How to remove toner from hair

By: | Last Updated: May 4, 2022

Hair toner is a hair product used after a color treatment. It corrects your hair color and enhances its tonality. 

The product is a game-changer as it reduces brassiness and yellow hues for bleached hair and adds subtle color change for dyed hair. 

Also, toner only acts as a stain, so it does not penetrate the hair shaft. And they are usually found in glosses, gels, and demi-permanent colors. 

Tinted shampoos and conditioners are considered toners too! 

However, toner application doesn’t always go as planned. 

As a result, it leaves the hair with patches of unintended colors like yellow, purple, or orange. It darkens the hair in some instances too! 

But hope is not lost. You can still remove toner from your tresses by following some techniques.

Keep reading to know how you can remove toner from your hair! 


What is the fastest way to remove toner from hair?

What is the fastest way to remove toner from hair

Toners fade over time. But the question is, what is the fastest way of removing them from your tresses?

Well, using a clarifying shampoo speed up the removal process. Clarifying shampoos contain surfactants that remove nasty impurities on your tresses, such as artificial hair color. 

Apply clarifying shampoo the same way as any other shampoo. And leave it in the hair for a couple of minutes before rinsing.

Also, you need to wash your hair several times to ensure thorough removal. 

Don’t worry, though. Using clarifying shampoos more than once in the same day won’t do any harm as long as you immediately rehydrate your tresses.

So always use a hair mask or deep conditioner right after. 


How long does it take for toner to wash out of your hair?

Most manufacturers measure a toner’s lifespan in weeks.

Homemade toners usually wash out within 3 weeks, while professional toners wash out after 5 weeks.

However, longevity also depends on how often you wash your tresses — the more frequent, the quicker it’ll wash out. 

Using sulfate shampoos and heat-styling tools also accelerates fading. 


How to get toner out of blonde hair?

You can remove toner out of blonde hair with these 3 products — dish soap, anti-dandruff or clarifying shampoo, and lemon juice. 

First, wash your tresses with an anti-dandruff or clarifying shampoo, then rinse. You can mix baking soda with your shampoo for a better result. Do this 2-3 times. 

Next, wash your hair with dish soap and thoroughly rinse. Repeat this step 2-3 times.

Lastly, apply lemon juice to your tresses. Leave it on for 15 minutes and rinse with lukewarm water afterward. 

Repeat the process until the toner is completely removed from your blonde hair.

 

How to remove toner from hair at home?

How to remove toner from hair at home

Ran out of clarifying shampoos? 

No problem! Turns out that home items like baking soda, lemon, dish soap, and hydrogen peroxide remove toners too! 

Baking soda

Baking soda is a good household cleaner. It’s a gentle abrasive product, easily removing dirt and grease. 

It’s commonly used in cleaning sinks, tiles, and drains. 

And surprisingly, baking soda also removes toner from your hair. 

The first technique is mixing it with a clarifying shampoo. 

Adding baking soda to your clarifying shampoo quickens the process.  Simply add a half teaspoon of baking soda to the clarifying shampoo and apply the mixture to your tresses. 

Leave it there for a few minutes and rinse it thoroughly with lukewarm water. Apply a deep conditioner after that! 

Mixing baking soda with vinegar is another option. 

This mixture produces the same effect as clarifying shampoos. Simply combine the two products and apply the mixture to the hair. 

But be careful with this technique! Using baking soda and vinegar often on the hair causes frizz and dryness. 

Lemon juice

Lemon also removes toner because of its oxidizing and natural bleaching properties. The acid in lemons strips toner from the higher and lightens it.  It’s an all-natural product, making it the safest option. 

In doing this method, simply extract the juice from the lemon. Once extracted, combine it with a high-quality conditioner. The recommended ratio is 3 parts lemon and 1 part conditioner. 

Next, apply the mixture to your tresses and spread evenly using a wide-toothed comb.

Leave it on the hair for 30 minutes and cover it with a shower cap for deep penetration. Rinse with lukewarm water after. 

Also, use this method within two days after using your hair toner. And use sparingly as it can dry out the tresses.

Dish soap

Dish soap also does the trick!  

