How to Remove Permanent Hair Dye with Olive Oil in 6 Easy Steps

Have you ever dyed your hair only to end up with a shade you don’t like or isn’t as flattering as you imagined it to be?

If you’re dealing with a permanent hair dye, your best and safest bet is to remove it instead of applying dye all over it.

The good news is that you can thoroughly remove permanent hair dye without spending a lot at the salon, and the treatment involves one simple ingredient– olive oil.

So how to remove permanent hair dye with olive oil? Check out this article to find out!

Can You Remove Permanent Hair Dye with Olive Oil?

Yes, olive oil can remove permanent hair dye.

Here’s how it works:

The molecules of olive oil have a larger density than the hair dye’s molecules. So when you apply olive oil to your dyed hair, the molecules will pierce through the hair strands and push the dye’s molecules away from your hair.  

The Pros and Cons of Removing Permanent Hair Dye with Olive Oil

With that said, why would you choose olive oil to remove permanent hair dye? That’s because it offers the following benefits:

Great for the Hair

Olive oil is known for nourishing, hydrating, and softening the hair, so it can boost hair strength and address the dryness associated with permanent dyes.

The nourishing benefits of olive oil also extend to the scalp, soothing it and relieving it from itchiness. 

Less Damaging

Commercial color removers contain harmful chemicals that may strip the hair of the moisture and hydration it needs. Since olive oil is a naturally occurring ingredient, it’s gentler and more beneficial to the hair and scalp.

Inexpensive

A bottle of olive oil (even the most expensive) is considered more affordable than the expensive color removal treatments at salons.

But of course, olive oil comes with a few cons as well. Here they are:

Ineffective at Removing Certain Colors

Olive oil is fantastic at removing brighter and more vibrant shades. However, it’s not as effective when eliminating deeper, darker, and more pigmented colors like violets and blues.

Multiple Sessions Needed

It may take a few hot oil sessions to remove permanent hair dye completely, so it’s not the best option for anyone who wants their hair color to fade right away.

6 Steps on How to Remove Permanent Hair Dye with Olive Oil

Before we proceed with the instructions, you need to prepare the following items first:

• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• Saran wrap or shower cap
• Microwavable container
• Clarifying shampoo
• Hair Conditioner

Instructions:

Step 1. Rinse hair with hot water.

The warm temperature will open up your hair cuticle, allowing the hair dye to be eliminated faster and easier.

Step 2. Warm up the olive oil.

Pour ½ cup of extra virgin olive oil into a microwavable bowl or container and heat it for about 30 seconds.

Step 3. Pour warm olive oil all over your hair.

Pro Tip: Check the oil’s temperature first. Make sure it’s just warm and not scalding.

Massage the oil all over your hair and into the scalp, ensuring that each hair strand is coated with oil from the roots down to the ends.

Step 4. Cover up your hair.

Using either a saran wrap or shower cap, cover up your hair. The wrap or cap will allow the oil molecules to penetrate the hair shafts even better.

Leave the wrap on and let the oil stand for up to 30 minutes.

Step 5. Wash off the oil with a clarifying shampoo.

The clarifying shampoo will work with olive oil to eliminate the dye molecules from your hair. Rinse it off with warm water afterward.

Step 6. Condition your hair.

The clarifying shampoo may cause hair dryness. Massage conditioner all over your hair to maintain its softness and hydration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bottom Line

A hot olive oil treatment is one of the most effective, gentlest, and inexpensive ways to remove permanent hair dye. However, you’d need to perform the treatment multiple times to fully eliminate your hair color.

Also, follow all of our tips and instructions on removing permanent hair dye with olive oil to keep your hair healthy and beautiful.