How Do I Change Permanent Color Back to Gray With Redken?

Returning colored hair back to its natural, gray color is possible, though not necessarily easy. The first step is to use a color-removal product that will strip the deposited hair color from the hair shaft. Depending on how dark the hair color you are removing, your natural hair may be stained, and all the hair color may not be removed with the color-removal product alone. If this occurs, you must bleach and tone the rest of the color out of your hair to return it to its natural color.

Things You'll Need

• Hair Color Remover
• Redken Bleach
• Redken 20 or 30 volume peroxide
• Redken Shades EQ hair color and developer

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Instructions

Color Removal

• 1

  Apply a color-removal product, designed to remove permanent hair color, to the hair. Carefully follow the product instructions and apply the product throughout the hair.

• 2

  Monitor your hair carefully. Color removal products can work quickly, so you or someone else must constantly watch the hair and note how light the hair is becoming.

• 3

  Rinse off the color-removal product. Once the hair is either back to its original, gray color or a pale blond, thoroughly rinse all traces of the color removal product from the hair immediately.

Bleaching and Toning

• 4

  Apply a Redken scalp-safe bleach to the hair, following the product's directions, with a 20 or 30 volume peroxide. Closely monitor the hair for color and elasticity. If the hair begins to break or become mushy, remove the bleach immediately.

• 5

  Rinse the bleach from the hair once the hair's color resembles a gray, white or very pale yellow color. You have now removed as much pigment from the hair as you can.

• 6

  Tone the hair. If the hair has any yellow tint to it, apply a violet-based, Redken Shades EQ semi-permanent hair color to act as a toner. Mix the color, according to the product instructions, and apply the toner throughout the hair. Wait the recommended time and rinse thoroughly.