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Categories
Personal Care and Style
Hair Care
Coloring Hair
Hair Dyes and Colorants
Removing Hair Dye
How to Fade Hair Dye Download Article Co-authored by Steven Waldman
Last Updated: February 19, 2026 Fact Checked
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Shampooing
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Exposing Your Hair to the Elements
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Using a Color Remover
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This article was co-authored by Steven Waldman. Steven Waldman is a Professional Hair Stylist and the Director of Technical Training at Hair Cuttery. Steven uses his creative insight and extensive experience to drive educational programming and motivates facilitators and learners to communicate effectively, create and execute strategies to maximize potential, and achieve success. He uses unexpected sources such as art genres, architecture, and cooking to inspire shape, color, and cuts. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,278,500 times.
Hair dye didn't turn out the way you hoped? Don't panic. You can definitely fade the dye so it's not as vibrant and intense. This article will walk you through your best options, including clarifying shampoo, salt water, and commercial color removers. Say goodbye to unwanted color and hello to hair your love.
Ways to Fade Hair Color
Wash your hair with clarifying shampoo as soon as possible after dyeing it, then rinse with hot water to strip away the color. Try exposing your hair to the elements as well, like the sun, salt water, and chlorinated water. As a last resort, apply a chemical color remover to strip the dye.
Steps
Method 1 Method 1 of 3:
Shampooing
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1 Wash your hair as soon as possible after dyeing it. If you want to preserve intense hair color, you're supposed to wait a few days to wash it. To fade your hair, you'll want to wash it right away after dyeing it. Hopping in the shower as soon as possible after deciding you want to fade your hair is the easiest way to get the process started.[1]XResearch source
2 Use a clarifying shampoo. You'll need to use a strong shampoo that will strip the dye from your hair.[2]X Expert Source Steven WaldmanProfessional Hair StylistExpert Interview You can find a variety of clarifying shampoos on Amazon here. Look for a clear shampoo, rather than an opaque one. Massage the shampoo into your hair thoroughly, making sure to work it in from the roots to the tips.[3]XResearch source
Prell has been said to help fade hair dye faster.
You could also try a dandruff shampoo that contains tar such as True Real or Medicasp.
Your results may vary depending on your hair type, the vividness of your hair color, and what type of dye you used (e.g., permanent versus semi-permanent or temporary).
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3 Rinse your hair with hot water. The heat helps to remove dye from your hair. Washing and rinsing your hair with hot water will strip away the color and should leave your hair significantly lighter.[4]XResearch source
4 Wash your hair again. Repeat washing with a clarifying shampoo a few times before drying your hair. Examine the results to determine whether your hair has faded to a color you like better. Continue washing your hair more often than usual. Over the period of a couple of weeks, your hair should definitely fade a few shades. If not, move on to another fading method.[5]X Expert Source Steven WaldmanProfessional Hair StylistExpert Interview
5 Be sure to condition your hair well. All that extra washing with a strong clarifying shampoo is going to dry out your hair. Be sure to use plenty of conditioner so you don't cause too much damage.
Do a coconut oil mask once a week to keep your hair from splitting and getting brittle.[6]XResearch source
When you're happy with your hair color again, do a deep conditioning treatment and then give it a rest for a few days, before shampooing.
Advertisement Method 2 Method 2 of 3:
Exposing Your Hair to the Elements
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1 Go out in the sun. The sun is a natural hair lightener and color fader. Exposing your hair to sunlight will help it turn a few shades lighter over time.[7]XResearch source
2 Swim in salt water. The salt helps to loosen the dye from your hair. If you swim in the ocean a few days a week, you'll notice your hair color fading in time.
3 Swim in a pool. The chlorine acts as a color remover, fading your hair after prolonged exposure. This isn't great for your hair, though, so don't rely on this method if you have others at your disposal. Chlorine makes hair straw-like and brittle in addition to fading color.[8]XResearch source
After swimming, use a clarifying shampoo to remove the chlorine from your hair.
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Using a Color Remover
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1 Use a chemical dye remover such as Color Oops. This should be a last resort, since the chemicals are tough on hair and could cause brittleness and split ends to occur. If you dyed your hair a dark color, chemical dye remover can lighten it up. Follow the instructions on the package to treat your hair with dye remover, then rinse it out and examine the results. Repeat if necessary.[9]XResearch source
Test the dye remover on a discreet lock of hair before using it on your whole head.
Chemical dye remover doesn't work on hair that has been dyed lighter; it only works to remove darker colors.
