How to Make Hair Stripper

By: Natalie Schwab

Updated On: September 28, 2017

Brand X Pictures/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images

Hair stripping, also known as color correcting, is the process of removing unwanted dye from your hair to get it back to its natural color. Hair strippers often contain high amounts of bleach, which makes the hair more porous and allows the color to be removed. If you want to remove the dye from your hair, be aware that hair stripping can leave the hair dry and damaged. There are also natural ways to remove color from your hair, although you may not see results as quickly.

Bleach Hair Stripper

Cover your nose and mouth with a surgical face mask, or tie a bandana around your nose and mouth, to keep the bleach from burning your nose.

Mix 1/8 cup of bleach and 1/8 cup of 20-volume developer in a plastic bowl. Use a color brush to mix the two well.

Add 1/4 cup of clarifying shampoo and stir it in well.

Put on latex gloves and massage the mixture into your hair. You can use your hands or a color brush. Avoid getting the stripper on your scalp as the bleach can burn.

Work the mixture through your hair, roots to ends.

Twist your hair up and clip it so it stays in place.

Cover your hair with a shower cap or plastic grocery bag.

Check your hair every three to five minutes to see if the color is lifting. It may take up to 15 minutes to completely remove the color.

Throughly rinse your hair and wash it with shampoo and moisturizing conditioner.

Apply a leave-in conditioner or olive oil mask to help the hair regain moisture, as the bleach can be damaging.

Natural Hair Strippers

Mix lemon juice with cream of tartar until it forms a paste. Apply the mixture to your hair from roots to ends and leave it in for 15 minutes. Rinse your hair thoroughly.

Mix 1/4 cup of baking soda with 1/4 cup of shampoo. Lather the mixture into your hair and let it sit for 5 to 15 minutes. Wash hair thoroughly and apply a leave-in conditioner to prevent damage.

Boil 2 cups of water. Add 2 bags of chamomile tea and allow it to steep for 10 minutes. Let the tea cool and then pour it over your hair after washing in the shower. Do not rinse the chamomile tea. This will lighten hair over time.