How To Remove Toner From Hair

Many people use toner to revive the appearance of their colored hair, as it gives a new and enhanced look to it. It gives a silky touch to your colored hair and helps it shine. However, it is a different struggle altogether to remove toner from hair. This is because they may penetrate the hair strands at varying levels depending on their formula, thus making removal a harsh process. Incorrect and aggressive methods may also cause serious damage to the hair. So, in this article, we discuss various simple home remedies to remove toner from your tresses fairly quickly. In addition, we share some after-care tips that you should follow religiously to maintain healthy hair. Continue reading.

Should I Remove Toner From My Hair?

Yes, if you are not happy with the results. It is good to consult a professional hair stylist from a hair salon for the procedure as the toner removal process often makes the hair dry and brittle. You can also do it at home. However, you need to stick to a thorough after-care routine to restore hair health.

Hair toners fade over time, and you can quicken the process by frequently washing your hair. It may take around a month to completely wash out the toner from the hair. If you do not want to wait that long and remove the toner from your hair at home, follow the steps mentioned below.

4 Effective Methods To Remove Toner From Hair

You can try removing toner from your hair using basic everyday ingredients around the house. They make for budget-friendly solutions, but do note that individual results may vary. Check them out below.

1. Hydrogen Peroxide And Shampoo

Hydrogen peroxide has a strong bleaching capacity (1). Therefore, it might help to strip the toner from your hair.

You Will Need

• 100 ml of hydrogen peroxide solution
• 100 ml of a mild shampoo
• Rubber or plastic gloves

Process

1. Mix the ingredients and store the mixture in a spray bottle.
2. Spritz the mixture on your damp hair, focusing on areas with the toner.
3. Wear gloves and spread the solution evenly on the hair strands.
4. Wait for 2-5 minutes. Do not leave for any longer than 5 minutes.
5. Rinse well with lukewarm water.
6. Apply a hydrating conditioner and wash off with room temperature water.

2. Baking Soda And Shampoo

Baking soda is commonly known as a strong, antibacterial household cleaning agent (2). Anecdotal reports suggest it is a common practice to remove hair color with baking soda as an at-home hack. Therefore, it has led to the belief that, due to its abrasive nature, it may also help exfoliate the toner from your hair. Mixing it with a clarifying shampoo may help remove dirt and buildup from the hair and scalp.

You Will Need

• 2 tablespoons of baking soda
• 10 ml of clarifying shampoo

Process

1. Mix the baking soda and the shampoo.
2. Scrub your hair gently with this mixture.
3. Rinse your hair with lukewarm water.
4. Apply a nourishing conditioner.
5. Wash off with room temperature water.

Quick Tip

Keep the baking soda and shampoo mixture in your hair for at least 20 minutes before washing it off.

3. Lemon Juice And Conditioner

Lemon juice is known as a natural skin-bleaching agent (3). It also acts as a powerful antioxidant because it contains citrates, flavonoids, vitamin E, and vitamin C (4). Therefore, it might help gently remove toner from hair. It is an affordable natural option, but you must use it sparingly as it can dry out the hair. Use it within two days of using the toner.

Inge, a beauty vlogger, shared her experience of using lemon juice and conditioner to remove the blue, ashy tones in her hair (i). She said, “ There is a little bit of purple sheen almost to it, but the blue is gone.” She also suggested that this method be used just 24 hours after a hair color treatment for optimal results.

You Will Need

• 2 tablespoons of lemon juice (adjust the quantity as per your hair length)
• 15 ml of hydrating conditioner

Process

1. Mix the conditioner and lemon juice.
2. Apply it to your hair using your fingers or a wide-toothed comb.
3. Leave it on for 20-30 minutes. Cover your hair with a shower cap.
4. Wash your hair with lukewarm water.

4. Salt Water

According to anecdotal evidence, salt water can help remove toner from your hair by fading the color as exposure to salt helps scrub the dye from the hair.

You Will Need

• 1/4 cup table salt or sea salt
• A quart of warm water
• Shampoo
• Conditioner

Process

1. Mix salt into warm water and stir until the salt dissolves.
2. Wet your hair thoroughly.
3. Pour the salt water mixture over your hair and massage it into your hair.
4. Leave it on for 5-10 minutes.
5. Rinse your hair thoroughly with warm water.
6. Shampoo and condition your hair as usual.
7. Repeat as needed to fade the toner or hair dye gradually.

Follow these recipes to remove hair dye and remove green, blue, and ash toners from the hair. However, do note that some of these ingredients might not work for your hair, and can even backfire due to a lack of adequate precaution. Keep reading to learn more about the risks associated with hair toner removal using natural ingredients.

