Ash toner is a great way to achieve cool, ashy tones in your hair, perfect for combating brassy or yellow undertones after bleaching. However, sometimes the result may be too intense or not what you desire. In such cases, you may wonder how to remove ash toner from hair.
Luckily, there are several methods to remove ash toner from your hair at home. The comprehensive guide below will bring the best results.
Contents
Understanding ash toner
Before diving into the removal methods, it’s essential to understand what ash toner does. Toner is a product used to neutralize unwanted brassy or yellow tones in hair, typically after bleaching or lightening. Ash toner, specifically, adds a cool, grayish tint to the hair to counteract the warm tones. While it can create beautiful results, it can sometimes be too strong or not blend well with your natural hair color, prompting the need for removal.
Why remove ash toner from hair?
You might want to know how to remove ash toner from hair for several reasons:
- Over-toning: If you’ve left the toner on for too long or used too much, your hair might appear overly ashy or gray.
- Unwanted shade: The resulting color might not be what you expected or desired.
- Hair color change: You might want to change your hair color and need to remove the toner as part of the preparation process.
- Uneven toning: Sometimes, the toner can result in uneven color, making your hair look patchy.
How to remove ash toner from hair: Methods with step-by-step guide
Several methods can effectively remove ash toner from your hair. Here are some of the most effective techniques:
Clarifying shampoo method
Materials needed:
- Clarifying shampoo
- Deep conditioner
Steps:
- Prepare your hair: First, wet your hair with warm water. The warmth helps to open the hair cuticles, making the removal process quicker and more effective.
- Apply clarifying shampoo: Use a generous amount of clarifying shampoo and lather it into your hair, ensuring even coverage. Clarifying shampoos are designed to strip away product build-up, including toner.
- Leave it on: Leave the shampoo on your hair for 5-10 minutes. This gives the shampoo time to break down the toner.
- Rinse thoroughly: Rinse your hair thoroughly with warm water.
- Condition: Clarifying shampoos can make your hair quite dry and frizzy, so conditioning is essential. End up with deep conditioning to add moisture to your hair.
- Frequency: You may need to repeat this process a few times, depending on how much toner you need to remove. However, avoid overusing clarifying shampoo as it can dry out your hair.
Using baking soda and shampoo
For those wondering how to remove ash toner from hair at home, using baking soda and shampoo can be a wonderful choice.
Materials needed:
- Baking soda
- Regular shampoo
- Deep conditioner
Steps:
- Mix the ingredients: Combine a tablespoon of baking soda with a generous amount of your regular shampoo. Baking soda is a natural abrasive and can help strip the toner from your hair.
- Apply the mixture: Apply the mixture to your damp hair, focusing on areas where the ash toner is most prominent.
- Massage and lather: Massage the mixture into your hair and let it lather.
- Leave it on: Let the mixture sit on your hair for a few minutes to allow the baking soda to work.
- Rinse and condition: Rinse thoroughly with warm water and follow up with a deep conditioner.
Frequency: This method can be repeated a few times if necessary, but as with clarifying shampoo, avoid overuse to prevent dryness and damage.
Vitamin C treatment
How to remove ash toner from hair at home with Vitamin C? Follow the following instruction.
Materials needed:
- Vitamin C tablets (crushed into a powder)
- Regular shampoo
- Deep conditioner
Steps:
- Prepare the mixture: Crush several Vitamin C tablets into a fine powder and mix it with a generous amount of shampoo. Vitamin C is acidic and can help to break down the toner molecules.
- Apply to hair: Apply the mixture to your wet hair, ensuring even coverage.
- Let it sit: Allow the mixture to sit on your hair for 30-60 minutes. The acidity of Vitamin C works to lift the toner.
- Rinse and condition: Rinse thoroughly with warm water and follow up with a deep conditioner.
Frequency: This treatment can be repeated as necessary but be mindful of the condition of your hair, as overuse can lead to dryness.
Color remover products
Materials needed:
- Hair color remover (available at beauty supply stores)
- Deep conditioner
Steps:
- Follow instructions: Carefully follow the instructions provided with the hair color remover product. These products are specifically designed to remove unwanted color, including toner.
- Rinse and condition: Rinse your hair thoroughly and use a deep conditioner to restore moisture.
Frequency: Use color removers sparingly and only as directed, as they can be quite strong and potentially damaging if overused.
Natural remedies
Natural remedies, specially using lemon juice can help people who want to know how to remove ash toner from hair with natural ingredient that can easily find at home.
Materials needed:
- Lemon juice
- Conditioner
Steps:
- Mix lemon juice and conditioner: Combine equal parts lemon juice and conditioner. The acidity in lemon juice can help to strip the toner from your hair.
- Apply to your hair: Apply the mixture to your damp hair, focusing on the areas with the most ash toner.
- Let it sit: Leave the mixture on your hair for 10-15 minutes.
- Rinse and deep condition: Rinse thoroughly with warm water and follow up with a deep conditioner.
Frequency: This method is gentle enough to be repeated as needed but always followed with a good conditioning treatment.
Tips for maintaining healthy hair after removing ash toner
Beside how to remove ash toner from hair guideline, you should know to to take care of your hair after removing methods. Removing ash toner can be a bit harsh on your hair, so it’s important to take steps to maintain its health during and after the process. Here are some tips:
- Deep condition regularly: Use a deep conditioning treatment at least once a week to keep your hair hydrated and healthy. Look for products that contain natural oils and proteins to help strengthen your hair.
- Avoid over-washing: Washing your hair too frequently can strip it of its natural oils, leading to dryness and damage. Try to wash your hair no more than 2-3 times a week.
- Use sulfate-free products: Opt for sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners to prevent further drying and damage to your hair. Sulfates can be harsh and strip away natural oils.
- Limit heat styling: Excessive use of heat-styling tools can cause damage, especially if your hair is already weakened from the toner removal process. When you do use heat tools, always use a heat protectant spray.
- Trim regularly: Regular trims can help to remove split ends and keep your hair looking healthy. Aim for a trim every 6-8 weeks.
- Stay hydrated and eat well: Good hair health starts from within. Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water and eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals that promote hair health, such as biotin, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Precautions to take
While removing ash toner from your hair, it’s crucial to take certain precautions to avoid damage:
- Patch test: Before applying any treatment to your entire head, do a patch test to ensure you don’t have an adverse reaction to the ingredients.
- Monitor hair condition: Keep an eye on the condition of your hair throughout the process. If your hair starts to feel overly dry or damaged, take a break from the removal process and focus on conditioning and repairing your hair.
- Consult a professional: If you’re unsure about any step or if your hair is in a fragile state, consider consulting a professional hairstylist. They can provide personalized advice and treatments tailored to your hair’s needs.
Conclusion
Removing ash toner from your hair can be a bit of a challenge, but with patience and the right methods, you can achieve your desired hair color. Remember to take good care of your hair during the process by using deep conditioning treatments and avoiding the overuse of harsh products. If you’re ever in doubt, don’t hesitate to seek professional advice to ensure the best results without compromising the health of your hair.
By following these guidelines on how to remove ash toner from hair, you’ll be well on your way to removing unwanted ash toner and enjoying your beautiful, healthy hair once again. Whether you opt for clarifying shampoos, baking soda, Vitamin C treatments, color removers, or natural remedies, there’s a method that can work for you. Take your time, be gentle with your hair, and soon you’ll have the color you desire.