Have you ever colored your hair and it didn’t work out as you expected? Or do you find it challenging to keep one hair color for long? Whether you have a dye job gone wrong or you need to freshen up your color, removing dye can be difficult.
However, going into the salon frequently can add up, and some hair color removers don’t always get the job done. Surprisingly enough, there’s one common household item that can easily remove your hair color at home without spending extra cash.
Baking soda can be used for almost anything, and it can potentially remove unwanted hair color. It’s more than likely you already have baking soda in your house. It’s a cleaning ingredient that helps remove stains and smells.
Can you use baking soda as a hair color remover? Surprisingly enough, baking soda can lighten your hair and remove hair color if you’re in a pinch. Also, there are multiple ways you can create a baking soda solution to remove unwanted hair dye.
You can use baking soda on its own or combine it with other household items to eliminate hair dye. However, how well does this removing method work? When doing hair at home, everyone should proceed with caution, especially with baking soda!
Why Baking Soda?
Why use baking soda instead of all the products you can use on your hair to remove color? While there are many hair color removers on the market, they may not be as accessible, effective, or affordable as baking soda. But does it lighten hair?
We usually use baking soda to clean our environment or belongings. For example, baking soda does a beautiful job removing tough stains, mold, and mildew. It can clean fabrics and eliminate odor.
Overall, it’s a superhero cleaning product.
If baking soda can lighten clothes or eliminate stains, why can’t it do the same for hair? Baking soda can remove hair color and lighten your strands. However, this method will be the most effective for semi-permanent colors.
If you’re looking to remove permanent color, it’s best to seek help from a professional and licensed hairdresser. While baking soda works wonderfully as a hair color remover, it may not be the best option for everyone.
Does Baking Soda Work As A Hair Color Remover?
Baking soda can work as a hair color remover if you ever find yourself in a pinch.
Multiple baking soda removal methods will eliminate unwanted colors, but these methods shouldn’t replace professional salon coloring altogether. But, for a one-time fix, it will do the job.
Baking soda is powerful enough to scrub the strands and gradually strip color from your hair. We mentioned earlier that the baking soda methods work the best with semi-permanent hair colors, but they can work on dyes or uncolored hair.
However, if you’re in doubt, consult a stylist. Baking soda can remove color, but it may take a few tries or applications depending on your desired outcome. It’s crucial to note that baking soda won’t replace bleach but it will gradually lift the strands.
Is Baking Soda An Effective Hair Color Remover?
Baking soda can be an effective hair color remover. However, we mentioned earlier that it takes a couple of applications to reach your desired hair color. Usually, when you’re lightening hair, you’re also adding your desired color at the same time.
When you use any baking soda methods, you remove a semi-permanent color or dye without doing anything else to your hair. You may also find that your results can be patchy or unveil a color that you didn’t expect.
While baking soda effectively removes color, it’s unlikely you’ll get a salon-quality finish. Your current hair color and desired hair color will also determine the effectiveness of removing dyes with baking soda.
Thankfully, there is more than one way to use baking soda as a hair color remover.
How To Remove Hair Color With Baking Soda
What are the best ways to remove hair color with baking soda?
We’ll unveil multiple methods that remove the color from your hair instantly and guide you every step of the way. It’s crucial to note these methods involve other everyday household items.
It’s crucial to perform a patch test before using or applying any of these mixtures to your hair and scalp. A patch test will ensure that you won’t have an allergic or adverse reaction to the mixture, especially if you make yourself at home.
You can also perform a test strand. You can create your desired baking soda mixture and test it on one strand of hair to see the results. If you’re pleased with how the strand looks, then you know you can continue with the rest of your hair.
Taking these precautions will reassure you if you’re ready to remove hair color with baking soda or if you need to visit a stylist instead. It will also ensure that you don’t irritate your scalp and skin.
How to remove hair color with baking soda:
- Baking Soda & Water – The simplest way to remove hair color from your strands is to use baking soda and water. This is a beautiful method to use if you don’t want to add other ingredients or want to see the power of baking soda by itself. All you need is baking soda and water.
- Mix – First, add one spoon of baking soda and a small amount of water to a bowl. Then, you can alter or add more baking soda or water until you have enough to cover the desired area. You’ll want to have a thick paste after mixing. The paste shouldn’t be too watery or too dry.
- Apply – Next, you’ll want to apply the baking soda paste to your strands. Again, you can use fingers or a brush, but make sure you apply the paste evenly on the hair.
- Process & Rinse – Now, allow the paste to sit on the hair for 15 minutes. Finally, rinse thoroughly with water and continue to wash your hair as normal.
- Baking Soda & Hydrogen Peroxide – Hydrogen peroxide is an everyday household object, but it’s a standard component of hair developers. Developers are used to lift the cuticle to help color saturate the strands. Hydrogen peroxide can also be mixed with baking soda.
- Mix – All you need to create this mixture is hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. You can use a 2:1 ratio. For example, add two parts baking soda to one part hydrogen peroxide. You can follow typical measurements for hair color too. Just like the water method, you’ll also want to combine these ingredients to achieve a paste.