Potential Risks Of Removing Toner From Hair

While these methods can help fade toner from your hair, they may also have drawbacks. Here are some risks to consider:

• Over-Drying Of Hair: Ingredients like baking soda, lemon juice, and hydrogen peroxide can strip moisture from your hair, making it dry and brittle. Always follow up with a deep conditioning treatment.
• Scalp Irritation: Hydrogen peroxide and salt water can cause irritation, especially if you have a sensitive scalp. Do a patch test before applying these harsh ingredients to your hair and scalp.
• Uneven Color Removal: DIY methods might not remove toner evenly, leading to patchy results. Be prepared for a second round or professional help if needed.
• Damage From Frequent Treatments: Repeated use of clarifying shampoos and harsh ingredients can weaken hair strands over time. Limit frequent treatments and allow your hair time to recover.

You may consider the alternative solutions listed in the following section to help you with hair toner removal.

Alternative Solutions And Professional Treatments

If DIY methods do not work for you or if you are concerned about hair damage, consider these alternatives:

• Clarifying Shampoo: Instead of harsh treatments, use a clarifying shampoo every few washes to gradually fade the toner.
• Color-Removing Products: Professional-grade color removers are formulated to safely remove unwanted color without excessive dryness or damage. 
• Professional Toner Correction: A hairstylist can use a color-balancing procedure to neutralize unwanted tones without compromising hair health.
• Color-Safe Hair Treatments: If toner has left your hair too dark or ashy, a professional gloss or color correction service can help restore the desired shade without excessive processing.

If you are unsure which method is best for your hair type, consult a stylist for expert advice to achieve safe and effective results.

When choosing hair products for hair color removal, it’s important to opt for gentle, nourishing formulas that won’t damage or dry out your hair. However, to prevent dryness, you can also follow the after-care tips in the next section.

Tips To Care For Your Hair After Toner Removal

• Switch to a hydrating and mild shampoo that does not contain drying alcohols and sulfates. Go for shampoos containing ingredients like glycerin, plant oils, and xanthan gum.
• Always follow up with a nourishing conditioner.
• Use a deep conditioning mask at least once a week.
• Massage your scalp and hair ends with nourishing oils like coconut, almond, and jojoba oils.
• Avoid dye jobs immediately after removing the toner, as too much chemical processing can damage your hair.
• Get regular trims, especially if you notice dry or split ends.

Quick Tip

Avoid going through toner removal more than once in a span of one to two weeks to prevent further hair damage.

Infographic: Most Effective Ways To Remove Toner From Hair

Toners give hair a glossy, smooth texture. They improve hair appearance and help to balance out the hair color. However, they are hard to remove from one’s mane. The solution? Well, in this infographic, we have listed the most effective ways you can get that stubborn toner off your tresses. Take a look.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Does coconut oil remove toner from hair?

No, coconut oil may not remove toner from the hair. However, applying it to colored hair reduces the dryness and damage caused by the colored hair treatment.

How does Dawn dish soap remove toner?

When used on color-treated hair, the Dawn dish soap forms a chelating agent with the hair dye that can be washed out easily with water (this process is termed chelation).

Does vinegar remove hair toner?

Yes, white vinegar may help remove excess toner from the hair due to its acidic nature. However, you may need multiple applications or rinses to properly correct the faded hair color.

Does chlorine remove hair toner?

Yes, chlorine may remove hair toner but it may also dry out and damage your hair in the process.

How can you prevent an unwanted toner from appearing in your hair in the first place?

Be mindful of the developer-toner ratio (2:1) and use a brush to apply it on your hair to prevent excess toner in your hair.

Is it possible to use just conditioner to remove toner from hair?

Conditioner alone is unlikely to remove toner effectively. It is recommended to use clarifying shampoos or gentle treatments along with the conditioner for desired results.

Is it safe to remove toner from hair at home?

Removing toner at home can be safe if done carefully. Ensure to use gentle methods but better consult a professional if you are unsure.

Illustration: How To Wash Out Toner From Hair

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Learn how to remove hair toner using dish soap! To quickly and effectively get rid of unwanted toner in your hair use the simple method mentioned in the video. Go, take a look at

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Madison DufourBarber & Cosmetologist

       

Madison Dufour is a licensed and practicing barber and cosmetologist with 10 years of experience, as well as an entrepreneur running several hair businesses, including MadisonD Barbering and The Exquisite Find Hair Blog.

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Annie JangamBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

 

Annie Jangam is a researcher-turned-content writer with 11 years of experience. She enjoys dissecting complex clinical studies and shuffling through the scientific jargon to make science interesting and easy to understand.

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Ramona SinhaEditor

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal.

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Swathi ESenior Beauty & Lifestyle Writer

Swathi holds a postgraduate degree in English Literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and a diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Kottayam. With over three years of experience writing on beauty, health, and lifestyle, she is also a certified skin care coach.

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