Do a deep conditioning treatment on your hair to restore it to health after using a dye remover.
Chemical dye removers may not be effective for everyone. Do some research on different brands to find the dye remover that will work best with your hair type and the type of hair dye you used.
2 Try baking soda. This is a natural way to remove dark color from your hair. Make a paste with 1/2 cup (120 ml) of baking soda and 1/2 cup (120 ml) water. Massage it into your hair and let it sit for 15 minutes, then rinse with hot water. Repeat as many times as you'd like until you've achieved the color you want.[10]XResearch source
Condition your hair well after using baking soda, since it strips your hair of its natural oils.
3 Make a homemade bleach bath. This must be used within 30 minutes of the color application.
Mix together 1 tablespoon (15 ml) bleach powder, 25 milliliters (0.85 fl oz) 40 vol/6% peroxide, and a bit of shampoo.
Apply the color stripper to wet hair. Use as you'd use normal shampoo.
Emulsify and rub the hair for approximately 3 to 5 minutes. Take great care not to get it in your eyes!
Use a mirror and check to see the color lifting.
Rinse well. Towel dry. Apply conditioner or treatment.
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Expert Q&A
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Question I dyed my hair today to darkest brown and it has gone black. What can I do to turn it brown? Ashley Adams Professional Hair Stylist Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016. Ashley Adams Professional Hair Stylist Expert Answer You can follow the steps that are outlined above in the article to fade your black hair to brown. #3 under "Using a Color Remover," should definitely work for you in achieving dark brown hair. 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 12 Helpful 31
Question How can I make hair return to brown from red? Ashley Adams Professional Hair Stylist Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016. Ashley Adams Professional Hair Stylist Expert Answer Is your natural color brown? If so, you can attempt to return to brown hair by making a homemade color stripper. If that doesn't work, try to use clarifying shampoo or purchase a dye remover. 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 14 Helpful 22
Question What is the best way to fade dyed hair extensions from neon green to a more pastel green without damaging them too much? Community Answer If you hang out in the sun, use a little bit of shampoo and lots of conditioner, that could work, but you have to repeat these steps multiple times. You could also swim in chlorinated water. 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 8 Helpful 19
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Tips
Begin the process of fading hair color as soon as possible for best results. If you wait longer than 72 hours, your hair color likely will have set and you will not have much success in getting it to fade. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
See a professional stylist if hair color is still undesirable after making attempts to fade it. You can try calling cosmetology schools to see if you can serve as a model for teaching color correction techniques. Getting a hair treatment at a cosmetology school is usually less expensive than going to a salon. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
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.
Putting lemon juice in your hair and sitting in the sun can sometimes lighten your hair naturally. Don't leave the juice on too long, though, or it can dry out your hair. Do a deep conditioning mask when you're done.
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Co-authored by: Steven Waldman Professional Hair Stylist This article was co-authored by Steven Waldman. Steven Waldman is a Professional Hair Stylist and the Director of Technical Training at Hair Cuttery. Steven uses his creative insight and extensive experience to drive educational programming and motivates facilitators and learners to communicate effectively, create and execute strategies to maximize potential, and achieve success. He uses unexpected sources such as art genres, architecture, and cooking to inspire shape, color, and cuts. This article has been viewed 1,278,500 times. How helpful is this? Co-authors: 25Updated: February 19, 2026 Views: 1,278,500 Categories: Featured Articles | Removing Hair DyeArticle SummaryX
Even if it’s been awhile since you colored your hair, you can fade your hair dye if you think it’s too dark or too bright. To start, wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo designed to strip product buildup from your hair. Then, rinse your hair with hot water, and shampoo again if the dye is still too dark. Finally, condition your hair afterward to help heal some of the damage caused by dyeing and harsh shampoos. Keep reading for tips from our beauty remover on fading your hair using a chemical color remover!Did this summary help you?YesNo
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Reader Success Stories
Denise Dale
Feb 4, 2017
"I am nearly 70, so I have a lot of gray hair. This seems to make hair color go dark. Thank you for your help. I also heard vitamin c tablets help if you crush them and add them to dandruff shampoo with a good conditioner after. "..." more
More reader stories Hide reader stories Share your story If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.
Did this article help you?
