Punky Color 3 in 1 is a semi-permanent hair dye that allows you to highlight, color, and condition your hair in one easy step. The color deposits last up to 30 washes. While the colors look vibrant and fun when first applied, removing them once you’re ready for a change can be a challenge.
Unlike permanent hair dyes that penetrate the hair cortex, Punky Color sits on the outer hair cuticle. This makes it fade faster but also more difficult to fully remove. The process takes patience, the right removal products, and may require a few rounds of application.
In this article, we’ll walk through the step-by-step process for removing Punky Color 3 in 1. We’ll also provide some tips and things to keep in mind for achieving the best results.
What You’ll Need
Before starting the color removal process, you’ll want to gather the right supplies:
- Clarifying shampoo – To start removing buildup and prep hair
- Baking soda – Helps lift and remove color
- Anti-dandruff shampoo – Contains sulfates to help fade color
- Vitamin C powder – Helps oxidize and break down color molecules
- Dish soap – Used to boost cleansing and stripping of color
You’ll also want gloves to protect your hands and old towels or shirts to wear while removing the dye. Having a wide-tooth comb on hand can help evenly distribute removal products as well.
Preparing Your Hair
Before you use any removal products, start by washing your hair with a clarifying shampoo. This will help eliminate any built-up residue or oils that could prevent removal products from penetrating the hair.
Massage the clarifying shampoo thoroughly into your roots, lengths, and ends. Let it sit for 3-5 minutes before rinsing. No need to use conditioner after clarifying when your goal is to remove color.
Next, purchase an anti-dandruff shampoo that contains sulfates. Sulfates help remove color by stripping the cuticle. Look for shampoos with ingredients like selenium sulfide or zinc pyrithione.
Using Baking Soda
One of the most effective ways to help lift and remove semi-permanent hair dye is with baking soda. Here are two methods:
Baking Soda Paste
1. Mix 1/4 cup baking soda with enough warm water to form a spreadable paste. Adjust consistency as needed.
2. Apply the paste thoroughly to dry hair, massaging it in with gloved hands from roots to ends.
3. Cover hair with a shower cap or plastic wrap and let sit for at least 15 minutes. Up to 45 minutes is fine for stubborn color.
4. Rinse the baking soda paste out in the shower. Shampoo and condition as usual.
The baking soda paste can be applied as often as needed until you achieve your desired level of color removal. Limit to 1-2 times per week to avoid excessive dryness.
Baking Soda Soak
1. Dissolve 1/4 cup of baking soda into a bowl of warm water. Use enough water to thoroughly soak all of your hair.
2. Soak your hair in the baking soda solution for at least 15 minutes. For extra stubborn color, allow it to soak for up to 1 hour.
3. Rinse hair thoroughly after soaking then shampoo and condition as normal.
Repeat the soaking as often as needed to lift the color. Limit to 1-2 times per week. The baking soda soak is a more gradual approach but helps avoid dryness associated with using baking soda paste too frequently.
Vitamin C Treatment
In addition to baking soda, vitamin C is another ingredient that can help remove dye from hair. Here’s how to do a vitamin C treatment:
1. Crush up about 6 vitamin C tablets into a fine powder. Or use powdered vitamin C supplement.
2. Mix the vitamin C powder with enough hot water to form a thin paste.
3. Apply the paste to dry hair until fully coated.
4. Cover hair with a shower cap and let the paste work for 1 hour.
5. Rinse out the vitamin C paste with warm water.
6. Shampoo and condition hair as normal.
The acidic vitamin C works to oxidize the hair color molecules, making them easier to rinse away. Repeat the vitamin C treatment as often as needed to help lift and remove the semi-permanent color.
Dish Soap Method
Dish soap is formulated to be extra cleansing to remove tough grease and residue from dishes. You can take advantage of these heavy-duty cleaning properties to help strip out hair color as well.
1. Lather your dry hair with a generous amount of dish soap. Pay special attention to the most vibrant areas of color.
2. Cover hair with a shower cap or plastic wrap and let the dish soap penetrate for at least 30 minutes.
3. Rinse hair thoroughly afterward, removing all traces of dish soap.
4. Shampoo and condition as usual to avoid dryness.
The key with dish soap is letting it soak in to do the work so be sure to keep it on for at least 30 minutes. You can repeat this process once a week until the desired amount of color is removed.
Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
Incorporating an anti-dandruff shampoo into your regular washing routine can speed up fading of hair dye. The sulfates and ingredients like zinc pyrithione work to gently strip color with each use.
Be sure to choose an anti-dandruff shampoo without conditioners or moisturizing ingredients. These can counteract the color removal. Massage the shampoo thoroughly into hair and leave on for 2-3 minutes before rinsing as usual.
