We have found evidence that the ancient Egyptians used henna to give their hair a reddish tint - with the earliest record being from around 1500 B.C. - but despite having been around for thousands of years, it's only very recently that members of the general public have been able to get their hands on a product that effectively removes hair dye! The first hair dye removal product in the UK was Colour B4, and this has since been joined on the market by similar products.
For this quick guide, however, we shall focus on ColourB4, as it is probably still the most popular and best known hair colour remover available to UK consumers. We shall look at the process involved in the hair dye removal process when using Color B4, and any precautions that need to be taken to ensure that the hair dye is removed effectively.
Before you start, you should make sure that you've completely covered any nearby surfaces. The reason for this is that the dye removed by a hair colour remover such as Colour B4 can stain surfaces. You should also cover yourself with a cape made from a black bin liner and wear thin protective gloves.
It is also recommended that you conduct a couple of tests before you continue with the hair dye removal process. Apply the mixed solution to a small section of hair (no more than one centimeter wide) and leave to develop for the recommended amount of time. This way, you can see the eventual colour before you commit to removing the dye across your whole head.
If you suffer from sensitive skin or allergies, however, before you even conduct the hair strand test, you should make sure that you are not going to experience any adverse affects from using a product such as ColourB4. To do this mix a very small amount of the solution and apply the product behind your ear with a cotton bud. Remove after 24 hours with a water or cleanser - or if you experience irritation, you should wash off it off immediately. For most people, however, Color B4 should not cause any irritation, because it does not contain ammonia or bleach.
If you're satisfied that you want to go back to the color before you dyed your hair, then the next step is to mix the solution. Most products such as Colour B4 come in two parts - a 'remover' and an 'activator'. These can be easily mixed in a single bottle, and poured into a tint bowl if desired.
Apply the hair colour remover to the areas of your hair that you want to return to the colour before. You can apply ColourB4 with fingertips (but make sure you wear gloves) or with a brush. You should use a large toothed comb to separate your hair into sections when applying, as this will make sure that the hair dye removal product is applied evenly.
You should then wait in a warm room for at least thirty minutes (as recommended for most products). Ensure that there are no cold drafts which could slow down the process. If you have long or thick hair, you might want to cover your hair with cling film to make sure that it is warm enough - the solution should then get rid of all color before the film is removed.
Once you've waited for the recommended amount of time, you must rinse the hair colour remover from your hair. Rinse for at least five minutes, or ten minutes for longer hair. Many products such as Color B4 come with a 'buffer' - a special conditioner that will strengthen your hair. You should apply this after the first rinse, leave for the recommended length of time and then rinse again (for another five minutes, at least). Buffer again, and rinse as you would for a normal shampoo.
Now you should be ready to dry your hair and check out the results! Make sure that your hair is completely dry before you judge the shade - the colour before it dries is likely to look darker. If you still feel that there is dye in your hair, you can repeat the process, but don't use a product such as Colour B4 more for than three applications at any one time.
For this quick guide, however, we shall focus on ColourB4, as it is probably still the most popular and best known hair colour remover available to UK consumers. We shall look at the process involved in the hair dye removal process when using Color B4, and any precautions that need to be taken to ensure that the hair dye is removed effectively.
Before you start, you should make sure that you've completely covered any nearby surfaces. The reason for this is that the dye removed by a hair colour remover such as Colour B4 can stain surfaces. You should also cover yourself with a cape made from a black bin liner and wear thin protective gloves.
It is also recommended that you conduct a couple of tests before you continue with the hair dye removal process. Apply the mixed solution to a small section of hair (no more than one centimeter wide) and leave to develop for the recommended amount of time. This way, you can see the eventual colour before you commit to removing the dye across your whole head.
If you suffer from sensitive skin or allergies, however, before you even conduct the hair strand test, you should make sure that you are not going to experience any adverse affects from using a product such as ColourB4. To do this mix a very small amount of the solution and apply the product behind your ear with a cotton bud. Remove after 24 hours with a water or cleanser - or if you experience irritation, you should wash off it off immediately. For most people, however, Color B4 should not cause any irritation, because it does not contain ammonia or bleach.
If you're satisfied that you want to go back to the color before you dyed your hair, then the next step is to mix the solution. Most products such as Colour B4 come in two parts - a 'remover' and an 'activator'. These can be easily mixed in a single bottle, and poured into a tint bowl if desired.
Apply the hair colour remover to the areas of your hair that you want to return to the colour before. You can apply ColourB4 with fingertips (but make sure you wear gloves) or with a brush. You should use a large toothed comb to separate your hair into sections when applying, as this will make sure that the hair dye removal product is applied evenly.
You should then wait in a warm room for at least thirty minutes (as recommended for most products). Ensure that there are no cold drafts which could slow down the process. If you have long or thick hair, you might want to cover your hair with cling film to make sure that it is warm enough - the solution should then get rid of all color before the film is removed.
Once you've waited for the recommended amount of time, you must rinse the hair colour remover from your hair. Rinse for at least five minutes, or ten minutes for longer hair. Many products such as Color B4 come with a 'buffer' - a special conditioner that will strengthen your hair. You should apply this after the first rinse, leave for the recommended length of time and then rinse again (for another five minutes, at least). Buffer again, and rinse as you would for a normal shampoo.
Now you should be ready to dry your hair and check out the results! Make sure that your hair is completely dry before you judge the shade - the colour before it dries is likely to look darker. If you still feel that there is dye in your hair, you can repeat the process, but don't use a product such as Colour B4 more for than three applications at any one time.
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