It does not only remove tough stains on fabrics but also helps remove toner from the hair.

And mixing it with lemon juice provides a more drastic result. 

First, wash the tresses with a small amount of dish soap and rinse afterward. Next, directly squeeze a lemon into your mane. Wait for at least 3 hours before rinsing, and then apply a deep conditioner.

Hydrogen Peroxide 

Hydrogen peroxide is an option too! 

Simply mix hydrogen peroxide with water and apply it to the hair. Rinse and condition afterward. 

You can also mix hydrogen peroxide with shampoo. Spray the mixture directly on your moist tresses. Rinse with lukewarm water after 5 minutes and apply a hair conditioner. 

Remember that hydrogen peroxide is a chemical compound that may cause hair damage. So make it your final resort. 


How to remove toner from hair without damage?

Clarifying shampoos are the least abrasive in eliminating toner from hair. They are less stripping and harsh compared to other methods.

Lemon juice as well! 

As mentioned a while ago, it is the safest way of removing toner from your tresses because of its natural bleaching properties. 

But although these two methods are the least damaging, you shouldn’t use them excessively. Otherwise, they may strip sebum out of the hair, leaving it dry and brittle


How to wash purple toner out of hair?

Purple toners may surprise you with unexpected color changes. This usually happens because of improper application.

So how can you wash purple toner out of your tresses? 

Well, like ordinary hair toners, you can remove purple toners with clarifying shampoos, baking soda, and lemon.

Simply follow the same steps mentioned earlier. 

Anti-dandruff shampoos, commercial color remover, and bleach also do wonders!

Anti-dandruff shampoos 

This is a good alternative to clarifying shampoos because of their anionic surfactants. 

However, it may take several washes to fully eliminate the undesirable hair color.

Commercial color remover

A color remover effectively removes dyes and stains. And not just that, it also helps remove purple toner. 

However, it is potentially damaging, so make this your last resort. 

Bleach 

You should only use this method when dealing with large amounts of purple toner.  

Simply mix the bleach powder with a 10-volume developer. Combine the bleach mixture with your shampoo and apply it to your hair. 

Leave it on for 2 minutes and rinse thoroughly. 

Remember that bleach is an aggressive agent which causes hair damage. So take caution. 


How to remove dark toner from hair?

How to remove dark toner from hair

Dark toner eventually fades away after a couple of washes.

But use a bar of gentle dish soap instead of shampoo when washing your tresses. 

Rinse off the dish soap and apply lemon citrus to the hair. Let it sit on your tresses for a few minutes before rinsing it out. 

And tada, goodbye dark toner! 


How to remove toner from hair professionally?

Hair professionals remove toners from your tresses using a soap cap

Lightening powder and developer are combined in a color bowl with 2 ounces of shampoo.

The mixture is then applied to the stained areas using a color brush.  

Hair professionals usually leave the mixture on the hair for 10 minutes and may reapply the mixture until the toner is fully removed. 

Once removed, rinse hair with shampoo and lukewarm water. And towel-dry right after. 


How to remove toner from hair extensions?

Similar to natural hair, clarifying shampoos, anti-dandruff shampoos, baking soda, dish soap, and bleach powder also remove toner from hair extensions. 

You can also use vitamin C tablets. Simply crush 15 to 30 tablets and mix them into your shampoo. Apply the mixture to your extensions and rinse with lukewarm water after a few hours. 

For purple toners, try toning your extensions with yellow or orange. This neutralizes the purple color, thereby restoring your old hair color. 


How to remove ash and grey toner from hair?

Like any other toner, clarifying shampoos, lemon juice mixture, color remover, bleach powder, and hydrogen peroxide paste effectively remove ash toner from your tresses.

On the other hand, you can remove grey toner with clarifying shampoos, lemon juice mixture, and baking soda mixed with shampoo.

Simply follow the process already mentioned earlier.  

CHECK OUT: Does toner darken hair


The bottom line

So there you have it! 

There are numerous techniques for removing toner from your tresses.

But whatever method you choose, always take caution. Remember that your hair has already been processed, so it’s more susceptible to damage. 

Always establish a hair care routine after the removal process. This helps rehydrate the hair, making it vibrant and healthy! 

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