Yes No Advertisement If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Steven Waldman Professional Hair Stylist Click a star to vote Co-authors: 25Updated: February 19, 2026 Views: 1,278,500
Denise Dale
Feb 4, 2017
"I am nearly 70, so I have a lot of gray hair. This seems to make hair color go dark. Thank you for your help. I also heard vitamin c tablets help if you crush them and add them to dandruff shampoo with a good conditioner after. "..." more
Linda Ricciotti
Sep 13, 2016
"My hair color was really light blonde but I wanted to go a little darker, so bought medium ash blonde. Let's say it didn't come out that color. Totally way too dark for me. Thanks to you now I know what to do. Thanks so much."..." more
DeLayne Vasterling
Jul 28, 2016
"I actually put dandruff shampoo (it can take a lot if your hair is long) on dry hair, left it on for 15 minutes, and rinsed then conditioned. You can repeat as needed, but remember works best if applied to dry hair."..." more
J. Lacey
Aug 15, 2016
"Using clarifying shampoo several times seemed to fade the almost-black to dark brown. Not as much as I'd hoped, so waiting for the sun and time to work their magic."..." more
Anonymous
Jun 30, 2016
"The method that worked the most was washing hair with clear shampoo." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories
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Co-authored by: Steven Waldman Professional Hair Stylist This article was co-authored by Steven Waldman. Steven Waldman is a Professional Hair Stylist and the Director of Technical Training at Hair Cuttery. Steven uses his creative insight and extensive experience to drive educational programming and motivates facilitators and learners to communicate effectively, create and execute strategies to maximize potential, and achieve success. He uses unexpected sources such as art genres, architecture, and cooking to inspire shape, color, and cuts. This article has been viewed 1,278,500 times. How helpful is this? Co-authors: 25 Updated: February 19, 2026 Views: 1,278,500 Categories: Featured Articles | Removing Hair Dye Article SummaryX
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1 Wash your hair as soon as possible after dyeing it. If you want to preserve intense hair color, you're supposed to wait a few days to wash it. To fade your hair, you'll want to wash it right away after dyeing it. Hopping in the shower as soon as possible after deciding you want to fade your hair is the easiest way to get the process started.[1] 
2 Use a clarifying shampoo. You'll need to use a strong shampoo that will strip the dye from your hair.[2] You can find a variety of clarifying shampoos on Amazon here. Look for a clear shampoo, rather than an opaque one. Massage the shampoo into your hair thoroughly, making sure to work it in from the roots to the tips.[3] 
3 Rinse your hair with hot water. The heat helps to remove dye from your hair. Washing and rinsing your hair with hot water will strip away the color and should leave your hair significantly lighter.[4] 
4 Wash your hair again. Repeat washing with a clarifying shampoo a few times before drying your hair. Examine the results to determine whether your hair has faded to a color you like better. Continue washing your hair more often than usual. Over the period of a couple of weeks, your hair should definitely fade a few shades. If not, move on to another fading method.[5] 
5 Be sure to condition your hair well. All that extra washing with a strong clarifying shampoo is going to dry out your hair. Be sure to use plenty of conditioner so you don't cause too much damage. 
1 Go out in the sun. The sun is a natural hair lightener and color fader. Exposing your hair to sunlight will help it turn a few shades lighter over time.[7] 
2 Swim in salt water. The salt helps to loosen the dye from your hair. If you swim in the ocean a few days a week, you'll notice your hair color fading in time. 
3 Swim in a pool. The chlorine acts as a color remover, fading your hair after prolonged exposure. This isn't great for your hair, though, so don't rely on this method if you have others at your disposal. Chlorine makes hair straw-like and brittle in addition to fading color.[8] 
1 Use a chemical dye remover such as Color Oops. This should be a last resort, since the chemicals are tough on hair and could cause brittleness and split ends to occur. If you dyed your hair a dark color, chemical dye remover can lighten it up. Follow the instructions on the package to treat your hair with dye remover, then rinse it out and examine the results. Repeat if necessary.[9] 
2 Try baking soda. This is a natural way to remove dark color from your hair. Make a paste with 1/2 cup (120 ml) of baking soda and 1/2 cup (120 ml) water. Massage it into your hair and let it sit for 15 minutes, then rinse with hot water. Repeat as many times as you'd like until you've achieved the color you want.[10] 
3 Make a homemade bleach bath. This must be used within 30 minutes of the color application. 
Ashley Adams Professional Hair Stylist Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016. 
Community Answer If you hang out in the sun, use a little bit of shampoo and lots of conditioner, that could work, but you have to repeat these steps multiple times. You could also swim in chlorinated water. 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 8 Helpful 19 