hair-

[Kevy Baby]

I can tell you that Susan (who used to dye her hair red as well) decided to go back to natural (blond). After conferring with several people, she elected to just go with the "let it grow out" method. It didn't take long to get back to her own color (she didn't cut it all off: she just let the color fade away).

However, I would wait for the LoT resident expert, Wendybeth.

[Nephythys]

Originally Posted by Kevy Baby

I can tell you that Susan (who used to dye her hair red as well) decided to go back to natural (blond). After conferring with several people, she elected to just go with the "let it grow out" method. It didn't take long to get back to her own color (she didn't cut it all off: she just let the color fade away).

However, I would wait for the LoT resident expert, Wendybeth.

I might do that too-

I seriously am considering cutting it wayyy short-and then letting it go. The longer it is the more I am tempted to keep coloring it.

[wendybeth]

Did I hear 'hair'?


Depending on the amount of dye in your hair, Neph, the decolorizer might work, but that's a big might. Red is notorious for fading, yet a big ol' PITA when you want it gone. A rule of thumb in color is 'dye does not remove dye', i.e. any lighter-toned haircolor will not remove the color underneath if it is synthetic. You can use color to tone down or deepen, but not remove. (Ash is the tone to cancel red). Most stylists will try decolor, then condition, dry and apply a creme bleach to lift out the remaining color. You almost always have to tone it with a blonde series to give it a natural look after all this, and sometimes the porosity of the hair makes it difficult for the toner to take and remain.

In short- it's a big process to go through, but it can be done. I recommend home stuff all the time to people who don't want to go to a salon, but this is one instance where you really need the expertise of a good colorist. I suspect this is why Susan chose to bite the bullet and grow it out- it's a process that sometimes takes several appointments, and can be very expensive.

I hope this helps- feel free to ask any questions you may have, and gl!

[Nephythys]

Originally Posted by wendybeth

Did I hear 'hair'?


Depending on the amount of dye in your hair, Neph, the decolorizer might work, but that's a big might. Red is notorious for fading, yet a big ol' PITA when you want it gone. A rule of thumb in color is 'dye does not remove dye', i.e. any lighter-toned haircolor will not remove the color underneath if it is synthetic. You can use color to tone down or deepen, but not remove. (Ash is the tone to cancel red). Most stylists will try decolor, then condition, dry and apply a creme bleach to lift out the remaining color. You almost always have to tone it with a blonde series to give it a natural look after all this, and sometimes the porosity of the hair makes it difficult for the toner to take and remain.

In short- it's a big process to go through, but it can be done. I recommend home stuff all the time to people who don't want to go to a salon, but this is one instance where you really need the expertise of a good colorist. I suspect this is why Susan chose to bite the bullet and grow it out- it's a process that sometimes takes several appointments, and can be very expensive.

I hope this helps- feel free to ask any questions you may have, and gl!

So chopping it off-and letting it grow out-and then chopping off the red ends is the easiest and best way to go.

Check

[Moonliner]

For me at least, those are the three that come to mind when you mention starting over. Not a bad group.