Use the dandruff shampoo in place of your regular shampoo up to 2-3 times per week. More frequent use can cause excessive dryness. Pay attention to the vibrancy of your color to determine how often to use it.
Hot Oil Treatment
A hot oil treatment can also help accelerate the removal of semi-permanent hair dye. The oil helps swell the hair cuticles so the color molecules can escape.
For the treatment:
1. Heat 1/2 cup olive oil or coconut oil until warm but not scalding hot.
2. Massage the warmed oil thoroughly into your dry hair and scalp.
3. Twist hair up on top of your head and cover with a shower cap.
4. Let the oil penetrate for at least 20 minutes, up to 1 hour for maximum results.
5. Rinse out the oil then shampoo and condition as usual.
Perform the hot oil treatment once a week, leaving the oil on for longer periods each time to boost color removal. Just be aware that hot oil can potentially loosen hair color that can then re-stain if not rinsed thoroughly.
Cola Soak
The slight acidity in cola drinks can also help dissolve away semi-permanent hair dye. To use:
1. Flat cola works best. Allow a bottle to go fully flat by leaving the cap off for 24 hours.
2. In a large bowl or sink basin, thoroughly soak hair in the flat cola.
3. If needed, pour additional cola over roots and lengths to keep saturated.
4. Let hair soak for at least 30 minutes up to 1 hour.
5. Rinse cola out then shampoo and condition as usual.
The longer you let your hair soak, the more it will help lift color. Repeat the cola soak once a week or as needed to remove the buildup of dye.
Deep Cleaning Treatments
For a super thorough clean, try alternating the at-home treatments above with these deep cleansing options:
Clarifying treatment at the salon – Professional clarifying treatments use stronger concentrates of sulfates and surfactants to deep clean. They can remove buildup, oil, and dye faster than regular shampoos. Opt for clarifying over conditioning treatments.
Apple cider vinegar rinse – Rinsing with apple cider vinegar helps create an unfavorable environment for hair dye. The acidic pH helps open the cuticle so more color can be removed. Dilute apple cider vinegar with water and apply after shampooing 1-2 times per week.
Chelating shampoo – Chelating shampoos contain ingredients like EDTA that bind to metals and minerals that can accumulate on hair over time. Buildup can make removal more difficult. Use a chelating shampoo once a week to maintain hair.
Lightening Treatments
If the color has significantly faded but is still present after using removal methods, you may need to lighten it the rest of the way using bleach. See a professional colorist for this to avoid damage. They can do a bleach wash or full highlight to lift out the remaining color.
Be aware that bleach can be abrasive. Avoid over-processing and use a good deep conditioner afterward to counteract dryness. Your hair may require a chop if it becomes too compromised from lightening.
Maintenance and Prevention
To keep your hair healthy and minimize color buildup going forward:
- Use a sulfate-free shampoo and gentle conditioner
- Shampoo less frequently, only 2-3 times per week
- Use a leave-in conditioner to moisturize
- Rinse with cold water and avoid hot tools
- Trim regularly to remove stained ends
- Use a bond builder when dying hair again
Giving your hair a break between colorings allows it to re-stabilize and recover. Limit use of semi-permanent dyes to 6-8 weeks apart. Always do a strand test when applying new dye.
Consider transitioning to vegetable-based dyes without bleaching first. The colors wash out more easily. You can also ask your colorist about options like balayage or highlights that grow out more naturally.
When to Seek Professional Help
While the methods described can effectively remove Punky Color 3 in 1 or similar semi-permanent dyes, it may take patience and several repeated rounds. If you’ve tried these techniques extensively without success, a trip to the salon may be required.
See a professional colorist if:
- No amount of home removal makes a noticeable difference
- Your strands show significant damage from lightening efforts
- You want to avoid the hassle and go straight to bleaching
- You need help determining next steps for your particular situation
With the right products and techniques, professionals can safely remove the most stubborn dyes. Going to the salon also ensures your hair is conditioned and restored properly after processing.
The Bottom Line
Removing Punky Color 3 in 1 or any semi-permanent dye requires breaking down the color molecules deposited on the hair. Methods like baking soda, vitamin C, and hot oil treatments can all be effective when used properly and consistently over time.
Be gradual and gentle as you work to lift the color to avoid excessive dryness and damage. Deep condition regularly during the removal process. If at-home options aren’t making enough impact, seek help from a professional colorist.
With some patience and TLC for your strands, you can successfully remove unwanted semi-permanent hair color. Soon you’ll be ready to experiment with a bold new look.
References
- https://www.matrix.com/blog/remove-semi-permanent-hair-color
- https://www.byrdie.com/remove-hair-color
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/how-to/a28001/how-to-remove-hair-dye/
- https://www.allure.com/story/how-to-remove-hair-dye
- https://www.hairdyegallery.com/gallery-categories/photos-by-style/nggallery/photos-by-style/style-dye-removal