Demystifying Hair Color Remover: Is Color Remover Bleach?

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With today's hair color trends of 2021, many look at the hair color chart and wonder which direction to take with their hair color. Have you recently visited your favorite hair salon wanting a color change and your stylist suggested a hair color remover? A color remover service is used for various circumstances; such as removing artificial hair dye, color build-up which is difficult to remove, corrective color, or lightening darker shades. It is important to know that color extraction is meant for artificially dyed hair, not virgin or pre-lightened hair. Many clients with fantasy shades such as purple, blue, or pink often use a hair color remover, such as permanent hair color remover, to remove the intense color pigment of the aforementioned direct dyes - then a new shade can be achieved. Hair colour removers are a safe and effective way to remove unwanted hair colour without damaging your hair. Whether you're looking to correct a color mistake or simply change your hair colour, a hair colour remover can help you achieve your desired look.

There are essentially 3 ways to remove color:

1) Bleach, is not recommended on damaged hair, and will often break or damage hair.

2) Color Extractor (remover) a non-aggressive version of bleach with the active ingredient "hydrosulfate." This process is far more gentle on hair, but keep in mind, hair will not be restored to its natural shade. After a Color Extractor service, the hair will often look a brassy shade, but it is ready to dye with the help of natural oils and a nourishing conditioner. However, be careful not to apply the color remover to your regrowth, as it may cause a lightening effect on those areas. For best results, shampoo and rinse thoroughly with warm water.

When extracting artificial black color, or heavily pigmented shades - a color stripper may need to be performed to allow for a blank canvas to work with especially when trying to make hair lighter or a pastel fashion shade. The good news is the color stripper does not have to stay on too long and is used to clean up the extra color pigment.

3) Effasol For decades bleach and Effasol were the only products on the market to remove color, Effasol is a gentler version of bleach, but can render the same result - damaged hair.  

A color remover such as "Pravana Artificial Hair Color Extractor" is top on my list! It is more gentle than similar products and gives the most consistent result.

A safe approach is to perform a strand test on a few strands of hair on the back of the head. Strand tests are recommended for most chemical services.

Is Color Remover Bleach?

When achieving highlights, if your hair is healthy, we may opt to use bleach with a low-volume developer. Color remover is not bleach. While color removers like Pravana Artificial Hair Color Extractor can be gentler on the hair compared to bleach, both can still potentially do less damage to the hair. It is crucial to assess the condition of your hair before considering a bleaching process, especially if it has already undergone color treatments. Performing a strand test is advisable to determine how your hair will react to any chemical service, including the removal of both artificial and natural color pigment. Is Color Remover Bleach?

What To Expect During A Color Extracting Service

1) A full evaluation of the health of your hair, must be healthy for this process. Understanding that one service may not be enough to achieve your desired color especially if hair contains lots of color build-up.

2) Clarifying shampoo wash to remove product build-up

3) Color remover applied under hair dryer with a cap. Hair should be closely monitored to avoid breakage etc.

4) After processed the remover is washed out. If there is an uneven result, the process can be done again only if the hair is healthy enough to withstand the procedure.

**When looking for lighter hair color (dark blonde to blonde shades), hair is dried and highlighted with bleach. This process "can" be done on healthier hair and often the only way to achieve hair color remover explained lighter shades.

5) Hair is dried and ready for a color application to achieve the desired shade. Many of my clients freak out at this point because their color is often not so attractive. 

Does Color Remover Work On Henna?

Not recommended! Henna does not respond well to most stripping services such as bleach, Effasol, and Remover. That is why telling your colorist if henna is in your hair is so important!

DIY Hair Colour Removal at Home

Color Removal is one of the most feared services for colorists and clients because the results are never guaranteed. My best advice is to seek a professional/experienced colorist. Please do not try this at home!

Color removal is a delicate process that requires expertise and caution to ensure the health and integrity of your hair and scalp. Attempting to remove color at home can lead to unpredictable results and potential damage. It is crucial to consult a professional colorist who can assess the condition of your hair and scalp and recommend the appropriate course of action, including the use of a hair-color removal process to strip away artificial color molecules. However, for those who prefer a DIY approach, there are consumer-friendly options available, such as Color Oops and Ion Color Brilliance Corrector Kit, which can be found at your local beauty supply store or on Amazon.

Consultation

It isn't enough to believe that hair color remover can deliver the desired results - it takes some research on the color you want to end up with, understanding the base color you have, skin tones, and the various types of hairstyling you are looking for. In today's hair options, you can transform a bad hair day with Veila Hair Extensions with brown hair color and blonde highlights, or black hair with chunky highlights, go all the way to ash blonde or light blonde - however, a color professional can guide you to the results you are looking for, starting with a consultation and using toner to achieve your desired hair color.

Ask Questions About Hair Color Removal - Hair Stripper

I would love to hear from you with questions, and comments, or share your story. Have you had a professional color stripper, or have you performed this process at home? We would love to hear about your experience and advice.