Last Updated on: September 29, 2022
Guys apply beard dye for many reasons. Some want to cover their gray hair, while others want to try a new style.
However…
there are equally as many reasons why guys return to their natural hair. Reapplying dye can be tedious, or the color may not appear as you expect.
We’re here to teach you how to remove beard dye in multiple ways. Some of these methods require items that are probably in your house already, so you don’t need to do anything fancy.
Well then, let’s get going.
1. Toothpaste
Apart from cleaning your teeth, toothpaste can also help get rid of a dyed beard. It contains baking soda and chemicals like hydrogen peroxide, which we already discussed above.
However, we don’t recommend using gel toothpaste since it’s less abrasive than the regular version.
You definitely need that abrasiveness to exfoliate the hair color off your beard.
So, here’s the process of using toothpaste:
- Put some toothpaste on an unused toothbrush.
- Rub the bristles on the dyed hair in a circular motion.
- After a thorough massage, let it sit for 10 minutes.
- Rinse with warm water, then dry off.
2. Soap And Water
Suppose you’ve just applied beard dye and regret it immediately. In that case, you can still remove it by washing your facial hair with soap (or beard shampoo) and water.
This method also works if you use a homemade or temporary beard dye.
However, if you used a semi-permanent or permanent dye that already stained your beard, you must try other methods.
3. Rubbing Alcohol
If you want to remove the dye hours after applying it, you can use rubbing alcohol. Alcohol effectively removes stains like paint, ink, or tree sap because it contains a mild bleaching agent.
However, it may not work as effectively if multiple days or weeks have passed since you dyed your beard.
Additionally, we don’t recommend using rubbing alcohol if you have sensitive skin. It can quickly dry out your face, which may cause irritation.
Nevertheless, here are the steps in using rubbing alcohol:
- Take a cotton ball and pour some alcohol into it.
- Gently rub it on your entire beard.
- Immediately wash your beard with water and beard shampoo. You should already see the dye coming off.
- Towel dry your beard and moisturize after.
4. Baking Soda Mixture
Baking soda is a natural exfoliating and cleaning agent. It can help remove or lighten beard dye without needing to bleach your facial hair.
Remember that this is different from baking powder, so check the label first to avoid any mistakes.
Now, you wouldn’t be using this white powder by itself. You need to mix it with beard shampoo, but we also recommend dandruff shampoo. This is stronger than ordinary shampoo since it’s designed to strip off excess sebum in the skin.
However, we only advise using dandruff shampoo to remove beard dye. Using it to wash your beard regularly can damage your facial skin.
That said, here’s the step-by-step procedure to create the mixture:
- Take an equal amount of baking soda and shampoo, then mix them together.
- Apply and massage the mixture to your beard. You can use a beard comb or brush to get maximum coverage.
- Let it sit on your face for 5-10 minutes.
- Rinse it off.
- Don’t forget to moisturize, especially if you used dandruff shampoo.
- If you still have hair dye stains, repeat these steps for the next few days.
5. Dishwashing Soap Mixture
We all use dish soap to remove the grease and residue in our dishes. You don’t really expect it to go anywhere near your face.
It can also get rid of dye and sebum on your beard hair.
Although dish soap is a good cleaning agent, using it alone can damage your skin. You need to dilute it with shampoo, and here’s how you can do so:
- Take a quarter-sized beard shampoo and mix it with 4-5 drops of gentle dish soap.
- Lather the mixture and wash your beard with it.
- Rinse your beard thoroughly with warm water until it runs clear.
- Moisturize after drying off.
- Repeat to get the desired results. Since this method isn’t as strong, you won’t see anything drastic immediately. However, don’t do several washes in a row since dish soap is pretty harsh.
6. Vinegar Solution
Beard dyes (or dyes in general) are made to resist alkaline substances like shampoos and soaps. However, they don’t fare well against acidic substances like vinegar.
We recommend using white vinegar over other types because it’s more acidic, making it more effective.
Here’s the step-by-step process of using vinegar to lighten beard dye:
- Mix equal parts of vinegar and warm water into a bowl. The amount depends on your beard thickness.
- Massage the mixture into your beard. You can use a comb to ensure that it’s evenly spread.
- Let it sit and dry for 20-30 minutes.
- Wash your beard and repeat if necessary.
