Does your hair color appear too dark? Well, don’t panic!
I know how disappointing a major hair disaster could get, but there’s always an easy fix to this mishap!
Fortunately, there are natural methods of getting rid of dark hair color. With these simple techniques, there’s no need to wait for your hair to grow out!
In this article, we’ll talk about baking soda as a natural lightening agent.
So the question now is, can you use this household staple as a remedy to a dodgy dye job? Or perhaps you want to lighten your hair without using bleach. And if so, how do we go about it?
Well, continue reading to find out!
Will baking soda fade hair color?
Absolutely!
Aside from being an essential household product, baking soda works well as a scrubbing and lightening agent. It eliminates hair stains without compromising hair condition.
With a few washes, it’ll gradually strip off your hair color.
But there’s a catch…
Can you lighten your hair with just baking soda?
Nope. Baking soda alone won’t do the trick.
It’s not as simple as applying baking soda to your hair because you’ll need a couple of ingredients to mix with baking soda.
So now you might ask, what can I mix with baking soda to lighten my hair?
You can mix it with water, hydrogen peroxide, anti-dandruff shampoo, lemon juice, or dish soap.
1. Water and baking soda to lighten hair
Begin by mixing 1/2 cup of baking soda and warm water. Stir until it turns into a medium-thick paste. Avoid making it too watery or too thick. Otherwise, this method won’t work effectively.
Next, apply the paste to every portion of the hair. Massage your hair to ensure it’s evenly applied.
Let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes and rinse after. Apply a deep conditioner to replenish lost moisture.
This process won’t lighten naturally dark hair, but you can use it to strip off semi-permanent hair dye. This is because alkaline substances like baking soda can penetrate the hair cortex.
2. Anti-dandruff shampoo and baking soda to lighten hair
Mix 1 part anti-dandruff shampoo and 1 part baking soda in a bowl until it becomes a paste.
Before applying the mixture to your tresses, wet your hair with hot water first to help the hair cuticle become more permeable.
Next, thoroughly apply the paste to your strands and work it through your mane.
Wait for 15 minutes before rinsing. Remove remaining residues with regular shampoo and deep condition right after.
You may do this method twice a week.
3. Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda to lighten hair
Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide break down melanin in the hair, thereby lightening it. Here’s what you should do:
Simply fill a bowl with 1 cup baking soda and 2 tablespoon hydrogen peroxide.
Stir until you have a smooth paste. Next, apply the paste to your tresses. Make sure you wear gloves, as hydrogen peroxide irritates the skin.
Also, make sure the hair is evenly covered with the paste.
Wait for 30 minutes before you wash the paste away. Use shampoo to get rid of any remaining residues, and apply a deep conditioner to moisturize the hair.
You may repeat this process every 2 weeks until the hair is lightened completely.
4. Lemon juice and baking soda to lighten hair
Lemon is acidic, so this technique may damage the hair. So take caution!
Start by mixing ¼ lemon juice and ¼ baking soda in a bowl. Make sure there are no pulp or seeds.
Stir until you create a smooth texture. Next, work the paste through your hair strand by strand. And rinse after 15 minutes with shampoo and conditioner.
5. Dawn and baking soda to lighten hair
Dish soap also does the trick! And the most suitable product for this technique is the Dawn dishwashing liquid.
Its potent scrubbing formula quickly and effectively removes hair color while cutting through grease.
Mix 1 tablespoon dish soap and 3 tablespoon baking soda until you create a paste. Please don’t make it too thick or too thin!
Next, apply on your tresses, making sure it’s well covered. Let the mixture sit for 20 minutes before rinsing.
Use your regular shampoo to remove any traces.
Remember that dish soap is for cleaning dishes and not washing the hair. Hence, it may dry out and damage the tresses. So make this your last resort.
Only do this method 2-3 times and always deep condition to prevent harming the hair.
How much baking soda do I use to lighten my hair?
Again, baking soda alone won’t lighten the hair. So you’ll need other ingredients. The amount of baking soda depends on the method you’ll use.
Refer to the techniques mentioned earlier.
How can I lighten my hair naturally fast?
If you have dark-colored hair, you’ll probably need bleach to lighten them.
But it’s a total bummer how damaging bleach is to the tresses. But the good news is there are various natural bleaching agents you can try!
Apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, honey, chamomile tea, and lemon juice naturally lighten the hair without causing any damage.
Simply rinse the hair with warm water mixed with any of these ingredients. Next, air dry under the sun to amplify its lightening effect.
How long does it take for baking soda to lighten hair?
It depends on the technique you’ll use. But generally, baking soda lightens the hair in just 30 minutes to an hour.
It is a quick process and won’t take much of your time!
Can baking soda damage your hair?
Baking soda works wonders in lightening the hair. But sadly, it may damage the hair in the long run.
It has a pH of 9, which is higher than the scalp’s pH. Its high alkalinity depletes the hair’s natural oil, making it fragile and more prone to breakage, dryness, and frizz.
It has no moisturizing components, so it might break off the hair and irritate the scalp, especially if you have sensitive skin.
So if you have a dry and itchy scalp, stay away from baking soda.
Does baking soda remove permanent hair color?
Yes, baking soda also removes permanent hair color due to its natural lightening properties.
But it would be best if you paired it with anti-dandruff shampoo, lemon juice, or Epsom salt.
Anti-dandruff shampoos are more potent than regular ones as they contain a chemical called selenium sulfide that aids in quicker color fading.
Mix equal portions of baking soda with an anti-dandruff shampoo and apply it to your hair. Leave it in for 5 minutes, and then thoroughly rinse.
You may also opt for a lemon juice and baking soda mixture. The lemon’s acidity and the baking soda’s bleaching abilities are perfect for eliminating permanent hair color.
Begin by mixing baking soda and lemon juice in equal parts. Apply the mixture to your tresses and wait 5 minutes before rinsing off thoroughly.
You can also try Epsom salt.
Prepare warm water with equal parts of baking soda and Epsom salt. Put the mixture on a spray bottle and spritz on the hair. Let it sit for 10 minutes, and then rinse with water.
You can do this method twice a week until you finally get rid of the color.
The takeaway
Lightening the hair is made easy, thanks to baking soda!
But although this method effectively works, it may harm the hair in the long run. So whether you mix it with water, lemon juice, hydrogen peroxide, or dish soap, make sure to give your hair extra TLC right after.
Always condition and moisturize to restore lost moisture.
And if all else fails, consult your hairstylist. At the end of the day, they know what’s best for your crowning glory.