Simple Ways to Remove Henna Dye from Hair

Download Article

Everything you need to know to remove (or cover) henna hair dye

Co-authored by Moushami Iyer

Last Updated: November 15, 2024 Fact Checked

Download Article

Fading Henna with Oil

|

Stripping the Color Out

|

Finding Other Solutions

|

Video

|

Q&A

|

Tips

|

Warnings

Dying hair with henna has become a popular method for permanent hair coloring. Henna is a permanent hair dye and many salons will not put chemical dyes on top of henna, so if you want to change your hair color or return to your natural hair, you may have to try to remove the henna yourself. You might be able to go to the salon for help after stripping or fading much of the henna from your hair.

How can I remove henna from my hair?

You can't remove the henna from your hair, since the dye is permanent. If you don't want to wait for it to grow out, you may be able to fade the dye with mineral oil, strip it from your hair with alcohol, or cover it up with more dye.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Fading Henna with Oil

Download Article

1
Buy a large bottle of oil. Anecdotal evidence supports using mineral oil over other types of oil, but you could try a combination and see what works best for your hair.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- You may be able to make your own oil solution out of olive, argan, and coconut oils.
- You will likely need several applications, so be sure you buy enough to cover your head several times.
2
Soak your hair with oil. Stand in the bathtub or outside and massage the oil from the roots to the tips and along your scalp.
- After you have covered your hair completely, place more oil in your palms and massage it through your hair again to be sure it is completely saturated.
- Oil should be dripping off of your hair. If it is not dripping a little, you have not oiled it enough, and you should apply more.
Advertisement
You can use a plastic shower cap or just plastic wrap from the kitchen. Cover your hair with plastic to keep the oil wet and let it soak in to your hair.
This optional step may yield better results. Use a hair dryer to apply heat to your oily hair.^{[2]
X
Research source} You could also go out into the sun if it is a warm day.
5
Leave the oil on your hair. The longer you leave the oil on your hair, the more it will help lighten the henna color. At a minimum, the oil should be left on for 2-3 hours.
- Leaving the oil on overnight may be beneficial.
- If you leave the oil on overnight, cover your pillow with a towel so that it will not get oily if the plastic moves in your sleep.
- Testing showed that a 12-hour application of oil had significantly greater impact on hair tint than 2-3 hour applications.
6
Shampoo your hair with a clarifying shampoo. Use a high-powered clarifying shampoo to strip the oil out of your hair.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- Try massaging the first application of shampoo over the oil before wetting your hair with water, then rinsing well.
- Lather with shampoo and rinse several times, until your hair no longer feels oily. Depending on the oil, the shampoo, and the hardness of your water, this could take many repetitions to get the oil out.
- Use water that is very hot, and be sure to rinse thoroughly.
7
Repeat the oiling process. Multiple applications of oil are more likely to make a bigger difference over time, so repeating the process several times will give you better results.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- Give yourself a week between oilings to give your hair a chance to recover a little and produce its own natural moisture.
Other products that may help fade or lighten the henna out of your hair are grape seed oil and whitening toothpaste. You can try these products with the same process as mineral oil.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Stripping the Color Out

Download Article

This method may be best when followed immediately by an oil treatment.^{[5]
X
Research source} It may strip some of the henna and prepare the hair to absorb oil better, which will make the effects of the oil fading stronger.
2
Squeeze lemon juice onto your hair. The acid in lemon juice, particularly when combined with natural sunlight, can help strip the henna off of your hair and lighten the effects of the henna.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- Freshly squeezed lemons will yield better results than concentrated lemon juice.
- Combine lemon juice with water and dip your head into the mixture to coat your hair completely.
- Go outside in the direct sunshine and let your hair dry. You may want to “fluff” it with your hand periodically to be sure that multiple layers of hair are receiving the benefit of the sunlight.
- Be sure to moisturize your hair or do a deep conditioning treatment after applying acidic products.
3
Coat your hair with raw honey. Even though it tastes sweet, honey has some acidic properties and may help strip henna out of your hair without damaging it as much as harsher, more acidic strippers.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- Leave the honey on for at least 3 hours, longer for better results.
- Be sure to wash thoroughly with a clarifying shampoo afterwards.
- You may want to stay inside while letting your hair soak so that you do not attract bugs or bees to your head.
4
Use peroxide. This option is not ideal because it can severely damage your hair, but if you are desperate to get rid of the henna, you might want to try this as a last resort.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- Coat your hair with hydrogen peroxide. Be sure not to get it in your eyes.
- Leave the peroxide on for an hour.
- Apply heat by going out in the sun or blow drying your hair on high heat.
- Wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo.
- Do a deep conditioning or hot wax hair treatment to help salvage your damaged hair.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Finding Other Solutions

Download Article

Hair dye that does not contain peroxide may be able to cover the henna better than traditional dyes, which may cause the hair to turn blue.
Growing the color out of your hair may take a long time, but it might be the best option if you have dyed your hair with henna. Trying new hairstyles while your hair is growing may help you pass the time during this frustrating period of time.
If you cut your hair short, you might be able to cut off most or all of the henna-dyed hair. Even if the henna goes all the way to the roots, short haircuts will grow the color out sooner than long hair cuts because there is less area to grow out.
As a last resort, try wearing a hat or even a wig until your hair has recovered from the henna treatment.

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

I've only applied henna once to my hair; do I still need to use the same methods and timing?

Community Answer

As you have only dyed your hair with henna once, it will be very easy to get it out. All you have to do is to follow the steps.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 17 Helpful 58
Question

Would the oil treatment work if I just need to lighten a bad choice of henna? It's darker red than I wanted. I have been using henna for 15 years.

Martie Gallego

Community Answer

Hot oil treatment would be great for your hair, particularly if you have dry, damaged hair. It may lighten the results of henna to some extent, but the henna has built up over 15 years. You may need to use a product to strip the henna from the hair. I recommend that you go to a beauty supply shop and ask for a recommendation. There are many things you could use.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 20 Helpful 20
Question

What over-the-counter hair dye is non-oxidative?

Community Answer

Most non-permanent hair colors are non oxidative. They only become so when peroxide is mixed into the color solution.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 10 Helpful 18

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

Visit a professional before attempting at-home solutions. They may be able to guide you to the best option for you and your hair.

Thanks
Helpful 7 Not Helpful 1
If you know you're going to attempt to grow your hair out from a short cut, do not henna for a temporary color. Best to use henna for permanent color or if you don't mind ending up cutting most of your hair off.

Thanks
Helpful 2 Not Helpful 5
The best solution is prevention. If you think you will want to remove the henna, you should not use it in the first place.

Thanks
Helpful 4 Not Helpful 18

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

Be aware than any of these methods could potentially damage your hair. Any method you use to remove henna will dry out and could potentially damage your hair.

Thanks
Helpful 7 Not Helpful 0
If you take an extreme measure, such as peroxide, be ready to cut your hair off completely if you get a disastrous result.

Thanks
Helpful 79 Not Helpful 29
Use caution when applying anything to your hair. Do not get products in your eyes or on your face.

Thanks
Helpful 3 Not Helpful 3