7. Hydrogen Peroxide Mixture
Hydrogen Peroxide is another bleaching agent that can lighten and remove the dye, especially if you use Just For Men products. It becomes more effective if you combine it with some shampoo.
We recommend test patching first since it’s a bleaching agent.
Let’s proceed with the steps in creating the mixture:
- Combine one part hydrogen peroxide and two parts beard shampoo in a bowl.
- Apply the mixture to your beard and wait for 10-15 minutes.
- Wash it off with lukewarm water until there’s no mixture left.
- Repeat if necessary.
8. Vitamin C Paste
Vitamin C is a safe way to lighten your facial hair, as it works for all skin types without causing irritation. It will penetrate your hair follicles, which loosens and oxidizes hair dye.
Apart from that, this vitamin benefits the skin because it can improve overall texture and appearance.
Always keep track of time because vitamin C only works within 48 hours of applying hair color to your beard.
Now then, here’s how you can make the paste:
- Put a bunch of vitamin C tablets into a bowl. You can find these tablets in your local drugstore or general store.
- Add hot water. It should be enough to slightly cover the tablets.
- Take a spoon and crush them into a paste. This also works with a mortar and pestle.
- Wet your beard, massage it with the paste, then leave it for one hour.
- Wash your beard, then dry.
9. Beard Dye Removal Product
A beard dye removal product should be your first instinct in this scenario. Some examples of these are Color Oops and Redbook Hair Color Removal.
These products are designed to lighten or completely remove beard dye without causing skin irritation (unless you’re allergic, of course). Plus, all you have to do is follow the instructions on the package.
For convenience, we recommend getting one along with your beard dye.
However, if you’re on a budget or there’s nothing available at the store, you can use the homemade tricks below instead.
Important Factors To Keep In Mind
Know Your Beard Dye
Whenever you dye your beard, you should also know what kind of product you’re using. This will help you find the right solution when you want to go back to your natural facial hair.
If you use a temporary dye, you can simply wash it with soap and water since it’s not expected to last long anyway.
Semi-permanent beard dyes fade over time and are expected to last 4-6 weeks, even longer if you only rinse and not wash.
Meanwhile, you don’t really expect a permanent beard dye to fade away. You would grow it out instead and then trim it off. This makes it way more challenging to remove than a semi-permanent one.
Some colors are also harder to remove than others, such as red. You would need more dedication to get your natural hair color back.
Have Patience
You should never forget that it’s usually difficult to remove dye completely on the first try, especially with household items. This just means that you’re using good-quality dye.
Depending on how long the dye has been on your beard hair, the first wash may only fade the color. In that case, you’ll need multiple washes to achieve your desired effect.
However, it’s also important to avoid rushing. If you wash your beard with, say, dish soap back-to-back on the same day, your face isn’t going to thank you. You must give your skin enough time to rest before repeating the process.
Do A Patch Test
Before using any DIY or commercial agent, we recommend doing a patch test first to determine if you’re allergic to any ingredients.
You can do this by rubbing the removal agent on an inconspicuous body part (like your elbow), preferably a day before using it on your beard. If you notice any rash or irritation, try something else.
Detangle Your Facial Hair
Cleaning and detangling the hair can actually help in removing beard dye. This ensures that the removal agent will get into as many hairs as possible.
Moisturize
You may have noticed how we included “moisturize” in many of the processes we mentioned. That’s because your skin can get really dry afterward, so you must mitigate the damage. You certainly don’t want beardruff, do you?
There are various products you can use here – beard oil, beard butter, beard balm, or whatever moisturizer you use in your skincare routine.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for beard dye to fade?
It depends on what product you used to dye your beard. Usually, temporary dyes last up to two days, semi-permanent can last for a couple of weeks, and permanent dyes are expected to grow out and get trimmed.
Can you lighten beard dyes?
As we mentioned, your first wash will probably only lighten your beard color. You can use any of the methods we discussed above. The color will fade over time anyway.
Is it safe to remove beard dyes?
Yes, it’s safe so long as you’re not allergic to any ingredient and follow the proper procedures.
Conclusion
It’s not uncommon to be disappointed with how your dyed beard looks. Fortunately, there are many ways you can revert it back to its natural color. However, remember that we all have different skin types and hair textures, so it all comes down to trial and error. You just have to find what works most efficiently and safely for you.
Anyway, we hope this article helped you learn how to remove beard dye effectively. Keep these tips in mind, and you won’t be as scared when you try a different color!