How to Get Red Out of Hair: 10 Ways & Methods to Remove Red Dye (Best Tips & Detailed Instructions)

You will get millions of search results if you enter the “how to get red out of hair” term on Google. Red hair color is one of the popular choices for all hair types, from long, short, straight, curly or wavy. Red hair color is more than just a shade; it’s an attitude.

Redheads are known to be fun, fierce, and always ready to take on the world. If you desire a red hair shade, you are not alone.
Red hair color can be naturally looking depending on the skin tone.

The hues can be altered and vary from copper, strawberry and auburn to burgundy. However, as stunning as red hair color is, it can be incredibly challenging to remove. That’s because it leaves behind a brassy, orange tint that can take a while to fade.

If you’ve dyed your hair in the past, you must be familiar with the term brassiness. The term is used to refer to hair color showing too much warmth. To properly eliminate unwanted tinges, you must address what kind of brass you’re experiencing.

The yellow tint is more common regarding platinum hair and brassy blonde or orange hair color for brunettes. If you have black or dark brown hair, your color might, in time, fade to a reddish shade. This article will explain how to get red out of hair for good.

Keep reading to find out.

Methods of Removing Red Color

Red hair color is a fantastic choice for anyone who wants to change their look. However, sometimes you may need to switch to a different color. Here are a few methods to remove red hair color, whatever the case.

Use a Color Stripper

Color strippers are great at removing red tones from hair. They, however, work only when the hair has been dyed. If your natural hair color is red, a color stripper won’t work.

Bleach

If a color stripper doesn’t work on your hair, consider bleaching your hair. Pick the best bleach and get to work. Try removing as much red as possible using a color stripper before you bleach your hair.

Use a Color-Removing Product

A color-removing product is similar to using hair dye. There are so many products in the market formulated to remove hair dye.

The only problem is that some contain harsh chemicals that might dry out and damage your tresses. Pick a product from a local pharmacy or beauty store, that is, if you don’t mind damaging your hair.

Wash Hair With Dish Soap (Naturally)

Dish soap can also strip the red from your hair, although it is not as effective. Use the soap as you would regular shampoo. Wash your hair with it daily until all the color is gone. The high levels of sulfates contained in dish soap help remove the color.

Use Vitamin C Powder

Vitamin C powder is another solution to remove the red color from your hair. Get regular vitamin C tablets, crash about a dozen, and mix the powder with two parts shampoo. Use clarifying shampoo for the best results.

Work the solution into your damp hair to create a lather, and then cover the hair with a cap and let it sit for about an hour before rinsing off. Vitamin C is an excellent option since it is less damaging than other removal methods.

You may apply the solution multiple times to eliminate all the red dye.

Color Over Your Red Hue At Home

The best way to do that is to go darker. If you want a dark color, this is the best way to go about it. You can use at-home dye over your red hair to overhaul the color. The question is, does box dye damage hair?

Due to their strong developers, box dyes can leave your hair dry and damaged. That’s why you are better off going to a professional.
When coloring over your red hue, stick to warm-toned blacks and browns, as these work best with the undertones of red hair.

Green Shampoo To Remove Red

The shampoo works the same way as one removes green from blonde hair. This is an excellent method when your hair isn’t red but has red undertones.

The method uses the principle of the color wheel, where you identify colors that sit across from each other. In the case of red tones, you will need to use green shampoo to neutralize the tones.

Allow the Color to Fade Naturally

If you are suffering from a bad case of terrible dye application, waiting for the red color to fade or for the hair to grow out is the last thing you want. Based on the average hair growth rate of six inches a year, you would instead turn to other methods.

However, if you are okay with waiting, it’s worth a try if all other options are off the table. The color will quickly fade out if you use semi or demi-permanent shades. If you used permanent dye, the strands would grow out.

Remove It As Soon As Possible

Try removing the red shade from your hair as soon as you realize you made a mistake. The quicker you get the dye out, the easier the process.

Try and remove the dye within 48 hours. If you dyed your hair weeks or months ago, that’s a different ball game. You might not remove as much color as you would like unless you use semi-permanent or demi-permanent color.

Go to a Professional

A professional hair colorist is the best person to turn to once you realize that you want the red out of your hair. A professional will quickly remove your dye with safe products that won’t damage your strands.

How to Remove Red Out of Hair

As you have seen, there are several ways to remove the red color from your hair. It’s essential to decide which treatment you want to use to cover the red and stick to it. For instance, applying a darker color or using a bleach bath might work.

Ideally, red hair dye fades quicker than other colors, but it’s more likely to leave a few traces behind in the forms of tones and highlights against your original hair color or dye, which might require some extra steps to remove.

Using Green Toning Shampoo

Green shampoo is the best option to get red out of your hair. You can buy green toning shampoo at your local drugstore or make yours at home by adding two or three drops of green food coloring or green dye to your regular shampoo.

