Nothing is more frustrating than getting your hair colored only to discover after a few days or weeks that the color has faded or has brassy tones. Unfortunately, the issue could be with the shampoo you use.

Hair color and dye can be removed with a clarifying shampoo. However, these types of permanent hair colors cannot be corrected or reversed by clarifying shampoos.

Learn why using clarifying shampoo on colored hair is a no-no and which color-safe products work best to prolong the vibrancy of your hair’s color by reading on.

The Science Behind Removing Hair Dye With Clarifying Shampoo

The same components that make clarifying shampoo effective at removing buildup and gunk from your hair also help it be effective at removing dyes.

Read More: How to Know If a Shampoo is Color Safe

Almost like an exfoliator for your hair, clarifying shampoo helps remove buildup. It helps you reset or detox your hair by scrubbing out anything that adheres to the fibers. Since this deep-cleansing product has a higher PH formulation, it can loosen the grip semi-permanent colorants have on your hair.

The keratin treatments can also be reversed using this method!

The general safety of this method is what makes it our preferred method for removing hair dye. With minimal hair damage, a clarifying shampoo thoroughly cleans. Undying your hair with a strong bleaching agent is possible, but the results may be more difficult to manage and result in less healthy hair.

How to Remove Hair Dye With Clarifying Shampoo?

Let’s get down to the details. The truth is that using a clarifying shampoo to remove hair dye isn’t any harder than using a regular shampoo.

Contrary to regular shampoo, you’ll want to make sure to use a moisturizing conditioner after your clarifying shampoo treatment. Restoring your hair’s moisture through this will help.

1. Wet Your Hair

Your hair should first be soaked in warm water. You can better distribute the shampoo if your hair is completely wet.

Read More: Do You Shampoo After Bleaching Before Coloring

2. Apply the Clarifying Shampoo

Applying the clarifying shampoo is now ready. Use more shampoo if you want a deeper shade. For your hair, massage it in.

3. Place a Plastic Cap over Your Head

It’s time for the clarifying shampoo to start working its magic. Once the cap is on, continue using the shower as usual while allowing your hair to stay inside for ten minutes.

This brings you closer to your natural hair color by allowing the steam from your warm hair to lift up the cuticles and melt the dye from your strands.

4. Remove Cap and Rinse

You can start rinsing your hair once the allotted 10 minutes have passed. Rinse until the water is clear and you start to see some colors washing out as well.

5. Add in the Moisturizing Conditioner

As we already mentioned, this formula’s high PH aids in removing buildup, color pigment, and other residues that our hair tends to retain. To lower the pH once more, seal the cuticles, and prevent dryness and frizz, a moisturizing conditioner should be used after the clarifying procedure.

Another option is a moisturizing max. Then you should let it sit in your hair for up to 15 minutes.

When to Clarify Colored Hair After Dyeing?

Ammonia is used in the dyeing procedure to lift the hair cuticles and allow the dye to penetrate the hair shafts. Open cuticles, however, have a harder time retaining color.

After dying your hair, you should wait at least a week before using a clarifying shampoo if you want to keep the color. Your cuticles will have enough time to close and seal in the color if you do this.

How Long Does It Take for a Clarifying Shampoo to Fade Hair Dye?

After washing your hair and watching the color disappear down the drain, you now notice that there is still color in your hair when you look in the mirror.

That makes complete sense. You may require multiple washes, depending on the dye you used, the state of your hair, and the type of hair you have. In fact, semi-permanent hair color removal with clarifying shampoos typically requires up to 5 washes.

Since the majority of semi-permanent hair colors are made to last for 15-20 washes, they will also fade with frequent washings. A clarifying shampoo, however, is ideal if you want to quicken the process.

Do You Need a Clarifying Shampoo?

Clarifying shampoo can be a wonderful addition to your hair care routine even though it may not be absolutely necessary. You’ll benefit from a recurring deep clean if you have hard water or frequently use styling products. You can even use some clarifying shampoos to treat psoriasis and dandruff on your scalp.

If you’re still trying to decide, here are some signs your hair could use a clarifying treatment:

• Your hair is stiff and dull. There may be buildup if your hair is dull and stiff. Your hair is covered in product residue, which prevents water from getting to the strands. Your hair will dry out and become more prone to breakage if the residue isn’t removed.
• You frequently use silicones, oils, or powerful styling aids. Even though your hair may feel fine, these products may leave behind residue. Therefore, as a preventative measure, we urge you to clarify your hair about once a month. Before the residue can cause issues, it will be removed.
• Hair care products aren’t as effective as they once were. Product buildup may be to blame if you notice that your moisturizing and styling products aren’t working as well as they should. Other products cannot penetrate the residue, keeping them from reaching your hair.
• You have hard water. Hard water is found in up to 90% of American homes. Calcium and magnesium are among the many dissolved minerals found in hard water. These minerals can leave a film on your hair after they settle on it, which can accumulate over time. Additionally, color-treated hair may fade or develop a greenish tint when exposed to hard water.
• Despite being washed, your hair still feels dirty. Even after washing, if your hair still feels greasy or sticky, product residue may have remained. In contrast to regular shampoo, clarifying shampoo can remove oils and residue.

Final Words

If you don’t take the necessary precautions, clarifying shampoo can fade the color of your hair, as we hope this article has demonstrated. Choose a clarifying shampoo that won’t preserve your color if you want it to fade; otherwise, use one that will. Wishing you luck with your colored hair!

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