The hair color looked so pretty in the picture on the box, but when you put it on your hair, the results were nothing short of disastrous. If you are fortunate enough to have used a semi-permanent hair color on your hair, it will usually wash out after ten to twelve shampoos, but that can seem like an eternity when you have the wrong hair color. Is there a way to remove semi-permanent hair color quickly and safely?
Fortunately, if you choose to use semi-permanent hair color rather than permanent, you won’t be stuck with the color longer than a few weeks. Although most semi-permanent hair color boxes state that the color lasts ten to twelve washings, if you recently got a perm or otherwise processed your hair, it may last longer. This is because the hair is porous after a chemical treatment which causes the hair strands to grab onto the color. If you used a semi-permanent hair color that’s much darker than your natural hair, the effects may also last longer.
What options do you have if you want to remove semi-permanent hair coloring quickly? The most conservative approach is to wash your hair more frequently using a good clarifying shampoo. Although this will speed up the process of semi-permanent color removal, you’re still going to be stuck with the color for a week or two. If you choose to try this approach, use a deep conditioning treatment after every few shampoos since frequent washing can be drying to your hair. Doing hot oil treatments between shampoos will not only help with dryness, but may help you to remove the semi-permanent hair color more quickly.
If you want to remove semi-permanent hair color fast, there are products specifically made to do this that work with varying degrees of success. The best approach is to head over to Sally’s Beauty Supply shop and ask them to recommend the one that’s best for your hair. It’s important to select a product formulated to remove semi-permanent hair color only. If you get a product that removes all types of hair color including permanent hair dye, it will very likely lighten your hair too.
You may be tempted to use a product made by Loreal called Colorzap Color Remover Kit. Although this product will remove semi-permanent hair color, it’s designed to remove all hair coloring products, including permanent dyes. You could end up lightening your hair as well as damaging it during the removal process. This usually isn’t the best option for semi-permanent hair color. Stick with products designed specifically to remove semi-permanent color only.
Keep in mind that even if you decide to do nothing, you’ll only be stuck with the color for several weeks. Don’t risk damaging your hair by using products designed to remove permanent hair coloring. If you can’t live with your new hair color, a professional hair colorist should be able to correct the problem.
Dr. Kristie
My natural color is gray and I had not dyed it in 10 years. I have used Clairol Natural Instincts (various auburn shades) (supposed to last 28 shampoos) 6 times over 9 months and have decided to go back to gray. I haven’t used any color in the last 2 months and I usually wash my hair 4-7 times a week, but it’s not fading at all. I bought head and shoulders and washed it 12 times in 4 days but still not fading. I tried vinegar, vitamin C tabs mixed with shampoo and lemon juice. The only thing that touched it was the lemon juice and it faded it slightly. I did use argon oil on it after each of the treatments and overall my hair is healthy. I went to Sally Beauty and explained by dilemma to the clerk and she suggested L’oreal Colorzap. When I got home and opened the box to read the instructions and it says “do not use over…semi-permanent hair color”. Is it safe for me to use and is it effective?