How to Get Splat Hair Dye Out of Your Hair

Splat hair dye is known for its vivid, vibrant colors that can really make a statement. But what do you do when you’re ready to say goodbye to your bright blue or fire engine red locks? Removing splat hair dye can be a challenge, but there are a few methods you can try to help fade or strip the color.

What is Splat Hair Dye?

Splat is a popular semi-permanent hair dye that deposits bright, direct dyes onto the hair shaft without lightening or bleaching the hair first. This makes it great for achieving fun, fantasy colors without a ton of damage.

Splat dyes are available in a wide range of shades from bold primaries to pastels. Some of the most popular Splat colors include:

• Blue Envy
• Lusty Lavender
• Ruby Red
• Hair Ink Purple
• Electric Green
• Nuclear Pink

The pros of Splat dye are that it’s affordable, easy to apply, and lasts a decent amount of time – usually 4-8 weeks before fading. The cons are that these vivid shades can be difficult to remove from the hair shaft completely.

Why Can Splat Dye Be Hard to Remove?

There are a few reasons why Splat dye – and other semi-permanent bright shades – can be stubborn to get out of hair:

• Direct dyes – Splat contains direct dyes rather than oxidative dyes. Direct dyes get their color from pigments that sit on the outer cuticle layer of the hair shaft. This makes them show up vibrantly, but also means they don’t penetrate as deeply.

• Vivid colors – Brighter shades like blues, purples, greens cling to hair more stubbornly than natural colors like browns or blondes. The more vivid the color, the harder it is to remove.

• Semi-permanent formula – Permanent hair dyes use developers to open the cuticle so dye molecules can enter the cortex. Semi-permanent dyes like Splat don’t penetrate as deeply, so they remain closer to the surface.

• Multiple applications – The more you apply the Splat dye, the deeper it penetrates and the harder it is to get out. Overlapping layers of color build up on the hair shaft.

How to Remove Splat Hair Dye

When deciding how to remove your Splat color, think about these factors:

• Your natural hair color – Is it light or dark underneath the dye?
• How long it’s been in – The longer it’s on your hair, the deeper it penetrates
• Your hair’s condition – Over-processing can cause damage
• Your goal – Do you want to fade it or completely strip it?

With those things in mind, here are some of the most common methods for removing Splat dye:

Fading Methods

These techniques help gradually fade and soften the Splat color rather than completely stripping it all at once. They are less damaging to your strands.

Baking Soda Wash

What you’ll need:

• Baking soda
• Anti-dandruff shampoo
• Apple cider vinegar (optional)

How to do it:

1. Mix 1 tbsp baking soda with 1 cup anti-dandruff shampoo until it forms a paste. Adjust amounts as needed for the length/thickness of your hair.

2. Apply the mixture thoroughly from roots to ends and let sit for 3-5 minutes. Rinse well.

3. Follow with a rinse of apple cider vinegar (1 tbsp in 1 cup water) to close cuticles.

4. Condition hair well and style as usual.

Repeat 1-2 times per week until the color fades to your desired level. The baking soda helps break down dye molecules while the shampoo lifts it away. Apple cider vinegar helps seal cuticles and adds shine.

Vitamin C Treatment

What you’ll need:

• Vitamin C tablets (6-10 crushed)
• Anti-dandruff shampoo
• Plastic bag
• Rolling pin or hammer

How to do it:

1. Crush vitamin C tablets into a fine powder using a rolling pin or hammer inside a plastic bag.

2. Mix powder with 1/4 – 1/2 cup anti-dandruff shampoo until creamy and spreadable. Adjust consistency as needed.

3. Apply mixture to damp hair from roots to ends.

4. Put hair in a shower cap and let sit for 1 hour.

5. Rinse thoroughly and condition hair.

The vitamin C works to gently break down dye molecules while the shampoo lifts it away. Repeat 1-2 times per week until desired fading occurs.

Hot Oil Treatment

What you’ll need:

• Carrier oil (coconut, olive, argan, etc)
• Plastic shower cap
• Towel

How to do it:

1. Apply oil liberally from mid-lengths to ends. Focus on the most vibrant areas.

2. Wrap hair in a towel for 20 mins to generate heat and allow oil to penetrate.

3. Rinse thoroughly and shampoo well.

4. Condition and style as usual.

The oil helps “pull” dye molecules from the hair shaft. Repeat 1-2 times per week for gradual fading over 4-6 weeks.

Clarifying Shampoo or Dish Soap

Using a clarifying shampoo or dish soap with surfactants can help gradually strip some of the color over time. Lather it into damp hair and let it sit a few minutes before rinsing. Only do this 1-2 times per week, as these stripping cleansers can dry your hair.

Color Removal Methods

These techniques help strip the Splat color quickly and completely in one session. They are stronger and more drying than fading methods.

Bleach Bath

What you’ll need:

• Powder lightener/bleach
• Developer
• Shampoo
• Gloves, old clothing

How to do it:

1. Mix a bleach bath by combining 1 part powder lightener with 2 parts shampoo.

2. Apply mixture quickly from roots to ends. Process for 15-30 mins checking often.

3. Rinse thoroughly. Follow with a toner if needed.

4. Deep condition hair.

Bleach baths dilute the lightener’s strength to gently lift Splat’s color without totally destroying your hair. It may take a few sessions to fully remove vibrant shades. Always deep condition after.

Color Remover

What you’ll need:

• Color remover product
• Gloves, old clothing

How to do it:

1. Apply color remover thoroughly following product directions. Most process for 60 mins.

2. Rinse completely until water runs clear.

3. Shampoo and condition well.

Look for a remover that specifies it works on direct dyes. This helps lift stain without lightening your natural shade. Follow with a toner if needed.

Full Bleach

What you’ll need:

• Bleach powder
• Developer
• Toner (optional)
• Deep conditioner
• Gloves, old clothing

How to do it:

1. Mix bleach powder and developer per product instructions.

2. Apply to hair in 1/4 inch sections. Process for 30-45 mins.

3. Rinse thoroughly and apply toner if desired.

4. Deep condition hair for at least 15 minutes.

Fully bleaching strips Splat dye and lightens your hair. Use a toner like Wella to counter brassiness if needed. Always deep condition after to avoid damage.

Should You Bleach or Fade Splat Dye?

Whether to strip or fade your Splat depends on your goals:

Bleach/Color Removal If You Want To:

• Go lighter than your natural color
• Completely remove bright shades
• Dye hair a totally new color soon

Fading Methods If You Want To:

• Avoid too much damage from bleach
• Gradually lighten the shade over time
• Let color grow out for a subtle ombre

If your hair is overly processed or fragile, stick with gentle fading techniques like vitamin C, baking soda, and hot oil treatments.

Bleach baths are gentler than full bleach if you want to lighten a few shades quickly. Always use a quality toner and deep conditioner if you bleach.

Tips for Removing Splat Dye

• Strand test first to check results and how long to process
• Apply coconut oil to hair before bleaching to protect strands
• Use a quality toner like Wella to counteract brassiness after lightening
• Deep condition with moisture masks for at least 15-20 minutes