Hair dye stripping is a process used to rid the hair of unwanted deposited color.
Procedure
Hair dye stripping is a chemical process involving the application of a
sulfur-based product to hair in order to remove deposited color. Hair dye strippers raise
sulfite levels to make hair more porous and reverse the
oxidation
Redox (reduction–oxidation, , ) is a type of chemical reaction in which the oxidation states of substrate change. Oxidation is the loss of electrons or an increase in the oxidation state, while reduction is the gain of electrons or a ...
of color molecules. This breaks the bonds dyes form between one another and the hair shaft that were formed by oxidizing small hair color intermediates, shrinking the molecules and allowing hair color to be washed out of the hair. Because of the chemical nature of hair dye strippers, they are effective on both newly dyed hair and older dye.
Note that this type of color correction is ineffective on hair lightened with
hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical compound with the formula . In its pure form, it is a very pale blue liquid that is slightly more viscous than water. It is used as an oxidizer, bleaching agent, and antiseptic, usually as a dilute solution (3%â ...
, as hair bleaching is an irreversible chemical reaction that oxidizes hair's
melanin
Melanin (; from el, μÎλας, melas, black, dark) is a broad term for a group of natural pigments found in most organisms. Eumelanin is produced through a multistage chemical process known as melanogenesis, where the oxidation of the amino ...
, effectively rendering it colorless.
Most color depositing dyes use a weak
hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical compound with the formula . In its pure form, it is a very pale blue liquid that is slightly more viscous than water. It is used as an oxidizer, bleaching agent, and antiseptic, usually as a dilute solution (3%â ...
-based developer, or oxidizing agent, so results may not match natural hair color.
Notes for usage
It is advisable to follow color removal with a clear color filler before attempting to color hair again because hair will be more porous and re-dyed hair may darken more intensely and quickly.
Additionally, hair dye stripping products often have a strong, lingering odor reminiscent of rotting eggs due to their sulfuric nature.
Caution
Hair dye strippers contain chemical irritants. Avoid direct skin contact and use in well-ventilated areas.
References
Hair coloring
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