Expert: Ellen Saxe - 9/28/2007

Question
Hi. I'm naturally a dishwater blond and had been highlighting (not super excessively) for years. Almost 2 years ago I decided to go to a deep warm brown. I have had my hair colored with semi-permanent color about 5 times since then.

Now I am wanting to go back to my natural color. I figure that most of my highlights have grown out and been trimmed off by now and that I am all natural under the semi-permanent color. The darkness has definitely faded but it is no where near blond (except for near my uncolored roots!)

I have discussed this with my stylist who believes a "bleach wash/shampoo" would be the best way to remove the color. However, I do not want to permanently alter the "natural" color that exists under what has been deposited. What I am wondering is if there is a product or technique (that I can pass along to my stylist) that can be used to gently remove the remaining color without using permanent lightening products. I head something about a vegetable-based product but do not recall the specifics. I have quite fine hair (but a lot of it) and I am not opposed to a process that would be gradual. Thanks in advance for your help!

Answer
Hi Kim:

There are "artifical color remover" products that remove the artifical color, and do not touch natural color. You want to use an artifical color remover and NOT bleach at all.

It is not the same as a "bleach color wash".  Your stylist should be aware of these products.  There are several on the market such as Color Zap, Color Fix.  

The artifical color should be removed to the level blonde you want. You may have to apply a blonde color over your hair after dark color is removed.  (Sometimes when removing artifical color back to blonde you may be a warm golden or yellow.)  Then you can allow your hair to grow out naturally.

If you have any other questions, please ask.

Ellen