain water. This method is ideal for semi or demi-colors and will lighten the shade by one or two colors.^{[13]
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- You may have to apply this concoction multiple times for darker colors.
- Apple cider vinegar can alleviate a dry scalp, control frizz, and eliminate product buildup.

10

Warm oil

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Massage your choice of oil evenly onto your roots and tips. Hot oil is a natural way to lighten your hair. Use almond, coconut, or olive oil and warm it up in a pot for 30 seconds or so. Massage the oil onto your hair with your fingers. Then, wrap your hair and leave it in for a few hours or overnight. Rinse with cold water and clarifying shampoo.^{[14]
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- You may need to allow it to cool until it reaches a comfortable temperature.

Expert Q&A

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Question

How can you lighten your hair naturally?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Lemon juice and honey are gentle and effective lightening agents. Vinegar will also add natural highlights.

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Question

Can you lighten your hair with box color?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

You can lighten your hair with box dye only if it hasn't been previously colored. Follow the instructions on the box.

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Question

Can you use toner on dark hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Toner is translucent and won't show up on dark hair colors. It is designed specifically for use on light hair.

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Tips

Seek a hairstylist's advice if coloring damages your hair.

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Some stores sell color-removing shampoo or other products to help remove color.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

For dark hair colors, try pouring coffee over your hair and leaving the conditioner on for 10-15 minutes. It may help strip dark hair coloring.
Add deep conditioning to the Vitamin C process to keep your hair smooth and healthy.
Avoid using hydrogen peroxide in the sun. It can damage your hair follicles.

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