Hair dyes are the go-to if you want a subtle color change. But what if you’ve mistakenly dyed your hair? Are salon trips necessary?
Well, not really. There are several ways to get rid of hair dye, and olive oil is one.
Yep, you’ve heard that right! Olive oil works as a dye remover too.
But before anything else, what exactly is olive oil?
From the name itself, olive oil comes from olives. It contains lots of antioxidants and has monounsaturated fatty acids, which health experts regard as a healthy fat.
It is widely used in cooking, medicine, and cosmetics. So, what does it do to the hair?
Well, olive oil works as a great hair conditioner and treatment.
Its antioxidants protect the hair from damage and replenish moisture in parched strands. It hydrates the scalp, making it clean and healthy. It can be used as a styling serum as well!
Now, how do you remove hair dye with olive oil? Continue reading to find out!
Does olive oil remove hair dye?
Absolutely! Unrefined olive oil works best for removing hair color, permanent and semi-permanent.
Olive oil has a greater molecular density than hair color, so it pushes the hair dye out once it penetrates through the strands.
Not to mention olive oil is a natural remedy that does not damage the hair. It is a fantastic hair treatment that strengthens the hair and reduces dryness.
How to remove hair dye with olive oil
The answer depends on whether you’re removing permanent or semi-permanent dye.
We’ll look into the steps one by one. So keep reading.
How to remove semi-permanent hair dye with olive oil?
Easy peasy! Apply olive oil to your hair and cover it with a shower cap. Leave it overnight and rinse it with shampoo and lukewarm water the following day.
You can also try olive oil and vinegar.
First, wash your hair with shampoo and air dry for 15 minutes. Next, apply the olive oil to your hair. Make sure that all strands are covered and rinse with warm water after 15 minutes.
Next, apply apple cider vinegar to your hair and then shampoo. Rinse it off after 20 minutes and condition it afterward.
Repeat as needed until the color is entirely removed. But make sure to condition your hair using either argan oil or coconut oil.
How to remove permanent black hair dye with olive oil
Removing permanent hair dye isn’t the same as removing semi-permanent ones. Here, olive oil is used as a hot oil treatment.
Begin by shampooing your hair and rinsing it with warm water. Be careful not to burn yourself.
Heat the olive oil, either in a pan or microwave, for 30 seconds. Check the oil’s temperature, making sure that it’s not too hot.
Wearing gloves, apply the warm oil to your damp hair. Saturate the strands from root to tip and gently massage the oil into the scalp.
Put on a shower cap and let it sit for 30 to 45 minutes. Thoroughly rinse your hair with warm water right after.
Give your hair a good wash with a clarifying shampoo. Massage it into your hair until the greasiness is gone.
Rinse with lukewarm water and dry your hair. You can also apply some conditioner.
Repeat the process at least once a week until you reach your desired shade. And wait for 3 days following the oil treatment before dyeing your hair again.
Pros and cons
Olive oil truly works wonders! But if you’re still unsure about using it as a dye remover, here’s a list of its pros and cons to help you decide.
The Pros
Olive oil is a natural and milder substitute for color removers.
As we all know, color removers contain abrasive chemicals that harm the hair. But with olive oil, there is no need to worry about it as it keeps the hair in good condition.
Olive oil dye removal is also a low-cost method for removing undesired colors. You may even have a bottle of olive oil in your household!
The Cons
Unfortunately, olive oil may not work with all hair colors. A more potent color remover is necessary for strong hues, such as violet or blue.
Also, olive oil may clog the scalp pores, thereby slowing hair growth. It may also leave the hair greasy and dirty.
And yep, this method takes a lot of time. You will need several applications for complete color removal. But if you have the patience and the time, this won’t be much of a problem.
Lastly, you may burn your scalp. Heated oil poses high risks for blisters and burns. And best believe that will hurt a bunch!
So here’s a tip — heat the olive oil for only 10-20 seconds, and always test it on the back of a spoon before putting it on the scalp.
Can I put olive oil in my hair after dyeing it?
If you’re using olive oil as a nourishing treatment, wait for at least 3 days before oiling your hair.
Ammonia in hair dyes alters the appearance and tint of your hair strands. It creates a new shade by passing through the cuticle and into the cortex, thereby affecting the hair shaft.
And if you didn’t know, the cuticle fully seals after 3 days. So oiling the hair while the cuticles remain open fades the color away. Hence, you should wait it out.
However, if you’re using olive oil as a color remover, then you may immediately apply it after dyeing.
Since the cuticle is open, it’ll be faster for the color to fade away. Putting olive oil on your newly color-treated hair gives it that dull and faded appearance.
The takeaway
So there you have it! Olive oil is a great color remover.
Aside from being cheap, it’s all-natural and less harmful to the tresses. Indeed, it’s the safest option available!
And the procedure is relatively simple. The only major downside is it may take several weeks to remove the color thoroughly.
If I were to decide, I’d rather wait than suffer from hair damage caused by harsh color removers.