The green tones within the shampoo help counteract the red dye on your strands.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to neutralize red tones with green shampoo:

Step 1 – Dampen your hair and apply the shampoo

Dampen your hair and then apply your green shampoo throughout your tresses. It’s one of the best hot root treatments. Section your hair into four parts to make the application easier.

Ensure that the curls are entirely coated with shampoo in case of naturally curly hair. Let the shampoo sit on your hair for the recommended time and 5 to 10 minutes if you made your green shampoo at home.

Step 2 – Rinse your hair

Rinse your hair and check if the red tones are entirely gone. If they are not, you need to reapply the shampoo again and leave it on for a few more minutes.

Step 3 – Finish off with a conditioner

Once all the red tones are gone and you’re satisfied with the results, apply a deep conditioner to your strands. The conditioner helps moisturize the teases. Style your hair into an appropriate style. 

Note: If you make your green shampoo at home using food color, ensure you use it sparingly, too much may result in a green mess that’s hard to get rid of.

Ash Color Hair

Ash shades are referred to as calming tones, which makes them great for neutralizing red tones. A permanent or semi-permanent ash hair dye will remove the red from your hair.

Here’s how to go about that:

Step 1 – Apply Vaseline along the hairline

This helps create a barrier between the hair and the dye. Also, remember to wear an old t-shirt and gloves since things can get very seem.

Step 2 – Shampoo your hair

If you use a semi-permanent ash color, shampoo your hair first, but don’t apply anything else posy-wash. You want the hair cuticles to remain open to absorb the color. If you are using a permanent hair dye, there’s no need to shampoo your hair first.

Step 3 – Part your hair into a few sections

For easier application, part your hair into four to six sections.

Step 4 – Mix the ash dye

Follow the instructions of the manufacturer for the best results.

Step 5 – Apply the ash shade

Apply the shade to your hair, starting from the tips to the roots ensuring that you cover all the strands.

Step 6 – Cover your hair with a processing cap

This allows time for the hair to process. Again, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions on how long to leave the dye.

Step 7 – Rinse and style your hair

Rinse your hair thoroughly, ensuring that all the hair color washes away. If the manufacturer suggests applying shampoo and conditioner, do that. Once done, dry your hair and then style it appropriately.

Hair Color Corrector

If none of the above work, try a color corrector such as Color Oops. It helps neutralize or remove red tones from the hair. Although similar to bleach, color correctors aren’t as harsh on your hair.

They enter the hair shaft and break down the red color molecules. It’s a great way to lighten hair with no bleach. Color correctors are helpful when all other methods of neutralizing the red haven’t worked. Use color correctors as you would use box dye.

Tips for Maintaining Hair Color After Removing Red Tones

Once you’ve succeeded in removing red tones from your hair, you need to protect your hair from damage.

Here are a few ways to maintain hair color after removing red shades:

• Switch to shampoos that don’t contain parabens and sulfates; instead, use shampoos with natural cleansers.
• Use a conditioner that matches your hair length, type, and treatment damage; a good rule of thumb is to deep condition your hair once a week.
• Moisturize your hair by applying almond, castor, coconut, olive, or lavender oils.
• Use a wide-toothed combed to comb your hair before drying. Removing the red color will put your hair under a lot of stress, so to minimize more damage, apply a gentle touch when styling it.
• After washing your hair, let it dry naturally.
• Avoid heat styling; while at it, avoid styling your hair too much or in overly tight styles.
• Refrain from brushing your hair too much, which can lead to frizz and split ends.
• Trim your hair every six to eight weeks to remove split ends.

Things to Consider

Here are a few things to consider when it comes to removing red shades from your hair:

• Muted ash tones are found in multiple color products. If you want to remove red tones from your hair, apply an ash tone.
• If your hair is a lighter shade, opt for ash blonde; if it’s darker, use ash brown to tone down the red.
• Use a temporary or semi-permanent dye to remove unwanted red tones; use a semi-permanent solution for ash brown or blonde. Always go for a dye with the same permanence level as the original product you used.
• Good hair care is vital to reduce the signs of damage after using hair dye removal. Depending on the dye’s intensity, you may require more than one application to tone down or remove the red shades.
• Avoid washing your hair too often, and if you must, skip the shampoo.
• Clarifying shampoo is the best product when removing red tones from your hair. The product contains natural ingredients, so you never have to worry about mineral build-ups or other materials that may further damage your hair.

FAQ

How difficult is it to remove the red shade from your hair?

Red hair color doesn’t fade as quickly as other shades, which makes it harder to remove.

Does clarifying shampoo help with removing red color from your hair?

Clarifying shampoo is the best option to remove red tones from your hair.

Does green shampoo remove the red color from hair?

The green shampoo helps to neutralize the red color, but if you are a natural redhead, consider bleaching your hair instead.

How long does red hair color last?

Red hair color usually lasts about four weeks.