Shortly after dyeing your hair, try rinsing it with white vinegar. This trick actually raises the pH level within your hair dye and encourages your colour to provide a better performance.
The Final Takeaway. Apple cider vinegar is a hair hero for colored strands. A diluted ACV solution will help re-seal hair cuticles and protect them from breakage and other vulnerabilities that may come with an imbalanced pH level after color treatments.
The short answer – yes. But, the longer answer is more complicated. While you can use vinegar to remove temporary hair dye, permanent hair color is a different matter. Unlike chemical products, the dye removal process using vinegar takes time but does not damage your hair.
But can ACV be used to remove hair dye? Surprisingly, yes. It's not quite the miracle product that will strip your strands of color in one go, but apple cider vinegar does have some impressive properties when it comes to breaking down hair color molecules.
The acidic properties of ACV help rejuvenate strands by getting rid of product build-up, repairing damage and making them appear smooth and shiny.
Our experts agree that apple cider vinegar is safe for all hair types, including color-treated tresses. It's especially beneficial for those with major product buildup, whether that's from hairsprays, dry shampoo, braids, or excess grease.
Gently work the vinegar into your hair with your fingers. It should be diluted enough that it shouldn't burn your scalp. Let the vinegar mixture sit for three to five minutes. Rinse your hair and scalp with cool water.
Use a clarifying shampoo
If you need to remove hair dye fast, reach for a clarifying or anti-dandruff shampoo. The harsh chemicals in these shampoos will strip your hair of color. Be sure to follow up with a hydrating conditioner afterwards, as clarifying shampoos can be drying.
A lightening or clarifying shampoo can lift the color and help you get the desired result. You can request that your stylist use a shampoo that is designed to lighten your hair. You can also wash your hair with clarifying shampoo in between salon visits safely to lift the color even more.
For hair dye that is too dark, you can use natural remedies like baking soda hair mask, washing hair with apple cider vinegar, using lemon juice on hair, etc. to lighten it. Washing hair with sulfate-based shampoos can also remove hair dye leaving it lighter.
Note: Vinegar can help set some acid dyes on animal fibers like silk or wool – but it's not necessary to set dye on cotton fabrics.
There is some science and history to the salt and vinegar stories. When cotton yarn or fabrics are dyed, salt is added to the dye bath as a mordant to help the fibers absorb the dye. For wool or nylon, the acid in vinegar acts as a mordant in the dye bath to help the fibers absorb dye.
Your best bet is to head to the salon so a professional colorist can strip your hair color with minimal damage. The color you're trying to strip really dictates the process so it's important to have their expertise. “It really varies on the existing hair color and where the color result needs to be,” he says.
To keep your store-bought fabric, hand-dyed, or tie-dyed fabrics looking its best, use a vinegar and salt solution to set the dye in place. Prevent the dye from bleeding by washing your fabric on a cold, gentle cycle with colour sheets.
Labrecque also notes that apple cider vinegar is a natural exfoliant and antiseptic which helps to cleanse the scalp. "It is gentle on the hair fiber and rinses clean without any heavy residue," he says. "It helps to strengthen the hair fiber and prepare hair for the conditioning product to be most effective."
Normal vinegar will only lighten color-treated or bleached hair, and regular use could damage general healthy, undamaged locks.
WASH YOUR HAIR MORE OFTEN
Basically you have to do the opposite of what we usually recommend. Washing your hair more often with hot water (and clarifying shampoo, see below!) will help speed up the fading process.
Epsom Salt and Baking Soda:
Add equal parts of epsom salt and baking soda in warm water and spray it on to hair. Keep it on for 10 minutes and rinse off with later on to get rid of hair color. Repeat it at least twice a week.
Crush up a vitamin C tablet (or any pre-ground vitamin C powder), add to water, and spritz onto your hair. Place your hair in a shower cap and let the natural, overnight lightening take place.
Permanent hair dye typically lasts for between four to eight weeks before it grows out or fades (more on that below).
Many people use vinegar as a scalp cleanser, but it can also remove hair dye, so use caution if that's not your intent. If it is, you can mix white vinegar with warm water and apply it to your hair to remove hair color. Allow it to sit for ten to fifteen minutes, then rinse.
"I recommend shampooing first and then saturating the hair with ACV." Once you massage the solution into the scalp, let it sit for three to five minutes before rinsing and conditioning as normal.
Choose the right type of vinegar for your needs: ACV is best for those with dry or curly hair, while white vinegar works well on oily or straight hair. Mix an appropriate ratio of water to vinegar: A good starting point is 1–2 tablespoons of vinegar per cup of warm water or cool water – depending on your preference.