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how to go back to grey

Printed From: HairBoutique.com
Category: Hair Talk
Forum Name: General Hair Talk
Forum Description: A free wheeling discussion of hair related topics.
URL: https://talk.hairboutique.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5192
Printed Date: June 14 2025 at 10:49pm


Topic: how to go back to grey
Posted By: drolma
Subject: how to go back to grey
Date Posted: September 19 2001 at 8:28pm
I`d like to go back to nature. My "real" color is brown and grey. (I think about 30-40 percent grey) I`ve dyed my hair for about 5 years, dark brown/black over the past year. Any suggestions as to how to go natural without the roots looking like a skunk stripe for the transition? My hair is shoulder length and I`d like to keep it long and longer.


Replies:
Posted By: ssjockey
Date Posted: September 20 2001 at 12:22am
Reply to message: viewthread.asp?forum=AMB%5FAP804060353&id=2656&page=1#21.2656.1 - 21.2656.1
Many years ago, a lady at my office had shoulder length dyed blond hair. Her natural color was very dark so she usually had a bad skunk stripe. Well, she finally got tired of dying her hair, so she bit the bullet, and let it grow out. At first she kept the shoulder length, but when the grey reached about 4 inches (this took several months), she cut off all of the blonde in one fell swoop, and ended up with a short style. Then over the next year, she cut off the bottom layers, until she had once again shoulder length hair, all her natural color, which it remains some 10 years later!

I say suffer with the skunk stripe, try a new short cut for a while, then let it grow back to your favorite length.

Good luck

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Posted By: Merlin
Date Posted: September 26 2001 at 2:21pm
Reply to message: viewthread.asp?forum=AMB%5FAP804060353&id=2656&page=1#21.2656.1 - 21.2656.1
There are things you can do. You can get a color remover to lessen the darker color then add a demi permanent hair color to blend the grey. Most demi permanent hair colors fade on tone and will leave a little grow out. Eventually with each hair cut you will lose some of the old color and be able to stop coloring your hair. The other method requires an experienced colorist. Your hair can be “stripped” of the pigment to the white stage. That means no pigment in your hair whatsoever. Your colorist will then use a blue or purple toner to give your hair that “true” gray hair look (plus cancel any leftover yellow pigment in your hair.) The second technique requires a knowledable colorist because the chemicals involved can do real damage to your hair if not used properly. It also may be too much for someone with just 30 - 40% gray hair. There is also a highlighting method that can be used that involves decreasing the number of foils on each visit. After 4 or 5 visits, you can stop coloring altogether. You have options to achieve the look you want. Good luck!!!

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Merlin

Posted By: drolma
Date Posted: September 28 2001 at 8:02pm
Reply to message: viewthread.asp?forum=AMB%5FAP804060353&id=2656&page=1#21.2705.1 - 21.2705.1
Thanks, Merlin. You sound like a pro. What do you think of this: I could use a black/brown temporary color to drab down the gray roots, until hair`s grown out, then let it gradually wash out. Would putting temp color over permanent damage my hair? Would the color come out wierd?

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Posted By: Merlin
Date Posted: October 04 2001 at 8:58am
Reply to message: viewthread.asp?forum=AMB%5FAP804060353&id=2656&page=1#21.2720.1 - 21.2720.1
I noted that you are staying in the same color range and that is the key. A semi permanent color will last about 6 weeks (depending on how often you shampoo) and should give you the results you are looking for. You shouldn`t have any problem putting it over a permanent color as long as at least 24 hours has gone by. You might try a shade lighter than normal to be sure the hair doesn`t absorb too much (in case it is slightly dry, especially at the ends). If your hair was in good shape before the coloring, this should not damage it too bad but be prepared to do some deep conditioning if it dries out (a common problem). Let us know what you decide and how it worked for you.

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Merlin


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