- Apply – Next, it’s time to apply your hydrogen peroxide and baking mixture to your hair. If you’re unsure how your hair or skin will react with hydrogen peroxide, always perform a patch test or test strand. This will help you avoid any hair or skin disasters.
- Process And Rinse – You can allow this mixture to sit for 15 to 30 minutes. After the processing time is up, you can rinse the hair and wash strands as you normally would.
Baking Soda & Shampoo –
You can also mix baking soda with shampoo. The best shampoo to use while creating this baking soda mixture is an anti-dandruff shampoo.
According to Healthline, “these shampoos include the ingredient selenium sulfide, which is known to fade hair color.” You can also rest assured knowing this shampoo is safe for hair. Sometimes DIY hair products can be intimidating to use on their own.
Here’s how to use baking soda with shampoo:
- Mix – To create your shampoo and baking soda mixture, you need to add equal parts of both components. Just like the other methods above, you’ll want to make an even, thick paste that is not too watery or too dry.
- Optional: Add Vitamin C – Vitamin C is a common ingredient in beauty care, and it’s known for its brightening and fading properties. You can also add a few vitamin C tablets to your shampoo and baking soda mixture if you want added strength.
- Apply – Now it’s time to evenly coat your hair in the shampoo and baking soda mixture.
- Process & Rinse – Because this mixture can contain vitamin C and other color fading ingredients within the shampoo, you’ll only want to let this paste sit for a few minutes. Five to ten minutes should be more than enough. Once the time is up, you can rinse and wash your hair as you usually would.
Additional Options – You can even mix baking soda with lemon juice or Epsom salt. If you have these ingredients at home, these are additional options if you want to add something to your baking soda.
Does Baking Soda Damage Your Hair?
Often we believe that natural or DIY products are automatically better than store-bought products because they don’t contain added sensitizers. However, natural or DIY mixtures can still cause a reaction if you aren’t careful.
Most issues with DIY hair mixtures are that you can’t control or add the same amount of active ingredients. For example, if you add lemon to your baking soda mixture, the vitamin C levels of each lemon can be different.
Any product not formulated for the hair can potentially cause damage, especially a product like baking soda. For example, baking soda can dry out your hair and make your strands feel brittle.
Over-using any products is never a good idea, but using baking soda in a sparing amount shouldn’t cause too much damage.
We mentioned earlier that baking soda shouldn’t replace professional coloring altogether and is acceptable to use once in a while.
If you’re worried about your hair getting dry or damaged, you can perform a test strand and apply a deep conditioning mask.
Can You Repeat Baking Soda Applications?
It’s possible that you won’t achieve the results you’ve been dreaming of in one go. If that’s the case, can you reapply your baking soda mixture?
The best way to find out is again by performing a test strand. If your hair can withstand it, apply again.
Hair color can gradually fade with hot water, shampoos, heat, and other factors. Baking soda can lighten your hair, but it’s unlikely that it will be as effective or powerful as bleach. However, you don’t want to overdo it with baking soda.
If you still aren’t happy with your results after two applications, it may be time to give your hair a break or seek help from a hairstylist.
Is Baking Soda Irritating For Your Scalp?
If you’re worried about baking soda affecting your skin or scalp, you can always perform a patch test. A patch test will be helpful if you add other concentrated ingredients like shampoo, lemon juice, or vitamin C.
Baking soda can be potentially irritating for some scalps, especially if you’re already sensitive. It may be wise to stay clear of baking soda mixtures if you have a scalp or skin condition that could potentially worsen.
When in doubt, consult your dermatologist and your hairdresser.
Aftercare
Baking soda can be extremely drying, especially when used as a hair color remover. The baking soda only removes the color from the strands without adding nourishing or strengthening properties to the hair.
One way to prevent straw-like strands is by implementing a healthy hair care routine. For example, you can add a leave-in conditioner to your hair after washing and rinsing out your baking soda mixture.
If your hair needs a little extra TLC, you can also implement a weekly deep conditioning mask or add a strengthening oil. Products with keratin can also be beneficial in moderation.
You can bring life back into your strands with a consistent and nourishing hair routine.
Visit A Salon
If you’re ever feeling doubtful of your baking soda hair color remover, you can always visit a salon.
While going to a salon is pricey, it’s worth every penny trying to save the integrity of your hair. You’ll receive customized care from a pro hairdresser.
Not only will a hairdresser be able to remove color, but they can also do so safely and even set you up with a hair routine based on your needs.
Takeaway
Overall, baking soda can work as a hair color remover. It might or may not be as effective as a real hair color remover, but it’s definitely the more affordable and accessible option. Baking soda is a common and popular household item.
You can use baking soda on its own or mix it with other products. For example, hydrogen peroxide, anti-dandruff shampoo, lemon, and vitamin C can all help fade hair color. You can remove hair color in the comfort of your own home.
However, the baking soda methods won’t be for everyone. If you’re sensitive or have skin/scalps conditions, you may want to avoid this method. You can also perform a patch test and test strand to ensure you keep yourself safe and gain your desired results.
Baking soda can dry your strands, mainly if you apply it multiple times. However, the best way to keep brittle strands under control is by incorporating hydrating and strengthening products like masks and oils weekly.
Lastly, it’s always best to seek professional and licensed hairdressers for advice.
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