How do hairdressers lighten dark brown hair?

Author: Mike Hoeger  |  Last update: Sunday, December 14, 2025

Professional stylists often use techniques to "bleed" the excess color from hair. This involves using clarifying or dandruff shampoos that help strip away the unwanted dye. This method is less damaging compared to bleaching and is often the first step a professional will take to correct overly dark hair dye.

How to lighten dark brown hair at a salon?

If your base color is brown and you want to become a light blond, the only solution is all-over bleach. It is the only technique that can lighten natural hair by up to 6 color tones or eliminate a previous color treatment before recoloring.

Can dark brown hair be lightened?

Yes, you can dye dark brown hair blonde, but the process can be complex and may require multiple steps. Here are some key points to consider: Bleaching: To achieve blonde from dark brown, you typically need to bleach your hair. Bleaching removes the natural pigment, allowing for a lighter color.

How to lighten dark brown hair to caramel color?

- Coffee or Tea: Brewed strong coffee or black tea can add warmth and depth to your brown hair. - Cinnamon or Nutmeg: These spices can enhance caramel tones. - Baking Soda or Lemon Juice: To lighten your hair slightly, if necessary.

What do hairdressers use to lighten hair?

Hair bleach is a chemical product used to lighten the natural colour of hair. It is a powerful agent that works by oxidizing the melanin, which is the pigment responsible for hair colour, in the hair shaft.

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Can you go from dark brown to light brown without bleach?

Use a permanent hair dye

You could also try using a high-lift hair dye, like the L'Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Hi-Lift Gold Brown, which is useful for those looking to dye dark hair light brown without the pre-bleaching step.

What to do if your hair color is too dark?

How to Lighten Hair Dyed Too Dark with a DIY Approach
  1. Use a paste of Baking Soda and Lemon Juice.
  2. Wash your Hair with Apple Cider Vinegar.
  3. Take some Vitamin C Tablets.
  4. Wash Hair With Clarifying Shampoo.
  5. Use Purple or Blue Shampoo for Brassy Tones.
  6. Do a Bleach Bath.
  7. Bleed the Color Out.
  8. Use Hair Lightener or Toner.

What happens if you put light brown dye on dark brown hair?

Colour doesn't lift colour…so, if you've previously coloured your hair to that dark brown, using a light brown won't do much, if anything at all. You may need to use a bleach or a very light blonde shade in order to lift it any and risk that orangey look.

Which highlight is best for dark brown hair?

While shades like caramel and golden blonde tend to be popular with brunettes, cool-toned, ashy shades look equally as gorgeous and deserve the same attention. If you've never tried dark brown hair with highlights, you can start with a subtle chestnut highlight or soft toffee ombré.

What is the best base color for caramel highlights?

Caramel balayage is at its best on a light brown or dark brunette canvas. The freehand high-lights should then be two to three shades brighter, so they glimmer and glow through the darker mid-lengths. Assess your client's base to see if they're happy with their color or want to switch it up.

What is the best hair lightener for dark hair?

What is the best bleach for dark hair?
  • Best high lifting bleach - Schwarzkopf BLONDME Bond Enforcing Premium Lightener 9+
  • Best salon value bleach - Lotus Low Dust (Blue) Bleach.
  • Best anti-yellow bleach - Wella Blondor Multi Blonde Powder.
  • Best bleach with colouring system - Goldwell Oxycur Platin Dust Free Blue Bleach.

What box dye will lighten dark hair?

Garnier Nutrisse Ultra Color B3, Golden Brown (Spiced Rum), is a high lift shade with ultra reflective warm tones designed to lighten dark hair up to 3 levels without any bleach. B3 hair dye is best for anyone with natural hair between medium brown and black.

How much can you lighten dark brown hair without bleach?

Just know that if you're wanting to go lighter, generally hair dye both box and professional will only be able to lighten your hair 1-2 levels without the need for pre-lightening, aka bleaching. So if you're looking to go from dark brown to blonde, this most likely won't be possible.

Is it hard to lighten dark brown hair?

This can become harder on a darker level hair.” The strength of the bleaching agents used and how long they're left on the hair can also play a role in how fast or how slow your dark hair lightens. A strand test will help your stylist determine the potency and timeline of your lightening service.

What happens if you put hair lightener on brown hair?

But using hair lightener on dark brown hair will work it will just give you warmer hues… think amber, gold, and honey. If you do decide to try it on dark hair, we recommend testing it out on a few strands first by applying 1-2 sprays and combing through before going out in the sun.

Will Dawn dish soap lighten dyed hair?

Dish Soap

Fortunately, if you go through the effort of using this drying soap on your dyed hair, it can help remove unwanted color. You'll need to do many washes to fade it out, but it is a step in the right direction if you want to remove a color.

Can you put caramel highlights on dark brown hair?

The warm and golden tones of caramel can add depth and dimension to brown hair, creating a stunning and natural-looking result. Whether you have dark brown or light brown hair, caramel highlights can be customized to suit your natural hair color and skin tone, making it the perfect way to order bronde hair.

What is the most attractive brown hair color?

For the most flattering look, you'll want to pick a shade of brown hair that has the same undertone as your skin. Cool shades like mushroom brown complement cool skin well, while golden brown hair and other warm shades are ideal for those with warmer complexions.

Can you get lowlights on dark brown hair?

With deep brown hair, it's important to get just the right shade of lowlight depending on how dark your natural color is. These caramel lowlights suit the depth of her hair color perfectly.

Can you put a lighter color over dark brown hair color?

Changing your hair color is a great way to revamp your look! Dyeing hair a darker color is pretty straightforward, but if you want to dye your hair lighter than it currently is, you will probably need to bleach it first.

How many levels does high lift color lift?

Characteristics of oxidative permanent and high-lift colour products: Ability to lift up to 4 levels. Lift and deposit tone in one process. One formula will produce an even result throughout the hair.

What hair dye can go over dark brown hair?

Popular shades that work on dark hair include After Midnight, Vampire Red, Purple Haze, Plum Passion, Green Envy, Midnight Blue and Raven. All of these shades are semi-permanent and their formulas are conditioning and non damaging as well as vegan & cruelty free.

How do hairdressers lighten dark dyed hair?

Professional stylists often use techniques to "bleed" the excess color from hair. This involves using clarifying or dandruff shampoos that help strip away the unwanted dye.

What is the least damaging way to lighten your hair?

Natural bleaching agents like apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, chamomile tea, or cinnamon and honey can lighten hair gently and naturally with minimal damage.

How do hairdressers remove dark hair dye?

Your colourist may use bleach or sulfur-based stripping products to lighten your hair back to enable it to be re-dyed safely.

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