Hydrogen peroxide is a type of bleaching agent and is used in salons in combination with other chemicals to remove colour from hair. If you've recently coloured your hair at home or at the salon and are unhappy with the results but don't want to spend money to have the colour removed, you can remove the colour at home with hydrogen peroxide. The best way to tackle the problem of undesirable hair colour is to always colour a test strand first. If you don't like the results on the test strand, you'll know not to use the colour on your hair.

  • Hydrogen peroxide is a type of bleaching agent and is used in salons in combination with other chemicals to remove colour from hair.
  • If you've recently coloured your hair at home or at the salon and are unhappy with the results but don't want to spend money to have the colour removed, you can remove the colour at home with hydrogen peroxide.
Apply peroxide evenly and easily with a spray bottle.

Fill a spray bottle with undiluted 3-per cent hydrogen peroxide. Spray your hair with the peroxide, saturating it completely. Comb the peroxide through your hair and allow it to sit for 15 minutes.

Dampen an old cloth with cool water and wipe the hair dye off a test section. Look in the mirror to see if the hair dye has been effectively stripped by the hydrogen peroxide. If not, apply more peroxide to the test section and allow it to sit another 10 minutes.

Wash your hair thoroughly with a clarifying shampoo. Clarifying shampoos are known to strip hair dye from hair, so the shampoo will aid in removing the unwanted hair colour.

Condition your hair for 15 to 30 minutes using a deep conditioner. Hydrogen peroxide is very drying to the hair and you'll need to replace lost moisture.

  • Dampen an old cloth with cool water and wipe the hair dye off a test section.
  • Hydrogen peroxide is very drying to the hair and you'll need to replace lost moisture.

Repeat the entire process, if needed, to fully remove the hair colouring dye from your hair. Dark-coloured hair dyes may require several peroxide applications for removal.

WARNING

Wear old clothing or wrap a towel around your clothing so the hydrogen peroxide doesn't bleach the fabric. Repeated use of hydrogen peroxide on hair can cause breakage. Use it once or twice to remove hair colour, then see a hair colour specialist if any hair colouring dye remains.